Manding stiletto.
 

This is my latest toy which I acquired for the princely sum of four portions if you know what I mean :D The scabbard is almost pristine except for a few damaged tassels and a little dry. The blade shows that there is a respectable age, this has been hidden away for some time. The blade is 31.5cm long and 4mm thick at the piercing tip the edges are not sharp. I think the heavy tip must just be traditional as much as it was ever intended to pierce any link armour. I felt it was worth a look at. Tim

Hi Tim, sorry for the diversion,
How much you pay for fish and chips nowadays ? Everytimes you use this as an "evaluation unit", i remember my short stay in Manchester, back in 1968, when a portion cost two bob .. or was it half crown ?
Just memories
Regards
fernando

Very nice!

Since the traditional West-African warriors did not use any heavy armor, I wonder how this dagger was utilised. Waybe a self-defense weapon ?

Congratulations,

Zan

For huntnig?

A recent tourist knife next to the real thing, the leather is stiff and not quite the same quality, the colour and finish is not nice.

Just a thought:

Could the point be designed to pierce thick leather protection. The point would surely penetrate fairly easily,(causing a 'starter hole' in the leather) as the blade is further thrust inwards the 'splayed' section would then 'open' up the hole previously made by the point and cause a larger, perhaps more lethal wound to the victim. The puncture wound from a very narrow, pointed blade would tend to close up when withdrawn, limiting blood loss/ damage to the opponent.