Latest kaskara for comment

Jim McDougall · 27th December 2020, 03:58 AM

This blade reminds me of the kinds of Solingen blades that indeed came through Ethiopia in latter 19th c. and often after being mounted with rhino horn hilts were sent to San'aa in Yemen. The rhino from the hilts was of course highly sought for use on janbiyya daggers. The blades were then remounted
with various silver hilts and resulted in unusual combinations, often there would be Amharic inscriptions .

The kaskara was of course well known in Ethiopia as well as Eritrea, and these blades recirculating over generations were likely remounted many times. I think Ed has the best perception of these remounts by the character of the guards etc. as described in the work he has done from outstanding field work in the Sudan and presented here.

27th December 2020, 03:58 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,195	This blade reminds me of the kinds of Solingen blades that indeed came through Ethiopia in latter 19th c. and often after being mounted with rhino horn hilts were sent to San'aa in Yemen. The rhino from the hilts was of course highly sought for use on janbiyya daggers. The blades were then remounted with various silver hilts and resulted in unusual combinations, often there would be Amharic inscriptions . The kaskara was of course well known in Ethiopia as well as Eritrea, and these blades recirculating over generations were likely remounted many times. I think Ed has the best perception of these remounts by the character of the guards etc. as described in the work he has done from outstanding field work in the Sudan and presented here.