What did I buy?

[JeffS]

I just purchased this on Ebay. It seems too short to be a seme. 9" blade 15" OAL

Photo from seller:

http://dizos.com/miscellaneous/DSCN7196_001.JPG

[Atlantia]

Yep, that's what it is. Perhaps for a boy?

[Battara]

I agree with Atlantia.

[JeffS]

Interesting. The hilt also seems disproportionately long. I wonder under what circumstances a boy would merit his own blade in Masai society.

[JeffS]

Received this today. It is really small, seems it would function more as a knife than as a chopper. The sheath and handle appear to be much newer than the forged blade.

[tom hyle]

knives/daggers that are miniaturized vesions of traditional swords and swords that are giantized versions of traditional daggers are common in most cultures.

[Andrew]

Perhaps made for sale to those who travel for pleasure?

[tom hyle]

Perhaps, but I don't see why? Everything looks traditional

[Andrew]

Just conjecture--miniature versions are easier and take less precious materials to make, and are easier to take away as souveniers. :shrug:

[TimW]

I know that many of these pieces have recycled machete blades. This one looks genuine. Maybe the knife was made from a broken good quality blade and rehandled?