Takouba for coments ... and a question

[Lee]

Fernando, that is a nice takouba you have there. The details on the pommel are a bit different than I have seen before. I believe that this one does have some age to it, though I am not yet skilled enough to discern late 19th from early 20th century against regional variations. The blade looks to be a European import from the moon marks, if it is very springy this would corroborate the impression of European origin. A nice example that I'd not hesitate to add to my own collection...

Originally Posted by katana

Takouba and Kaskara tend to be re-hilted / re-sheathed fairly regularly. My understanding is that, locally, there is no interest or prestige in 'old' hilts, if its worn out ...they are replaced.

The takouba at the top of the page is my 'newest' takouba and at the same instant also my 'oldest' takouba. The mountings are from within the last decade, the European blade is very possibly 17th century and like one of those depicted in Briggs.

I believe the attitude noted above reflects that the sword is still "alive" within that culture, rather than merely an antique curiosity, as is the case with so many of the old weapons we enjoy. If we had an excuse to wear our favorite swords out and about every day, I suspect we also be inclined to keep the mounts up to date and in good repair. I must admit that I would.

Originally Posted by katana

As a footnote, I have also noticed many blades are heavily scratched....I wonder whether sand is used as an abrasive cleaner.

I actually know the answer to this as it was demonstrated to me one night around the campfire, I believe by one of the drivers, who was delighted by the quality of the springy (European) blade of a takouba I had bought in Agadez at the start of the journey. A rounded (desert weathered) stone is used in one hand to hone the blade, grinding parallel to the length of the blade which is held with the other hand over the lap, the blade's tip flat on the side of the foot. This was not a special stone, though I was told favorite stones were kept to be re-used, but merely one picked up after a brief search in the area, which fit the hand well and appeared to be something like quartz.

I kept the stone and the takouba remains a favorite; again an older blade fairly recently remounted. The blue arrows show where the patina of the stone was disturbed by its use to sharpen the sword. The mounts are fairly modern and dressy, but it was the quality of the blade which was delighting our expedition's staff.