Kuba dagger

Marcus · 5th July 2016, 01:20 PM

I think it is quite likely that some sort of finish was applied. Of course it is the custom with modern firearms to "blue" the steel (a controlled form of surface rusting) and WWII British pistols were blackens and marked "war finish".

Pieje · 8th July 2016, 12:33 PM

Hi Marcus,

What you have is a good old Kuba Ikul knife (+-1900-1920 is my guess).
Check if yours have a cutting edge (I suspect yes).

These knives are often partially blackened using a palm oil, like this one..

Most of the above examples are overcleaned or, not (fully) cleaned (leaving their patina). I wouldn't touch yours too much..

Pieje · 8th July 2016, 12:51 PM

I forgot to say that these have indeed a mostly ceremonial purpose (for that raison these are often not sharpened). If I'm not wrong, Ikul (designation of this type of knife) means something like "ceremonial knife".

5th July 2016, 01:20 PM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	finishing I think it is quite likely that some sort of finish was applied. Of course it is the custom with modern firearms to "blue" the steel (a controlled form of surface rusting) and WWII British pistols were blackens and marked "war finish".

8th July 2016, 12:33 PM	#2
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Hi Marcus, What you have is a good old Kuba Ikul knife (+-1900-1920 is my guess). Check if yours have a cutting edge (I suspect yes). These knives are often partially blackened using a palm oil, like this one.. Most of the above examples are overcleaned or, not (fully) cleaned (leaving their patina). I wouldn't touch yours too much.. Attached Images

8th July 2016, 12:51 PM	#3
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	I forgot to say that these have indeed a mostly ceremonial purpose (for that raison these are often not sharpened). If I'm not wrong, Ikul (designation of this type of knife) means something like "ceremonial knife".