African ? knife for I.D. and comment

Tim Simmons · 16th December 2009, 08:14 PM

Colin, I do not think this knife is African. In my opinion it is North Indian, Afghan.

Lew · 17th December 2009, 03:24 AM

Could be Algerian?

Rick · 17th December 2009, 03:55 AM

The bolsters whisper Pashto in my ear .

My .02

Jim McDougall · 17th December 2009, 03:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

The bolsters whisper Pashto in my ear .

My .02

Good call Rick! The little 'solar' dot motif (though I know is seen elsewhere) is extremely well known in Afghan regions...remember the lohars with these?
The "Great Game" is afoot

All the best,
Jim

Rick · 17th December 2009, 04:16 AM

Good point Jim, about the circles on the scales .

The steel bolsters just look Indian/Afghan (to me) with that little step down to the blade .

Lew · 17th December 2009, 10:07 PM

The same design is found in North African. Below is a Hausa dagger with the same motif.

Gavin Nugent · 17th December 2009, 10:14 PM

The same circle motif is found in China/Vietnam/Loas and I am sure other localities close to these regions...I have a few pieces supporting this.

As for this knife presented, as noted by Rick, the only other factor to look at on this knife is the bolsters, not much else reveals it's true nature. I would go with the Afghan regions looking at the "crude" (for want of a better word) workmanship, the bolsters, the bone hilt slabs and the circle motifs.

Gav

17th December 2009, 10:07 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The same design is found in North African. Below is a Hausa dagger with the same motif. Attached Images

17th December 2009, 10:14 PM	#7
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	The circles The same circle motif is found in China/Vietnam/Loas and I am sure other localities close to these regions...I have a few pieces supporting this. As for this knife presented, as noted by Rick, the only other factor to look at on this knife is the bolsters, not much else reveals it's true nature. I would go with the Afghan regions looking at the "crude" (for want of a better word) workmanship, the bolsters, the bone hilt slabs and the circle motifs. Gav

16th December 2009, 08:14 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	Colin, I do not think this knife is African. In my opinion it is North Indian, Afghan.

17th December 2009, 03:24 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Could be Algerian?

17th December 2009, 03:55 AM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	The bolsters whisper Pashto in my ear . My .02

17th December 2009, 04:16 AM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Good point Jim, about the circles on the scales . The steel bolsters just look Indian/Afghan (to me) with that little step down to the blade .