[Interested Party]

Thanks for the response Tim! That is good to hear. I felt that it was a 90% finished product that was made to be used, but I like outside verification to make sure I am not having an emotional response. From what I have seen a lot of areas of the world this kind of tool is sold semi-finished and then the user completes it to his taste. I.e. the shape of the edge grind, and tailoring the handle to their hand (I have seen contemporary "users" with spiraling grips like a drill bit that were covered in shrink wrap like for electrical connections), decoration etc. The tribes surrounding the Masai tend to cut off the existing handles of the panga and replace them with tire rubber so that they handle better during the rainy season.

The question is what decade would a product like this be made? Are they currently being made? This example seems to have a good patina, but the dye on the scabbard and handle are relatively intact.

From what I read the traditional Masai iron/steel was of unpredictable quality making the rib necessary. The English machetes were more reliable making thinner blades possible. The Seme shortened in my opinion due to the pax Brittania. These blades of course did not have the impact of the old ones, the blade I have shown feels like it would pack a wallop) but cut and slice (butcher) more effectively. Locally they are still considered more effective weapons than the panga, but not as good for agricultural work. The shorter seme such as this one is now worn concealed, on a belt next to the skin under the two pieces of cloth knotted at the shoulders and the larger one slung cross wise. I have forgotten the name of these garments. I assume the older long ones were worn openly. The spears are not allowed in the larger towns.

Can you tell please me more about the blunt section on the spears?