An odd one

Freddy · 21st November 2006, 08:25 PM

Last week, I was able to purchase two swords on a belgian auction site. The picture was bad and the seller did not know what he was offering.

One piece was a ordinary Konda sword as can be found very frequently. When I got it, I was surprised to see that it had a copper blade.

The second piece is something different. At first sight (on a bad picture) it looked like a Yaka-sword with part of the handle missing.
After receiving it, my first thought was right. This sword is Yaka. It has the same slender form and the decoration is typical : two dotted lines running the length of the blade.
Strangely enough the base of the sword blade is extremely thick : 2,2 cm near the handle. I have never seen this on an African blade (but I'm still young

)
The handle itself is made of wood, partially covered with leather (at least, I think it's leather).

Total length : 60 cm
Handle : 11,5 cm
width of blade : max. 4,5 cm

Who has an idea on this piece ? Luc ? Tim ? Flavio ?

In order to compare, here's a picture of this piece, next to a Yaka-sword

Freddy · 21st November 2006, 08:28 PM

Here's the other piece : the Konda-sword.

Length : 38 cm

katana · 21st November 2006, 10:42 PM

Hi Freddy, that first sword certainly looks like it has some 'balance' with the extra weight at the handle end. Do you think that it may have a 'full tang' with covered wooden 'scales'. Certainly does not seem to be ceremonial.Very nice 'addition'.....especially when you took a risk with those blurry pictures

Tim Simmons · 22nd November 2006, 05:54 PM

How long is the Yaka sword? I have never seen one like this before. It must be quite heavy at the handle. From what you show it looks as though it is a short one. I have a brass Konda. it seems that the non ferrous one are a little harder to find.

Freddy · 22nd November 2006, 08:13 PM

Tim, the 'special' one has a total length of 60 cm, with a blade measuring 48,5 cm. It has a tang which goes through the handle and is bent over at the bottom .

The other Yaka sword has a blade of the same length, but with a longer handle (20 cm). The blade is of better quality with some nice decoration.

Both pieces are double edged and extremely sharp.

Here are some pics of the 'normal' Yaka sword :

Tim Simmons · 22nd November 2006, 08:18 PM

Very nice Freddy. Mine is bigger than yours

by 5mm. I have heard size matters

Freddy · 22nd November 2006, 08:24 PM

No, it's what you do with it !

21st November 2006, 08:25 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	An odd one Last week, I was able to purchase two swords on a belgian auction site. The picture was bad and the seller did not know what he was offering. One piece was a ordinary Konda sword as can be found very frequently. When I got it, I was surprised to see that it had a copper blade. The second piece is something different. At first sight (on a bad picture) it looked like a Yaka-sword with part of the handle missing. After receiving it, my first thought was right. This sword is Yaka. It has the same slender form and the decoration is typical : two dotted lines running the length of the blade. Strangely enough the base of the sword blade is extremely thick : 2,2 cm near the handle. I have never seen this on an African blade (but I'm still young ) The handle itself is made of wood, partially covered with leather (at least, I think it's leather). Total length : 60 cm Handle : 11,5 cm width of blade : max. 4,5 cm Who has an idea on this piece ? Luc ? Tim ? Flavio ? In order to compare, here's a picture of this piece, next to a Yaka-sword

21st November 2006, 08:28 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here's the Konda sword Here's the other piece : the Konda-sword. Length : 38 cm

21st November 2006, 10:42 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi Freddy, that first sword certainly looks like it has some 'balance' with the extra weight at the handle end. Do you think that it may have a 'full tang' with covered wooden 'scales'. Certainly does not seem to be ceremonial.Very nice 'addition'.....especially when you took a risk with those blurry pictures

22nd November 2006, 05:54 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	How long is the Yaka sword? I have never seen one like this before. It must be quite heavy at the handle. From what you show it looks as though it is a short one. I have a brass Konda. it seems that the non ferrous one are a little harder to find.

22nd November 2006, 08:13 PM	#5
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Tim, the 'special' one has a total length of 60 cm, with a blade measuring 48,5 cm. It has a tang which goes through the handle and is bent over at the bottom . The other Yaka sword has a blade of the same length, but with a longer handle (20 cm). The blade is of better quality with some nice decoration. Both pieces are double edged and extremely sharp. Here are some pics of the 'normal' Yaka sword :

22nd November 2006, 08:18 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Very nice Freddy. Mine is bigger than yours by 5mm. I have heard size matters

22nd November 2006, 08:24 PM	#7
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	No, it's what you do with it !