An Afar gile

[Changdao]

I just received my first Afar gile. Some decoration, but not too much, and it is of the kind with conical decoration both on the handle and the scabbard. The blade has a nice presence, but it doesn't feel heavy or unbalanced.

I guess that it's not very old, but as far as I understand this type of knife/sword continues to be used by the Afar.

Also, knowing that they wear them on the right side of the body makes me question how you are supposed to draw it, especially with ones this big.

Any comments are welcome.

[Marc M.]

Nice one, seems a good blade. Age is difficult to say.
Have posted mine on the forum a while ago.

Regards
Marc

[RobT]

Changdao,

"Also, knowing that they wear them on the right side of the body makes me question how you are supposed to draw it, especially with ones this big."

I have one also, which like yours, has an intact belt and buckle, so I strapped it on. The belt/sheath configuration makes the sheath sit transverse to the body (almost parallel to the ground). In this position, I found that the blade can easily be drawn.

Sincerely,
RobT