Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons
FAQ Calendar Today's Posts Search

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 13th July 2014, 01:03 AM   #1
Montino Bourbon
Member
 
Montino Bourbon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Posts: 301
Default African knife with copper (?) blade. Info requested!

Yep, from that swap meet again... a little (11 inches full length, blade 7 1/2 inches) knife, one side with fine serrations, the other side quite sharp. Good forging, with a double medial ridge. Very simple handle, wood. Provenance? Age? Help!
Attached Images
   
Montino Bourbon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 13th July 2014, 03:42 AM   #2
Battara
EAAF Staff
 
Battara's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Louisville, KY
Posts: 7,219
Default

All I can tell you is that this is indeed copper, which, if I understand correctly, is used only by nobility in parts of Africa.
Battara is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 26th September 2017, 07:41 PM   #3
shayde78
Member
 
shayde78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 445
Default thread revival

So I was looking through old threads to try to find information on another copper/bronze blade I posted in its own thread. However, the comment here that copper was sometimes used for African blades to denote status and/or rank made me think of another item I have. The leather work seems decidedly African (the last two pics should show the hilt and sheath stitching). The blade is decidedly copper. When I bought it, I took the chance that the color of the blade was a weird photo trick from the flash, knowing that it was probably not steel, though. When I saw it in person, I presumed the copper blade was something unloaded on tourists. However, if there is a chance this could have some greater significance, I'm eager to learn more.

Thanks,
-Rob
Attached Images
     
shayde78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th September 2017, 12:28 PM   #4
Pieje
Member
 
Pieje's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2012
Location: Belgium
Posts: 132
Default

Definitely African, probably central Africa.
I own several copper bladed knives and spears. These are not suited to be used as a weapon by the softness of copper, but are indeed symbols of status, used as money etc.

The last knife with scabbard is not very old, and might originate from North Africa.
Attached Images
 
Pieje is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 1st October 2017, 01:47 AM   #5
shayde78
Member
 
shayde78's Avatar
 
Join Date: Mar 2017
Posts: 445
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Pieje

The last knife with scabbard is not very old, and might originate from North Africa.

Thanks Pieje!
Regarding the last knife, being of recent manufacture, what is the reason for the copper blade...prestige or a cheap trinket?? Given the cost of copper vs. steel, seems a steal blade would be the more economical choice, no?
shayde78 is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply


Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:20 AM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.