Is this considered an edged weapon?

Rod Charters · 2nd July 2007, 05:54 PM

Hi I am new to this forum. I picked up this knife (pictures below) in S. Ethiopia and it probably originates from Wolliso, Sidamo, or thereabouts. At first I thought it to be some type of edged weapon. Hilt is made of horn, very heavy, single edged (on the inner curved side), the blade is extracted from the side of the scabbard as opposed to the top, the scabbard is leather and in excellent condition. I have no indication of the age. It seems to be a most unusual knife. However an Ethiopia friend upon looking at it said it may be used for cutting a type of banana tree called enset (common in the region) as well as possibly being a weapon. Does anyone have information about such a knife? It seems a bit intricate for only agricultural purposes.

Best regards

Rod

BBJW · 4th July 2007, 04:09 PM

Agricultural implements have been used as weapons for thousands of years and this certainly looks like a weapon. It may have been based on a tool, but this looks to me like it was meant for more than bananas.

bbjw

katana · 4th July 2007, 04:23 PM

It certainly looks like a weapon, a closer view of the blade could be helpful.
Are there any markings / decoration on the blade? How thick is the blade and what shape is it in cross section?

Welcome to the forum Rod

Regards David

Rod Charters · 4th July 2007, 05:28 PM

The knife is in Nairobi at present and I'm in Zimbabwe but I'll try to get a closeup of the blade from the existing pictures. There are no markings on the blade but there's a large ridge running the entire length of the blade on both sides. Again I am not in a position to measure the thickness of the blade but I can say it's very heavy and far thicker than daggers or knives I've come across. Thanks for the welcome.

asomotif · 4th July 2007, 05:39 PM

it looks very well made and elaborate for an agricultural tool.

maybe ritual banana harvesting

G. McCormack · 4th July 2007, 08:09 PM

Never underestimate a banana.

That said, looks like a nice well made piece. Good find, and Welcome

Rod Charters · 4th July 2007, 09:58 PM

Some slightly better pictures of the blade.

2nd July 2007, 05:54 PM	#1
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Is this considered an edged weapon? Hi I am new to this forum. I picked up this knife (pictures below) in S. Ethiopia and it probably originates from Wolliso, Sidamo, or thereabouts. At first I thought it to be some type of edged weapon. Hilt is made of horn, very heavy, single edged (on the inner curved side), the blade is extracted from the side of the scabbard as opposed to the top, the scabbard is leather and in excellent condition. I have no indication of the age. It seems to be a most unusual knife. However an Ethiopia friend upon looking at it said it may be used for cutting a type of banana tree called enset (common in the region) as well as possibly being a weapon. Does anyone have information about such a knife? It seems a bit intricate for only agricultural purposes. Best regards Rod Attached Images

4th July 2007, 04:09 PM	#2
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	Tool or weapon Agricultural implements have been used as weapons for thousands of years and this certainly looks like a weapon. It may have been based on a tool, but this looks to me like it was meant for more than bananas. bbjw

4th July 2007, 09:58 PM	#7
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Is this an edged weapon? Some slightly better pictures of the blade. Attached Images

4th July 2007, 04:23 PM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	It certainly looks like a weapon, a closer view of the blade could be helpful. Are there any markings / decoration on the blade? How thick is the blade and what shape is it in cross section? Welcome to the forum Rod Regards David

4th July 2007, 05:28 PM	#4
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	The knife is in Nairobi at present and I'm in Zimbabwe but I'll try to get a closeup of the blade from the existing pictures. There are no markings on the blade but there's a large ridge running the entire length of the blade on both sides. Again I am not in a position to measure the thickness of the blade but I can say it's very heavy and far thicker than daggers or knives I've come across. Thanks for the welcome.

4th July 2007, 05:39 PM	#5
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,225	it looks very well made and elaborate for an agricultural tool. maybe ritual banana harvesting

4th July 2007, 08:09 PM	#6
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Never underestimate a banana. That said, looks like a nice well made piece. Good find, and Welcome