Nice Old Congo Sword For Comment

ariel · 24th August 2006, 09:03 PM

For me, most if not all Sub-Saharan African swords is a victory of form over function. I just cannot imagine how they could be used effectively, with all those curlicues, outrageous curves, clumsy blades, crude handles and absent points, edges and balance. That's why many of them hang in the museums as forerunners of "abstract" art.

Not that I do not understand people who collect them, but nobody in his right mind would choose one of them as a real weapon....

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th August 2006, 09:13 PM

No problem for use :

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th August 2006, 09:15 PM

No problem for use.

Luc

Mapico1 · 24th August 2006, 09:25 PM

Thanks for replying Luc!!!
I couldn't I'm still in chock after ariel's post

Danny

ariel · 24th August 2006, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mapico1

Thanks for replying Luc!!!
I couldn't I'm still in chock after ariel's post

Danny

Why is it so shocking? Lobbing the head off a sitting and immobilized person can be accomplished with any sharp object (and even not very sharp if long screaming doesn't bother you), especially if a conveniently-placed bent branch tearing his head off is the main component of the act. I am talking about battle use, against an armed, moving and unwilling to be beheaded guy. If you were going to war, would you prefer a Ngombe "beheading" sword or any Middle Eastern, SE Asian , Japanese or European one?
I looked here:
http://www.mambele.be/typology.php
and couldn't find a single one that would fit the bill.
Exotic-looking? Yes. Beautiful? Depends on the taste. Practical? Barely so to resounding "no".
No offence meant. Just practical observation.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th August 2006, 11:42 PM

I think I will take a heavy Salampasu sword for hand to hand:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/salampasu.html
with a Ngombe TK to slow down an assault:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/tk_gbaya_5.html
and this shield to protect from arrows and spears:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/b_wandala_0.html

Luc

Freddy · 25th August 2006, 08:27 AM

Ariel, I agree that some African weapons are 'exotic' looking and that a lot of them would only be used for ceremonial reasons. But bear in mind that most of these 'ceremonial' pieces were developped from the real thing.

Anyway, some African weapons were and are the real thing.

My favourite piece (and I wouldn't be very happy if I received a blow from it)

:

Here's another one : a Shi-sword with a thick and rasor-sharp blade.

Congoblades · 25th August 2006, 07:24 PM

Hi, I think this will do the job also, a solid and sharp sword called Mbeeli ya phoko from the Yaka/Suku, Congo.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 24th August 2006, 09:31 PM

>Luc,
>yours is not only repaired but has a handle of an other trowing knife.....a >Mbanja handle on a Ngbaka top.Piece of metal was to forge both pieces >together and to give support...

That's why it's exceptional ! Surely an only exemple.

Luc

Lew · 24th August 2006, 10:27 PM

Good news

The seller agreed to cut the price by about half so for that price I can live with it but the bad thing is it must be retired from removing heads

Lew

katana · 24th August 2006, 10:34 PM

Well done Lew .....luckily ....there are ethical people out-there

24th August 2006, 09:15 PM	#3
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	No problem for use. Luc Attached Images

25th August 2006, 07:24 PM	#8
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Hi, I think this will do the job also, a solid and sharp sword called Mbeeli ya phoko from the Yaka/Suku, Congo. Attached Images

24th August 2006, 09:31 PM	#9
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	>Luc, >yours is not only repaired but has a handle of an other trowing knife.....a >Mbanja handle on a Ngbaka top.Piece of metal was to forge both pieces >together and to give support... That's why it's exceptional ! Surely an only exemple. Luc Attached Images

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24th August 2006, 09:03 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	For me, most if not all Sub-Saharan African swords is a victory of form over function. I just cannot imagine how they could be used effectively, with all those curlicues, outrageous curves, clumsy blades, crude handles and absent points, edges and balance. That's why many of them hang in the museums as forerunners of "abstract" art. Not that I do not understand people who collect them, but nobody in his right mind would choose one of them as a real weapon....

24th August 2006, 09:13 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	No problem for use :

24th August 2006, 09:25 PM	#4
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	Thanks for replying Luc!!! I couldn't I'm still in chock after ariel's post Danny

24th August 2006, 11:42 PM	#6
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	I think I will take a heavy Salampasu sword for hand to hand: http://lulef.free.fr/html/salampasu.html with a Ngombe TK to slow down an assault: http://lulef.free.fr/html/tk_gbaya_5.html and this shield to protect from arrows and spears: http://lulef.free.fr/html/b_wandala_0.html Luc

25th August 2006, 08:27 AM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Ariel, I agree that some African weapons are 'exotic' looking and that a lot of them would only be used for ceremonial reasons. But bear in mind that most of these 'ceremonial' pieces were developped from the real thing. Anyway, some African weapons were and are the real thing. My favourite piece (and I wouldn't be very happy if I received a blow from it) : Here's another one : a Shi-sword with a thick and rasor-sharp blade.

24th August 2006, 10:27 PM	#10
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Good news The seller agreed to cut the price by about half so for that price I can live with it but the bad thing is it must be retired from removing heads Lew

24th August 2006, 10:34 PM	#11
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Well done Lew .....luckily ....there are ethical people out-there