Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post - Zulu spear/knobkerrie 'combo'....Fantasy piece ??

katana · 16th March 2009, 12:37 PM

Thats a very nice spear Colin,
but the finial on yours is shaped, and looks to be ideal for extra grip. The knobkerrie 'end' of the eBay version would not aid grip. It could, possibly provide some weight to balance the spear. The 'knob' looks 'turned' (ie lathe), but , as Lew has said the pictures are fuzzy (perhaps deliberately

). The shape of the spearhead is not typical Zulu, seems much more trianglated. The spearhead and metal shaft is stated as 13.5 " long, 3.5" of wirework with an OAL of 44". To use as a knobkerrie you would have to hold it on or above the wirework.....leaving approx a third of the entire spear pretruding below the gripping hand...which is likely to injure the 'wielder' in the heat of battle

I have not seen any reference to Zulu's using such a weapon.
Although I like the idea of the spear/knobkerrie combo....I question its functionality in battle .....I believe this is likely either...

a ceremonial / dance piece or some sort of 'Victoriana' fantasy piece

I have just noticed that even though the pictures are poor...the 'knob' of the knobkerrie is 'shiny' and has a different look / colour to the shaft.....a later addition ??

Kind Regards David

16th March 2009, 12:37 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thats a very nice spear Colin, but the finial on yours is shaped, and looks to be ideal for extra grip. The knobkerrie 'end' of the eBay version would not aid grip. It could, possibly provide some weight to balance the spear. The 'knob' looks 'turned' (ie lathe), but , as Lew has said the pictures are fuzzy (perhaps deliberately ). The shape of the spearhead is not typical Zulu, seems much more trianglated. The spearhead and metal shaft is stated as 13.5 " long, 3.5" of wirework with an OAL of 44". To use as a knobkerrie you would have to hold it on or above the wirework.....leaving approx a third of the entire spear pretruding below the gripping hand...which is likely to injure the 'wielder' in the heat of battle I have not seen any reference to Zulu's using such a weapon. Although I like the idea of the spear/knobkerrie combo....I question its functionality in battle .....I believe this is likely either... a ceremonial / dance piece or some sort of 'Victoriana' fantasy piece I have just noticed that even though the pictures are poor...the 'knob' of the knobkerrie is 'shiny' and has a different look / colour to the shaft.....a later addition ?? Kind Regards David Attached Images Last edited by katana; 16th March 2009 at 01:17 PM.