Old African knives

[colin henshaw]

Originally Posted by Pieje

I only speak about cleaning/preserving the metal, which is not the same as altering a weapon by sharpening its edge or colouring feathers.
Cleaning would reveal details of the forging process, beautiful patterns or copper decorations/inlay.
Daily use would keep the weapons in good condition. If stored or unused for a long time, they get dirty and rusty. Rust is not a patina.

I’ll add as an example some pictures of a nice sword from South Congo. The first picture is when I bought it. When cleaning I’ve found a nice surprise in the form of a great and unusual decoration (figure and flower) and 2 tribal repairs, a brass and lead inlay probably to fill up gaps that occurred while forging the blade.

I believe Pieje's stance on cleaning to be correct, and he has explained/illustrated his reasoning clearly and succinctly. But of course, great care must be taken in the cleaning process. If in doubt best to leave alone.

Great Congo knife by the way, never seen an incised human figure on these before !

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

I believe Pieje's stance on cleaning to be correct, and he has explained/illustrated his reasoning clearly and succinctly. But of course, great care must be taken in the cleaning process. If in doubt best to leave alone.

Agree complete!

[Pieje]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Great Congo knife by the way, never seen an incised human figure on these before !

Me neither!
I also have a Benge sword (Congo) in my collection with a human figure, but this type of decoration is very rarely seen on Congo blades.

[gp]

Hereby 3 daggers of mine: all Congolese, purchased from the collection of a Belgian monastery in Belgium which closed its doors recently
All dated before 1940 ( gifts from missionaries between 1910 - 1939)

the biggest one: Saka Mongo

Length 52 cm, handle 17 cm, blade 35 cm (top width 11,5 cm)

the middle one with the "eye": Ba - Tetela

Length 41 cm, handle 10,5 cm, eye 5 to 6 cm, blade 24 cm ( top width 9 cm )

the smallest one Kuba / Tetela :

Length 24 cm, handle 8 cm, blade15,5 cm ( top width 10,5 cm )

[gp]

2nd one

[gp]

3rd one

[gp]

and 2 short swords of the Boa : handle iron with copper 42 cm , blade 34 cm also before 1940

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Another example of cleaning.

[gp]

Originally Posted by gp

and 2 short swords of the Boa : handle iron with copper 42 cm , blade 34 cm also before 1940

so what would be your advice concering cleaning these 2 Boa knives:
leave it as they presently are or still clean it? thnx a lot