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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Mar 2012 
				Location: Belgium 
				
				
					Posts: 132
				 
				
				
				
				
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			I have three similar tools, they look like tattoo knives but large sized (+-40cm). 
		
		
		
			Forged iron with brass inlays. Anyone has an idea about the origin, meaning of these items? Thx.  | 
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		#2 | 
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			 (deceased) 
			
			
			
			Join Date: Dec 2004 
				Location: OKLAHOMA, USA 
				
				
					Posts: 3,138
				 
				
				
				
				
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			THERE WAS A POST ON THESE QUITE A WHILE BACK THEY MAY HAVE BEEN REFERRED TO AS SCARIFICATION KNIVES. IF I REMEMBER CORRECTLY THEY WERE FROM AFRICA AND THERE ARE SEVERAL VARIATIONS IN BLADE SHAPE. THE DECORATION ON YOUR EXAMPLE IS VERY NICE. PERHAPS A SEARCH UNDER SCARIFICATION KNIVES MAY TURN UP THE TOPIC. GOOD LUCK  
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
			 
		Last edited by VANDOO; 21st November 2012 at 04:57 AM.  | 
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		#3 | 
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			Join Date: Jun 2011 
				Location: Abertridwr  
				
				
					Posts: 50
				 
				
				
				
				
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			These remind of similar shapes and decorations seen on the metal type Tuareg spears/lances particulary a type used by the Fulani.
		 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
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		#4 | 
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			 Member 
			
			
			
				
			
			Join Date: Mar 2012 
				Location: Belgium 
				
				
					Posts: 132
				 
				
				
				
				
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			A scarification knive is indeed what I had in mind. 
		
		
		
		
		
		
		
	I'm sure about Africa, but it didn't seem to fit with Central African tribes. I'm glad to read Tuareg as another source made that same suggestion. Thanks guys.  | 
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		#5 | |
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			Join Date: Jul 2006 
				Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE 
				
				
					Posts: 4,408
				 
				
				
				
				
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			 Quote: 
	
 Salaams Pieje ... Did you get a chance to look at scarification knives in the forum Search ? I was amazed to see these as having been used for branding decoration on humans...In Southern Oman branding is carried out as a cure for most ailments and I wondered if the two systems were related... The geometric shapes on the shafts of the branding tools are very similar to ironwork I have seen on Omani artefacts especially large door keys, coffee stirrers and ladles and other iron shafted items ...and some of the Talismanic silver jewellery. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.  | 
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