Zulu knife ?
 

Large Bowie style blade total length 17" has anyone seen Zulu's carrying knives? It has a braided wire loop with a really heavy brass chain (looks military) going through it.Would like to hear yous comments chaps.Thanks Graeme.

Graeme

Sorry to say your knife seems to be something one picks up while traveling for pleasure. I have not seen an actual Zulu knife/dagger I saw a sword once but never a dagger. I would think if they did have one it would be similar to Shona daggers? Your knife reminds me of a European naval dagger with the chain and all :shrug:

I have seen and handled this piece when it belonged to a collector not too far from where I live. It is indeed a nice piece. The chain is from military horse trapping. The blade is thin but very sharp. I see no reason it is not Zulu but it could be from many tribes in Southern Africa. We the British pushed then all around.

Tim

I don't think this traditional Zulu dagger style if there ever was one as in the Shona daggers? This just seems to be a tribal copy of a European style dagger with the addition of Zulu wire work art.

Talking about South African wire work. I have this piece. 109cm long I had to do some emergency repair work as there were a few areas where the wire was coming off. I fixed these areas with my own blend of wax and resin gunge much like any "native" would have. The whole thing can be run through your hands without any wire poking out to snag on.

I am not sure about this piece but the wire work is tight and well done its not a bit of tourist tat (i hope and think) .The cross guard could have been made out of a flattened cartridge case .You have seen it Tim shoot from the hip what is your vibe man.

Maybe this piece was made by local a worksman to the style and liking of a European or other non Zulu person ?

Think of the Cikeruh / tjikeroe knives from Java.
They had local craftmanship with foreign style characteristics.

Ok graeme, You got it from an auction house in Dorset. You will find that the chain is just long enough to fit over your shoulder with the knife between your body and arm. The chain is heavy too heavy for a helmet strap.

I spoke with one of the UK's Zulu experts today and he said "Yes. Of course they did buy knives from white traders, and from the 20th c you see odd examples where they've tried to copy these - but they are not true 'Zulu knives'. Cheers! So Graeme yes your knife is of Zulu manufacture but there is no real stylized tribal form. I was also told that the Zulu used unhafted spearheads as daggers.

I have seen a 'sheffield' Bowie with Zulu wirework, no pictures I'm afraid, but was obviously a traded/captured piece.

Regards David

Thanks for your input guys.