Peace Corps bring back: Modern Cameroon utility/ bush knife/ machete

[Nathaniel]

Hello all,

One of my next door neighbors was in the Peace Corps in Cameroon and this was his utility/ bush knife/ machete he used during his time there. I thought it would be be interesting to share as this is an example of a modern ethnographic blade.

Interesting notes: The handle is full tang and sandwiched by two pieces of wood, which often crack, so local people usually wrap the handle. My neighbor said they use the inter tube of a bicycle for the handle wrap, but this one with the Easton tape and the type of grip makes me think it might be a baseball bat/ or tennis grip. The scabbard does not come with the machete and is separately made of local natural fibers...the blue plastic strips are recycled from a plastic bucket. With the short red nylon cord, locals carry it over there shoulder.

Any comments or additional information anyone could add would be great! Otherwise enjoy