Thanks everyone for your replies and information.
No, I didn't buy it thinking it was an antique, valuable might be a different thing. I am sure that I paid too much for it (about $A300) but as it was my last day in Egypt and was the only thing I had seen that I actually wanted...
Even I could tell that it was a step up from the usual "oxy-cut sheetmetal with a goats horn jammed on it" stuff in every second stall.
Getting though Australian customs was another story, I am glad that it was not sharpened, I think it made it easier, or maybe it was when I starting crying when I thought they were going to confiscate it.
Since it has no historic value, any advice on techiques to sharpen it would be welcome.
Also, I will hopefully be going to the Philippines in October. Any ideas on what I should look for there???
Regards,
Darryl