Kuba dagger

Marcus · 2nd July 2016, 01:38 PM

I just got this Kuba dagger in. As I understand it, these are more ceremonial than intended as actual weapons. What I wonder about is the finish on the blade, is it paint or from some other process? I am used to African weapons "being in the white".

corrado26 · 2nd July 2016, 05:13 PM

I am no secialist in African knifes but I think that the colour of this blade is nothing than pPatina, maybe a mixture of dirt and oxydation
corrado26

Marcus · 2nd July 2016, 05:22 PM

Here are other examples sold by the same vendor in the past. Two others are very much like mine, two are more in the white (maybe having been polished) and one seems to have the black selectively applied.

colin henshaw · 4th July 2016, 08:05 AM

I read somewhere (can't remember where) that this black, sooty surface film was deliberately applied in Africa, as a type of preservative...

Its a similar surface film/residue to that found on the inside of traditional African hut roofs, being formed from the cooking fire.

Marcus · 5th July 2016, 01:20 PM

I think it is quite likely that some sort of finish was applied. Of course it is the custom with modern firearms to "blue" the steel (a controlled form of surface rusting) and WWII British pistols were blackens and marked "war finish".

Pieje · 8th July 2016, 12:33 PM

Hi Marcus,

What you have is a good old Kuba Ikul knife (+-1900-1920 is my guess).
Check if yours have a cutting edge (I suspect yes).

These knives are often partially blackened using a palm oil, like this one..

Most of the above examples are overcleaned or, not (fully) cleaned (leaving their patina). I wouldn't touch yours too much..

Pieje · 8th July 2016, 12:51 PM

I forgot to say that these have indeed a mostly ceremonial purpose (for that raison these are often not sharpened). If I'm not wrong, Ikul (designation of this type of knife) means something like "ceremonial knife".

2nd July 2016, 01:38 PM	#1
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	Kuba dagger I just got this Kuba dagger in. As I understand it, these are more ceremonial than intended as actual weapons. What I wonder about is the finish on the blade, is it paint or from some other process? I am used to African weapons "being in the white". Attached Images

2nd July 2016, 05:22 PM	#3
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	other examples Here are other examples sold by the same vendor in the past. Two others are very much like mine, two are more in the white (maybe having been polished) and one seems to have the black selectively applied. Attached Images

5th July 2016, 01:20 PM	#5
Marcus Member Join Date: Oct 2005 Posts: 420	finishing I think it is quite likely that some sort of finish was applied. Of course it is the custom with modern firearms to "blue" the steel (a controlled form of surface rusting) and WWII British pistols were blackens and marked "war finish".

8th July 2016, 12:33 PM	#6
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Hi Marcus, What you have is a good old Kuba Ikul knife (+-1900-1920 is my guess). Check if yours have a cutting edge (I suspect yes). These knives are often partially blackened using a palm oil, like this one.. Most of the above examples are overcleaned or, not (fully) cleaned (leaving their patina). I wouldn't touch yours too much.. Attached Images

2nd July 2016, 05:13 PM	#2
corrado26 Member Join Date: Dec 2014 Location: Black Forest, Germany Posts: 1,170	I am no secialist in African knifes but I think that the colour of this blade is nothing than pPatina, maybe a mixture of dirt and oxydation corrado26

4th July 2016, 08:05 AM	#4
colin henshaw Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1,430	I read somewhere (can't remember where) that this black, sooty surface film was deliberately applied in Africa, as a type of preservative... Its a similar surface film/residue to that found on the inside of traditional African hut roofs, being formed from the cooking fire.

8th July 2016, 12:51 PM	#7
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	I forgot to say that these have indeed a mostly ceremonial purpose (for that raison these are often not sharpened). If I'm not wrong, Ikul (designation of this type of knife) means something like "ceremonial knife".