Small = Nice !

elevennevele · 7th August 2007, 04:24 AM

I'm starting to get dizzy...

I wonder if this is the usual case of treasuring something more with additional information, or has the item become something more than one bargained for. One question though... the scarab is clearly phallic, however why does the blade edge of this knife look battered/ragged in such a way if it was to perform circumcisions? I'm not sure if I would want to hear the testimonial of the recipient of this knife.

Ok, starting to get dizzy again...

Freddy · 7th August 2007, 06:53 PM

I don't know if it's a circumcision knife. The edge of the blade is too serrated and I don't think it's sharp enough to do the job.

On the other hand, Bill, you could be right as to the phallic shape of the hilt. In African art this is often used. Could have some symbolic meaning.

Flavio · 7th August 2007, 07:17 PM

From the pommel on the hilt seems to me Manding. Very nice!

Tim Simmons · 7th August 2007, 07:23 PM

I think you are right Flavio. Certainly that area.

Freddy · 7th August 2007, 07:59 PM

You could be right, Flavio. Also the leather loop at the back of the sheath reminds me of Manding knives.

But, if it's not a circumcision knife, why would anyone want such a small knife ? Perhaps a woman's knife ?

Ik know the women of the Mangbetu tribe have small daggers for daily use. They have the same shape as the daggers used by men, only the size is different (much smaller).

CourseEight · 8th August 2007, 10:31 PM

Hi --

I got this knife on ebay a bit ago, and it seems similar to yours in size and configuration. What with the leather tassles, from what I have seen elsewhere on the forum, mine certainly looks Manding. Also, it seems the tip of the scabbard is designed to hold the tassles, so maybe it isn't intentionally phallic?

Hope this is helpful...

--Radleigh

8th August 2007, 10:31 PM	#6
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Similar Knife Hi -- I got this knife on ebay a bit ago, and it seems similar to yours in size and configuration. What with the leather tassles, from what I have seen elsewhere on the forum, mine certainly looks Manding. Also, it seems the tip of the scabbard is designed to hold the tassles, so maybe it isn't intentionally phallic? Hope this is helpful... --Radleigh Attached Images

7th August 2007, 04:24 AM	#1
elevennevele Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Canada Posts: 11	I'm starting to get dizzy... I wonder if this is the usual case of treasuring something more with additional information, or has the item become something more than one bargained for. One question though... the scarab is clearly phallic, however why does the blade edge of this knife look battered/ragged in such a way if it was to perform circumcisions? I'm not sure if I would want to hear the testimonial of the recipient of this knife. Ok, starting to get dizzy again...

7th August 2007, 06:53 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I don't know if it's a circumcision knife. The edge of the blade is too serrated and I don't think it's sharp enough to do the job. On the other hand, Bill, you could be right as to the phallic shape of the hilt. In African art this is often used. Could have some symbolic meaning.

7th August 2007, 07:17 PM	#3
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	From the pommel on the hilt seems to me Manding. Very nice!

7th August 2007, 07:23 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I think you are right Flavio. Certainly that area.

7th August 2007, 07:59 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	You could be right, Flavio. Also the leather loop at the back of the sheath reminds me of Manding knives. But, if it's not a circumcision knife, why would anyone want such a small knife ? Perhaps a woman's knife ? Ik know the women of the Mangbetu tribe have small daggers for daily use. They have the same shape as the daggers used by men, only the size is different (much smaller).