East African safari

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2008, 09:57 PM

This is my latest purchase. I am getting very interested in the knife/swords from the areas between the Seme and the classic Shona knife, all be it a collector defined term. A chum has a very nice one with some differences, a fine polished handle, hairless scabbard, the blade is the same overall shape but with a light midrib and I think I recall the blade being all black. I rather fancied it but the trade at the time was a little too strong but I may have another crack at it. Anyway look at these pictures the blade is just under 15inches or 38.5cm the handle is 4 1/2 inches or 12.5cm. The handle appealed the most. The scabbard is made of two very thin sheets of wood covered in Cow hide? the loops are made from vegetal fibers. Compere the outward flare at the forte to the large Rwandan/Tutsi sword. I am certain that there is a variation of design that can almost be followed like foot steps.

Tim Simmons · 20th March 2008, 10:20 PM

Last pictures. looks to me like native smelted metal. The pitting is not indentations from forging on a rough surface or corrosion?

Gavin Nugent · 21st March 2008, 02:34 AM

That is a nice looking blade you have there. My first thoughts are that it is styled after the Roman Gladius which is certainly possible with the Roman's being in Africa in centuries past. Historically, maybe a remnant of an age old Roman legacy that has been handed down from knife maker to knife maker?

regards

Gavin

Freddy · 21st March 2008, 08:02 PM

Tim, in my opinion this piece is not East African. I think it comes from Cameroon. I've seen sheaths made out of similar material. Just can't remember where

Tim Simmons · 21st March 2008, 09:12 PM

I can go with that too Freddy. There are aspects of the handle that did seem West African right from the first sight of the item. The fuller is often seen in the regions of the Nigerian/Cameroon border possibly more Nigerian influence? Saying that I am interested in the flared sides of the blade at the forte, any ideas?

Tim Simmons · 23rd March 2008, 07:03 PM

Freddy, it appears you are quite correct.

http://www.mambele.be/knife_detail.p...r=0538&rowno=1

this is the picture the link should show

20th March 2008, 09:57 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	East African safari This is my latest purchase. I am getting very interested in the knife/swords from the areas between the Seme and the classic Shona knife, all be it a collector defined term. A chum has a very nice one with some differences, a fine polished handle, hairless scabbard, the blade is the same overall shape but with a light midrib and I think I recall the blade being all black. I rather fancied it but the trade at the time was a little too strong but I may have another crack at it. Anyway look at these pictures the blade is just under 15inches or 38.5cm the handle is 4 1/2 inches or 12.5cm. The handle appealed the most. The scabbard is made of two very thin sheets of wood covered in Cow hide? the loops are made from vegetal fibers. Compere the outward flare at the forte to the large Rwandan/Tutsi sword. I am certain that there is a variation of design that can almost be followed like foot steps. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 20th March 2008 at 10:47 PM.

20th March 2008, 10:20 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Locally smelted Last pictures. looks to me like native smelted metal. The pitting is not indentations from forging on a rough surface or corrosion?

21st March 2008, 02:34 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Roman Gladius That is a nice looking blade you have there. My first thoughts are that it is styled after the Roman Gladius which is certainly possible with the Roman's being in Africa in centuries past. Historically, maybe a remnant of an age old Roman legacy that has been handed down from knife maker to knife maker? regards Gavin

23rd March 2008, 07:03 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Freddy, it appears you are quite correct. http://www.mambele.be/knife_detail.p...r=0538&rowno=1 this is the picture the link should show Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 23rd March 2008 at 10:00 PM.

21st March 2008, 08:02 PM	#4
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Tim, in my opinion this piece is not East African. I think it comes from Cameroon. I've seen sheaths made out of similar material. Just can't remember where

21st March 2008, 09:12 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I can go with that too Freddy. There are aspects of the handle that did seem West African right from the first sight of the item. The fuller is often seen in the regions of the Nigerian/Cameroon border possibly more Nigerian influence? Saying that I am interested in the flared sides of the blade at the forte, any ideas?