Strange unknown knife for id

Justin · 12th November 2005, 11:16 PM

I have no clue on this one, the blade looks like it is laminated,the edge in on the concave side.About 11 inches long o/a ,the wire around the pommel and the mounts on the grip are aluminum,right now all I have is the pic from ebay later ill post some better ones,if they are needed.

Tim Simmons · 15th November 2005, 06:36 PM

Bring this up again when you have made better pictures. It is interesting that the scabbard which is surely European? and post ww2 I would think, goes so well with the Knife. Which came first the chicken or the egg? My gut feeling is somewhere like Ethiopia and surrounding areas. Tim

Tim Simmons · 15th November 2005, 06:44 PM

Just another thought, this could also have come from the Congo. Just something about the discs on the handle and the shape, also the decorative extended pommel bit. Tim

Freddy · 15th November 2005, 08:19 PM

I agree with Tim that the knife comes from Africa. I would be more inclined to think that it comes from Nigeria (or neighbouring countries).
The reason for this is the metal band between the blade and the handle. I've seen this already on knives coming from that area.

The sheath is no doubt European.

Tim Simmons · 15th November 2005, 08:54 PM

Yes West African knives do have that piece on the forte normally brass and often engraved. This one looks a little back woods to me, made away from the normal centers of manufacture. The question is where? in West Africa which could include Gabon and the Congo. Is it from the arid regions or the forrests? I am not sure it is from any of the arid areas but I do not really know, just does not fit with the other stuff I have from these regions. Tim

Justin · 16th November 2005, 01:04 AM

Thanks for the comments,Ill work on getting better pics.

I noticed that the edge of the knife , is forged a lot like the edge some khodmis have,sort of hollow ground but only about 1/8 inch in from the edge.Seems many African weapons have odd cross sections,like the 'twisted' spear heads that were discussed a few weeks ago.

12th November 2005, 11:16 PM	#1
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Strange unknown knife for id I have no clue on this one, the blade looks like it is laminated,the edge in on the concave side.About 11 inches long o/a ,the wire around the pommel and the mounts on the grip are aluminum,right now all I have is the pic from ebay later ill post some better ones,if they are needed. Attached Images

15th November 2005, 06:36 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Bring this up again when you have made better pictures. It is interesting that the scabbard which is surely European? and post ww2 I would think, goes so well with the Knife. Which came first the chicken or the egg? My gut feeling is somewhere like Ethiopia and surrounding areas. Tim

15th November 2005, 06:44 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Just another thought, this could also have come from the Congo. Just something about the discs on the handle and the shape, also the decorative extended pommel bit. Tim

15th November 2005, 08:19 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	I agree with Tim that the knife comes from Africa. I would be more inclined to think that it comes from Nigeria (or neighbouring countries). The reason for this is the metal band between the blade and the handle. I've seen this already on knives coming from that area. The sheath is no doubt European.

15th November 2005, 08:54 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,739	Yes West African knives do have that piece on the forte normally brass and often engraved. This one looks a little back woods to me, made away from the normal centers of manufacture. The question is where? in West Africa which could include Gabon and the Congo. Is it from the arid regions or the forrests? I am not sure it is from any of the arid areas but I do not really know, just does not fit with the other stuff I have from these regions. Tim

16th November 2005, 01:04 AM	#6
Justin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 175	Thanks for the comments,Ill work on getting better pics. I noticed that the edge of the knife , is forged a lot like the edge some khodmis have,sort of hollow ground but only about 1/8 inch in from the edge.Seems many African weapons have odd cross sections,like the 'twisted' spear heads that were discussed a few weeks ago.