Mangbetu Knife

Nagawarrior · 8th January 2011, 12:38 AM

Just found. Love these knives.
Someone in the past has polished the blade unfortunatly.

Blade patina helps date. I'm having a hard time with this one. The handle does show nice patina. Maybe early 20th century.

How old do you think?
Now, if I wanted to "age" or darken the blade. What can I do? I'm impatient, can't wait 100 years.

Was thinking of PCB board etchant.

-Stephen*

ericlaude · 8th January 2011, 01:10 AM

As Luc say " the museum and the books present the knive, clean. your knife is clean its cool and its age is real I think 1930 .

Freddy · 8th January 2011, 06:32 PM

Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet).

Why would you want to darken the blade ? If I'm not mistaken, like all warriors, the Africans also kept their blades 'clean'. Look at these guys, especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

Nagawarrior · 8th January 2011, 08:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet).

Why would you want to darken the blade ? If I'm not mistaken, like all warriors, the Africans also kept their blades 'clean'. Look at these guys, especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

You are both right. It is so "polished" looking, like someone took it to a buffing wheel. Just wanted to tone it down a bit. Think I'll just oil it up and leave it be. I'm really very pleased with this piece. Been looking for one at a good price for a while and found it.
-Stephen

TimW · 12th January 2011, 09:26 AM

There is a very similar knife in Tribal arts monographs vol 1 n° 3 (p 24 knife 5). I'll try to upload a scan of the knife soon.

Age is stated to be before 1920 (but older than 1900).

asomotif · 12th January 2011, 12:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

I think the reflection on the right one is different, but all 3 have dark centre and clear edges.

I haven't seen this hilt type neither. nice one Stepehn !

I can Imagine that it is to shiny for your taste. maybe a little etching with acid or FeCl would help ?

Best regards,
Willem

Nagawarrior · 12th January 2011, 03:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by asomotif

I think the reflection on the right one is different, but all 3 have dark centre and clear edges.

I haven't seen this hilt type neither. nice one Stepehn !

I can Imagine that it is to shiny for your taste. maybe a little etching with acid or FeCl would help ?

Best regards,
Willem

Thats what I was thinking Wilem, just toneing it down a bit with the etching acid. I'm just going to leave it for now I think. Didn't realize the hilt was rare, guess I did OK with this one.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimW

There is a very similar knife in Tribal arts monographs vol 1 n° 3 (p 24 knife 5). I'll try to upload a scan of the knife soon.

Age is stated to be before 1920 (but older than 1900).

Look forward to the pics. Thanks!

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th January 2011, 01:02 PM

As Freddy says : " Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet)."

Nagawarrior · 13th January 2011, 02:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Luc LEFEBVRE

As Freddy says : " Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet)."

This coming from you and Freddy makes me feel good. Thanks guys.

TimW · 17th January 2011, 01:35 PM

I promised you the pictures from the book...

have fun looking

8th January 2011, 12:38 AM	#1
Nagawarrior Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Inland Empire, Southern California USA Posts: 160	Mangbetu Knife Just found. Love these knives. Someone in the past has polished the blade unfortunatly. Blade patina helps date. I'm having a hard time with this one. The handle does show nice patina. Maybe early 20th century. How old do you think? Now, if I wanted to "age" or darken the blade. What can I do? I'm impatient, can't wait 100 years. Was thinking of PCB board etchant. -Stephen* Attached Images

8th January 2011, 01:10 AM	#2
ericlaude Member Join Date: Oct 2008 Posts: 187	As Luc say " the museum and the books present the knive, clean. your knife is clean its cool and its age is real I think 1930 .

8th January 2011, 06:32 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet). Why would you want to darken the blade ? If I'm not mistaken, like all warriors, the Africans also kept their blades 'clean'. Look at these guys, especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

12th January 2011, 09:26 AM	#5
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	There is a very similar knife in Tribal arts monographs vol 1 n° 3 (p 24 knife 5). I'll try to upload a scan of the knife soon. Age is stated to be before 1920 (but older than 1900).

13th January 2011, 01:02 PM	#8
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 472	As Freddy says : " Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet)."

17th January 2011, 01:35 PM	#10
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	I promised you the pictures from the book... have fun looking