Owambo knife

mariusgmioc · 14th September 2017, 11:35 AM

Hello Johan,

I don't see anythig "touristy" in your blade. While I know nothing about this type of knives, yours appears to be a very beautiful and genuine example.

I list here a few points that I associate with "tourist" knives:
1. Blades are flat and flimsy, made of sheet steel or stock;
2. Blades are dull, without a cutting edge;
3. Knives often come lavishly decorated (to catch the eye of the less knowledgeable buyer);
4. Decorations are often in complete discord with the ethnic style of the area where they come from (as the makers are trying to make them more in the taste of the prospective buyer... or what they think is the taste of the prospective buyer);
5. Materials are cheap and workmanship is crude.

None of this applies to your knife which I think would be a good addition to any collection of ethnic weapons.

Moreover, I do not think your knife deserves to be called "reproduction." Why reproduction if it is traditionally made by locals? What would differentiate it from the original? How comes that you are so sure it was specifically made for tourist market?

Regards,

Marius

14th September 2017, 11:35 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Hello Johan, I don't see anythig "touristy" in your blade. While I know nothing about this type of knives, yours appears to be a very beautiful and genuine example. I list here a few points that I associate with "tourist" knives: 1. Blades are flat and flimsy, made of sheet steel or stock; 2. Blades are dull, without a cutting edge; 3. Knives often come lavishly decorated (to catch the eye of the less knowledgeable buyer); 4. Decorations are often in complete discord with the ethnic style of the area where they come from (as the makers are trying to make them more in the taste of the prospective buyer... or what they think is the taste of the prospective buyer); 5. Materials are cheap and workmanship is crude. None of this applies to your knife which I think would be a good addition to any collection of ethnic weapons. Moreover, I do not think your knife deserves to be called "reproduction." Why reproduction if it is traditionally made by locals? What would differentiate it from the original? How comes that you are so sure it was specifically made for tourist market? Regards, Marius Last edited by mariusgmioc; 14th September 2017 at 02:32 PM.