Mid 20th cent Saka knife?

Tim Simmons · 14th September 2006, 01:37 PM

Just arrived today. As lew has mentioned, smelling of wood smoke. Presumably straight from the sellers runner, collected for the trade, not that that is a bad thing. The red disc on the handle is plastic/polythene which dates it as absolutely no earlier than 1933. I have cleaned the blade and for the money I think looks not half bad. The blade is a thin lazy "S" section with a slight midrib. The handle is a little wormy.

Freddy · 14th September 2006, 06:55 PM

Very nice, Tim.

Be sure to treat the handle against woodwurm. It would be a shame if it infects your entire collection.

I don't mind the plastic addition. I could be that the owner wanted to 'embellish' his knife with a foreign product. Perhaps to give it more power. This is frequently seen on African fetishes.

You mention that the piece smells of wood smoke. With African artifacts you have to be careful with this. A gallery owner once told me that a lot of new 'old artifacts' are given this smell to make them authentic. So be aware when you buy something which 'smells'.

Tim Simmons · 14th September 2006, 07:04 PM

I agree with the caution about wood smoke smells. I am not worried about this piece and I like the plastic disc, I can imagine an object like that could look pretty far out to an isolated village boy. You are putting the wind up about wood worm

I will get down to the DIY store tomorrow. It is Saka? or near folk.

Freddy · 14th September 2006, 07:52 PM

I think you're right with Saka. The Kusu and Tetela have similar shaped knives, but the blades are more slender.

When I have an object that has active woodwurm, I put it into the refrigerator for a month or so. That also kills the bug

. But this is only possible with small objects.

As to plastic on African items. Look at this Luba axe. The red circles are, in my opinion, plastic (?) rings used by a plumber.

Tim Simmons · 14th September 2006, 08:04 PM

Wife. Put it in the refrigerator? No No No

Freddy · 14th September 2006, 08:22 PM

You have to bring it to her very gently.

They get used to it

14th September 2006, 01:37 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Mid 20th cent Saka knife? Just arrived today. As lew has mentioned, smelling of wood smoke. Presumably straight from the sellers runner, collected for the trade, not that that is a bad thing. The red disc on the handle is plastic/polythene which dates it as absolutely no earlier than 1933. I have cleaned the blade and for the money I think looks not half bad. The blade is a thin lazy "S" section with a slight midrib. The handle is a little wormy. Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 14th September 2006 at 02:07 PM.

14th September 2006, 06:55 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very nice, Tim. Be sure to treat the handle against woodwurm. It would be a shame if it infects your entire collection. I don't mind the plastic addition. I could be that the owner wanted to 'embellish' his knife with a foreign product. Perhaps to give it more power. This is frequently seen on African fetishes. You mention that the piece smells of wood smoke. With African artifacts you have to be careful with this. A gallery owner once told me that a lot of new 'old artifacts' are given this smell to make them authentic. So be aware when you buy something which 'smells'.

14th September 2006, 07:04 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I agree with the caution about wood smoke smells. I am not worried about this piece and I like the plastic disc, I can imagine an object like that could look pretty far out to an isolated village boy. You are putting the wind up about wood worm I will get down to the DIY store tomorrow. It is Saka? or near folk.

14th September 2006, 07:52 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I think you're right with Saka. The Kusu and Tetela have similar shaped knives, but the blades are more slender. When I have an object that has active woodwurm, I put it into the refrigerator for a month or so. That also kills the bug . But this is only possible with small objects. As to plastic on African items. Look at this Luba axe. The red circles are, in my opinion, plastic (?) rings used by a plumber.

14th September 2006, 08:04 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Wife. Put it in the refrigerator? No No No

14th September 2006, 08:22 PM	#6
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You have to bring it to her very gently. They get used to it