Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Zanzibar/Yemen Saif with an Ethiopian Blade

roanoa · 12th March 2009, 06:33 AM

Hi guys. Very interesting sword. A few quick notes. MK in a circle is found on many Ethiopian blades. I believe it is a trademark of M. KEVORKOFF & Co. - Harrar. The "star of David" is a British proof mark used by many sword makers, not just Wilkinson. The "star" was applied to blades for every country, not just Ethiopia. Of course, the Ethiopian were particularly fond of that simbol, being of Solomonic descent. But that was just, can I say, a coincidence. Lastly, at the risk of "shocking" someone, I would say that the blade was originally straight. Any competent blacksmith would be able to heat "bend" a straight blade. I have seen with my own eyes a smith make a perfectly curved shotel out of a very straight blade. Cheers.

12th March 2009, 06:33 AM	#5
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 230	Hi guys. Very interesting sword. A few quick notes. MK in a circle is found on many Ethiopian blades. I believe it is a trademark of M. KEVORKOFF & Co. - Harrar. The "star of David" is a British proof mark used by many sword makers, not just Wilkinson. The "star" was applied to blades for every country, not just Ethiopia. Of course, the Ethiopian were particularly fond of that simbol, being of Solomonic descent. But that was just, can I say, a coincidence. Lastly, at the risk of "shocking" someone, I would say that the blade was originally straight. Any competent blacksmith would be able to heat "bend" a straight blade. I have seen with my own eyes a smith make a perfectly curved shotel out of a very straight blade. Cheers. Last edited by roanoa; 12th March 2009 at 07:09 AM.