Shi, Tutsi swords and others
 

Well I have got one of this type of sword now :) . There seems to be many styles through out the regions that use them. Congo and Rwanda possibly some similarity to Shona swords. I was not expecting quite such a heavy blade, really nice. Two lines of black. The lazy "s" or flat "z" section blade with the central rib 5mm thick, the length of the blade is 57.5cm, beautifully forged. I like the swelling at the forte. The only slight disappointment is the plant fibre weaving holding the scabbard together is a little worn. This would have been no problem for the original owner to replace when necessary. They might even have used copper wire which I could do if it gets any worse.
I am very happy with it for the price. Makes me think of the MGM film "WATUSI" that thrilled me as a young boy.
I would like to compere this blade to others?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS017.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS020.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS022.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/NS007-1.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS019.jpg

Tim

It's about time you picked one of these up Favio and I were feeling kind of guilty that we both had one and you didn't. ;) :p :)

Lew

Hey Lew, we are not the only ones :mad: :D ;)

Tim I like the patina, congrats :)

Hey! I want one also. :( :D

Bill

You must first chant the special Shi sword mantra and have a lot of patience and a bit of luck before you can get one of these. ;) :D Tim I will take a few photos of mine over the weekend so you can do your comparison on the blades.

Lew

Tim,
love the blade......could you post some close ups ?

Tim

I found one on Artzi's website for your research.


Lew

I still need one like that Lew :). Here are some close ups of this blade just enough to get the gist of it. The finger is not the most elegant measure of the blade but it does show the keen edge. The centre rib is approx 1cm wide and as I mentioned 5mm thick. The blade edge is slightly opposed curves, giving strength in structure if not the finest steel. I really like African metalwork that shows the smiths working marks. I do not think they had heard of William Morris and the arts and crafts movement :D . can I see a relation to some blades further south?

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS023.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS024.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...appy/NS025.jpg

Hello Tim, here is mine :)

Tim

Here are some good shots of my sword.

Lew

Thanks Lew and Flavio,
The version I have seems to have a more broad blade. Clearly there is wide regional variation. One could argue that between these examples the link is only really in the scabbard configuration. How extensive is this form, the Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu provinces of DRC, Rwanda, even Tanzania. What about the southern borders Zambia and Shona/Zimbabwe. Questions the answer must be out there.

Hi Tim, here is another variation of these swords (no more mine :p ). Also in this case the mid rib is flat as in yours example. For sure the differences could be due at the territory but maybe also to the age :shrug: