Wire work axe

graeme gt · 1st October 2010, 04:36 PM

Thanks guys very informative you might like this one its a tour de force on the wirework front i think its older.

Ron Anderson · 2nd October 2010, 02:57 AM

Another very nice axe!

Definitely older.

I notice this wire isn't two-toned (two colours).

Tim Simmons · 5th October 2010, 07:09 PM

I have had this buried at the back of the toy box because at first glance it appears plain and dull. However on reappraisal and looking at the folding of the matal of the axe blade. It is clear that effort was key to forming this blade. An axe is a good weapon if steel is not the most abundant material to hand. I suspect this axe to be a throwing axe, but have not found any writing that mentions South African throwing axes. The reason I suspect this is that the blade is heavy and as the haft is short, does not feel comfortable to swing with any accurate control in one hand. Swing it to throw and it feels correct.

Ron Anderson · 5th October 2010, 09:24 PM

That's a very big toy box you've got their, Tim.

Will check up on throwing axes. Not too sure either. However, as you know, throwing knives are fairly common a little further north. And I've heard of the practice of throwing clubs.

Tim Simmons · 6th October 2010, 05:48 PM

Yes Ron, know about Southern African throwing clubs but not read anything about axes. Throwing spears and clubs, why not axes? I believe Zulu war was conducted with more than just a stabbing spear.

Ron Anderson · 6th October 2010, 11:22 PM

I do see what you mean.

For a land with such a relentlessly bloody history, and one that continues to be regarded as extremely violent, there does seem to be a shortage of weapons types. And of weapons innovation.

Contrast that to India – regarded as a spiritual haven, a land of enlightenment even. They had every conceivable weapon under the sun. Some of which boggle the imagination.

The problem I think is simply one of knowledge. I studied African history and the fact remains that it is still largely unwritten. History in South Africa in particular really begins with the European arrival.

South African societies have no writing tradition, but do have an oral tradition that hasn't really been explored all that deeply yet. The best way to assess whether or not a throwing axe was likely is to see whether other similar groups slightly north have throwing axes now. Basically, all Southern Africans (with the exception of Kalahari Bushmen) are Bantu-speaking. Their roots are much the same the same as other groups south of the equator. As people, they migrated fairly recently (it seems within the last 500 years or so).

1st October 2010, 04:36 PM	#1
graeme gt Member Join Date: Sep 2008 Posts: 97	Thanks guys very informative you might like this one its a tour de force on the wirework front i think its older. Attached Images

5th October 2010, 07:09 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,745	Just keeping it rolling. I have had this buried at the back of the toy box because at first glance it appears plain and dull. However on reappraisal and looking at the folding of the matal of the axe blade. It is clear that effort was key to forming this blade. An axe is a good weapon if steel is not the most abundant material to hand. I suspect this axe to be a throwing axe, but have not found any writing that mentions South African throwing axes. The reason I suspect this is that the blade is heavy and as the haft is short, does not feel comfortable to swing with any accurate control in one hand. Swing it to throw and it feels correct. Attached Images

2nd October 2010, 02:57 AM	#2
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Another very nice axe! Definitely older. I notice this wire isn't two-toned (two colours).

5th October 2010, 09:24 PM	#4
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	That's a very big toy box you've got their, Tim. Will check up on throwing axes. Not too sure either. However, as you know, throwing knives are fairly common a little further north. And I've heard of the practice of throwing clubs.

6th October 2010, 05:48 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,745	Yes Ron, know about Southern African throwing clubs but not read anything about axes. Throwing spears and clubs, why not axes? I believe Zulu war was conducted with more than just a stabbing spear.

6th October 2010, 11:22 PM	#6
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	I do see what you mean. For a land with such a relentlessly bloody history, and one that continues to be regarded as extremely violent, there does seem to be a shortage of weapons types. And of weapons innovation. Contrast that to India – regarded as a spiritual haven, a land of enlightenment even. They had every conceivable weapon under the sun. Some of which boggle the imagination. The problem I think is simply one of knowledge. I studied African history and the fact remains that it is still largely unwritten. History in South Africa in particular really begins with the European arrival. South African societies have no writing tradition, but do have an oral tradition that hasn't really been explored all that deeply yet. The best way to assess whether or not a throwing axe was likely is to see whether other similar groups slightly north have throwing axes now. Basically, all Southern Africans (with the exception of Kalahari Bushmen) are Bantu-speaking. Their roots are much the same the same as other groups south of the equator. As people, they migrated fairly recently (it seems within the last 500 years or so).