Sickle for comment - tool or weapon?

[shayde78]

Originally Posted by Rick

Beg to disagree, that's flat copper wound around above the rattan. That stuff was a common trade item in Africa back in the day.

Ha! My eyes are evidently worse than my camera! Shawn and Rick, you are correct. Those are thin, flat strips of copper. When I realized this last night, I was wondering if this copper would ever be pulled off and used as currency? This would turn the hilt into a wallet or purse, of sorts.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by shayde78

Ha! My eyes are evidently worse than my camera! Shawn and Rick, you are correct. Those are thin, flat strips of copper. When I realized this last night, I was wondering if this copper would ever be pulled off and used as currency? This would turn the hilt into a wallet or purse, of sorts.

Hello Shayde,

I don't know who Shawn is! I see on your pictures directly under the plant fiber a binding most possible from irion, test it by magnet, I bet that I am correct.
Down from the handle I see renants from a former longer copper binding.
The plant fiber binding isn't rattan IMVHO.

Regards,
Detlef

[Duccio]

Originally Posted by Sajen

The plant fiber binding isn't rattan IMVHO.

Sajen, sorry, but I don't understand why you say that in your opinion that is not rattan ... to me it appears that there are various species of plants called "rattan" also in Africa, and that these plants are used in the same way as in Asia.
Am I wrong?
On the other hand, I believe that it can be said with certainty that it is not an agricultural tool, in consideration of the vegetable intertwining, which certainly has no functional purposes, but only aesthetic purposes, and which is in a position such as to be easily destroyed during the work. I think it is more likely a ritual object, in fact the use of scythes is very frequent and documented, in the course of dances and rituals connected to the harvest, and consequently to fertility.
Saluti.
Duccio

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Duccio

Sajen, sorry, but I don't understand why you say that in your opinion that is not rattan ... to me it appears that there are various species of plants called "rattan" also in Africa, and that these plants are used in the same way as in Asia.
Am I wrong?

Hello Duccio,

So far I know is the real rattan from South-East-Asia and coming from a palm, Calamus Rotang, see here: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Calamus_rotang

Best regards,
Detlef