I say it's Filipino my friend insists it's African...
 

I bought two knives from a friend of mine who says he got them from an acquaintance who was a missionary in Africa. Where in Africa he wasn't sure. One of the knives, with the brass handle, is certainly from West Africa and I have found a similar example on this forum. The one that I question has the curved Kris-style blade. To me, it looks to be from Luzon. The blade is not laminated. The handle is horn with brass ferules. The guard is iron. Blade length is a bit over 9 inches (22.86 cm) and overall length 13-3/8 inches (33.9725 cm). It is a very solid knife. The leather scabbard looks typical Filipino except for the leather tassle at the end.

Please let me know your opinions as to the origin of the curved bladed knife. Also, any feedback regarding the brass handled knife. I appreciate the knowledge from this group.

Regards,
Andrew Hite

Yes, it's a Luzon dagger, a nice one. The tassels at the scabbard are a common feature by leather scabbards from Luzon.

Regards,
Detlef

What Detlef said, if you need a second opinion. ;)

Andrew, you win the argument! As Detlef noted, a nice Luzon dagger with a three-piece hilt in the Spanish colonial style. Despite its excellent condition, especially the leather sheath, this one could be pre-WWII.


The brass handled knife is N. African and usually attributed to the Telek people. Often it's seen in an "arm dagger" sheath, but this one is not.

Thanks for your responses! My friend, whom I have bought several ethnographic weapons from over time, is a rather excitable person. He was almost angry that I suggested that the curved blade knife was not African. "How could a knife from the Philippines end up in Africa, HUH?" I let the subject pass.

There's an old rule in collecting, "Buy the item at hand, not the story".

Andrew Hite

Hi Andrew,

By this you can note that your friend knows next to nothing about the origin of blades. And this dagger is by the way much more worthy by describing it as from the Philippines.
Like Ian I think that it's pre WWII, could even be a late 19th century one, it is very nice and again, like Ian said with a very good survived scabbard.

Best regards,
Detlef

For comparison, my one with some more waves.