African (?) knife

Yvain · 13th January 2022, 08:41 AM

Wow that's amazing Drac2k!

I didn't expect the actual owner of it to show up! Do you happen to have better pictures of it, and would you mind sharing them here? Do you have any additional information about its provenance?

David R · 13th January 2022, 10:48 AM

I would not make any judgements based on a scabbard, dealers have a habit of mix and match.

I was once offered a really nice small Dha, in a steel bayonet scabbard, and I asked if he had the original that came with it. He did, and so I bought the piece.... he had swapped scabbards because he thought the steel bayonet scabbard made it more saleable.

Yvain · 13th January 2022, 11:06 AM

David,

While I definitely agree with you on the principle, I think that it might be more significant in this case, since the sheath fits the knife perfectly (even following the shape of the blade), and, more importantly, since at least one other example (Drac2k's sword) displays a similar sheath. More pictures of Drac2k's sword would certainly allow us to learn more on the subject.

drac2k · 13th January 2022, 03:03 PM

Sure thing. While all things are possible, my bet is on African; also the scabbard fits perfectly(what is left of it).

Yvain · 13th January 2022, 06:35 PM

Thank you very much for the pictures Drac2k ! It's truly amazing how similar they are, did a quick and dirty comparison between the two. How long is the sword approximately ?

Regarding the sheath, it definitely looks African (Mandingo ?) to me, and I'm starting to doubt that two very similar faca de ponta somehow ending up in African sheaths is a coincidence. I definitely need do to more research !

Martin Lubojacky · 14th January 2022, 08:18 PM

Enclosed is photo of scabbard from Mali with a typical cord fastening

David R · 14th January 2022, 08:46 PM

I wonder to what extent we are being led astray by perceived similarities, possibly due to a common origin, and possibly due to convergent evolution.... I am thinking of the stacked grips, which do have differences in construction, and appearance.
I also wonder to what extent the European blade makers were finishing their product, were they fitting the hilts up to the markets taste, or just exporting bare blades.

13th January 2022, 03:03 PM	#4
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,255	Sure thing. While all things are possible, my bet is on African; also the scabbard fits perfectly(what is left of it). Attached Images

13th January 2022, 06:35 PM	#5
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	Thank you very much for the pictures Drac2k ! It's truly amazing how similar they are, did a quick and dirty comparison between the two. How long is the sword approximately ? Regarding the sheath, it definitely looks African (Mandingo ?) to me, and I'm starting to doubt that two very similar faca de ponta somehow ending up in African sheaths is a coincidence. I definitely need do to more research ! Attached Images

14th January 2022, 08:18 PM	#6
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 843	Enclosed is photo of scabbard from Mali with a typical cord fastening Attached Images

13th January 2022, 08:41 AM	#1
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	Wow that's amazing Drac2k! I didn't expect the actual owner of it to show up! Do you happen to have better pictures of it, and would you mind sharing them here? Do you have any additional information about its provenance?

13th January 2022, 10:48 AM	#2
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,119	I would not make any judgements based on a scabbard, dealers have a habit of mix and match. I was once offered a really nice small Dha, in a steel bayonet scabbard, and I asked if he had the original that came with it. He did, and so I bought the piece.... he had swapped scabbards because he thought the steel bayonet scabbard made it more saleable.

13th January 2022, 11:06 AM	#3
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	David, While I definitely agree with you on the principle, I think that it might be more significant in this case, since the sheath fits the knife perfectly (even following the shape of the blade), and, more importantly, since at least one other example (Drac2k's sword) displays a similar sheath. More pictures of Drac2k's sword would certainly allow us to learn more on the subject.

14th January 2022, 08:46 PM	#7
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,119	I wonder to what extent we are being led astray by perceived similarities, possibly due to a common origin, and possibly due to convergent evolution.... I am thinking of the stacked grips, which do have differences in construction, and appearance. I also wonder to what extent the European blade makers were finishing their product, were they fitting the hilts up to the markets taste, or just exporting bare blades.