New African (?) sickle knife

Freddy · 26th November 2010, 12:25 PM

Just came back from the weekly antiques market in Gent (Belgium)....and I found this sickle knife which intrigues me.

At first sight, it is not the typical African sickle knife as we all know. I'm not even sure it's African

The wooden handle is embellished with copper nails and shows a good patina.

The metal blade is sharpened on the inside. Near the handle it's 8 mm thick. It also has 6 holes drilled into the top part. There's also an iron ferrule between the handle and the blade.

Total length is 63 cm (from bottom of handle to tip of the blade).

Does anyone has an idea ?

Freddy · 27th November 2010, 01:25 PM

No one has a comment ?

Luc ?

colin henshaw · 27th November 2010, 01:44 PM

Unusual piece - I have never seen one like it. The iron round the handle near the blade appears on some small Chokwe knives, and holes in the blade are not uncommon on Congo weapons, as are the brass studs...

Regards.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 27th November 2010, 05:31 PM

No idea, sorry.
Maybe more a tool than a weapon ?

Lew · 28th November 2010, 04:35 AM

Freddy

That blade seems quite thick for an African blade even kukri like in appearance? Do you think this was converted from some other knife or tool? Still I like it,very cool

ronpakis · 28th November 2010, 04:32 PM

hi freddy,

it reminds me of a javanese tool for cutting crops, kudi type. should be found in different books on this matter. zonneveld?

greets ron

fearn · 28th November 2010, 05:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Freddy

That blade seems quite thick for an African blade even kukri like in appearance? Do you think this was converted from some other knife or tool? Still I like it,very cool

Hi Lew,

Wasn't there a thread back in the mists that talked about old African weapons being thick and fully functional?

To me, that handle looks African, but who knows? We're in a global world, and maybe an African artist got inspired by something he saw in a Korean factory...

Anyway, I'm not bothered by a thick blade.

Best,

F

Lew · 28th November 2010, 05:52 PM

Fearn

The hilt seems to be from an old 19th century tool so maybe this was converted into the knife we see here today. Luc also can not place it and he has probably seen them all

26th November 2010, 12:25 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	New African (?) sickle knife Just came back from the weekly antiques market in Gent (Belgium)....and I found this sickle knife which intrigues me. At first sight, it is not the typical African sickle knife as we all know. I'm not even sure it's African The wooden handle is embellished with copper nails and shows a good patina. The metal blade is sharpened on the inside. Near the handle it's 8 mm thick. It also has 6 holes drilled into the top part. There's also an iron ferrule between the handle and the blade. Total length is 63 cm (from bottom of handle to tip of the blade). Does anyone has an idea ?

27th November 2010, 01:25 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Any ideas ? No one has a comment ? Luc ?

28th November 2010, 04:32 PM	#6
ronpakis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: netherlands Posts: 75	cickle knife hi freddy, it reminds me of a javanese tool for cutting crops, kudi type. should be found in different books on this matter. zonneveld? greets ron

27th November 2010, 01:44 PM	#3
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	Unusual piece - I have never seen one like it. The iron round the handle near the blade appears on some small Chokwe knives, and holes in the blade are not uncommon on Congo weapons, as are the brass studs... Regards.

27th November 2010, 05:31 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	No idea, sorry. Maybe more a tool than a weapon ?

28th November 2010, 04:35 AM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Freddy That blade seems quite thick for an African blade even kukri like in appearance? Do you think this was converted from some other knife or tool? Still I like it,very cool

28th November 2010, 05:52 PM	#8
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Fearn The hilt seems to be from an old 19th century tool so maybe this was converted into the knife we see here today. Luc also can not place it and he has probably seen them all