Strange unknown knife for id

Freddy · 16th November 2005, 07:51 PM

Here is the promised photo. The decoration on this axe blade is crude. The maker even tried to sharpen the edge. Also the way it is fastened to the shaft is very crude. It looks like it was riveted to a piece of iron (?) which goes through the shaft.

I have no idea about the age of this piece. Probably it is something which was collected in Congo during the first half of the 20th century. I got it from a reputable African art dealer.

Tim Simmons · 16th November 2005, 08:01 PM

Aluminium history, world production did not really take off untill the 1920s. Look here, www.world-aluminium.org . Tim

Freddy · 16th November 2005, 08:52 PM

Here's another axe with aluminium blade (I think).

My guess is that it comes from West-Africa. Very strange blade, but the way it is set into the blade and also the decoration on the axe handle point in the direction of Mende in Sierra Leone.

total length : 37,5 cm
blade : 13,7 cm x 10,5 cm

Tim Simmons · 16th November 2005, 08:54 PM

Very, very nice!!!

Freddy · 16th November 2005, 09:11 PM

Here's a 'normal' Mende axe :

With a common iron blade and some copper decoration.

Total length : 43 cm
Axe blade : 15 cm

Tim Simmons · 16th November 2005, 09:18 PM

The geometry on the aluminium blade with the dark wood appeals to me most of all. looks like quite a special thing, I like the other one to but not as much. You got some nice stuff

Tim.

Justin · 12th December 2005, 12:28 AM

Sorry for the long delay on pics, but finally, here they are:

16th November 2005, 08:52 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	another one with aluminium Here's another axe with aluminium blade (I think). My guess is that it comes from West-Africa. Very strange blade, but the way it is set into the blade and also the decoration on the axe handle point in the direction of Mende in Sierra Leone. total length : 37,5 cm blade : 13,7 cm x 10,5 cm

12th December 2005, 12:28 AM	#7
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 184	Sorry for the long delay on pics, but finally, here they are: Attached Images

16th November 2005, 07:51 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here is the promised photo. The decoration on this axe blade is crude. The maker even tried to sharpen the edge. Also the way it is fastened to the shaft is very crude. It looks like it was riveted to a piece of iron (?) which goes through the shaft. I have no idea about the age of this piece. Probably it is something which was collected in Congo during the first half of the 20th century. I got it from a reputable African art dealer.

16th November 2005, 08:01 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,939	Aluminium history, world production did not really take off untill the 1920s. Look here, www.world-aluminium.org . Tim

16th November 2005, 08:54 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,939	Very, very nice!!!

16th November 2005, 09:11 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here's a 'normal' Mende axe : With a common iron blade and some copper decoration. Total length : 43 cm Axe blade : 15 cm

16th November 2005, 09:18 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,939	The geometry on the aluminium blade with the dark wood appeals to me most of all. looks like quite a special thing, I like the other one to but not as much. You got some nice stuff Tim.