Zulu war axe for discussion

kronckew · 15th July 2015, 08:39 AM

i've read that the sotho (basoto) tribes of south africa (lesotho is named after them) did indeed make these style axes, the zulu did not make their own axes, but traded with the sotho tribes for them, the zulu preferring theirs. i've also heard the zulu would be paid tribute in weapons from other tribes in the area, including iwisa as well as axes, etc.

axe should be arriving today, i'll check the haft. it may have been varnished by a previous UK owner...

i suspect the wood is suffering from some neglect & ageing. it ooks like the rust may have impregnated the wood near the head resulting in some staining.

i'll also get my brass & nylon brushes out & wash/brush off the active rust & give it a coat of ballistol...

kronckew · 17th July 2015, 06:42 PM

axe arrived this afternoon. i gave it a good scrubbing to get the dirt and powdery rust off the iron bits and the flaking varnish remnants that were still on the haft. followed by a good rinse in hot water. i'll likely oil it tomorrow with ballistol on the iron/steel bits and walnut oil on the haft. the white spot on the starboard side was a paper label, writing long gone, that fell apart as i unpacked it, the blade under the label is almost rust free where it protected the blade.

nice heft to it. it's 555 grams in weight (1.22 lb.). the sharp edge has rusted down to dull, but she's still rarin' to go.

15th July 2015, 08:39 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	i've read that the sotho (basoto) tribes of south africa (lesotho is named after them) did indeed make these style axes, the zulu did not make their own axes, but traded with the sotho tribes for them, the zulu preferring theirs. i've also heard the zulu would be paid tribute in weapons from other tribes in the area, including iwisa as well as axes, etc. axe should be arriving today, i'll check the haft. it may have been varnished by a previous UK owner... i suspect the wood is suffering from some neglect & ageing. it ooks like the rust may have impregnated the wood near the head resulting in some staining. i'll also get my brass & nylon brushes out & wash/brush off the active rust & give it a coat of ballistol... Last edited by kronckew; 15th July 2015 at 09:39 AM.

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17th July 2015, 06:42 PM	#2
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,259	axe arrived this afternoon. i gave it a good scrubbing to get the dirt and powdery rust off the iron bits and the flaking varnish remnants that were still on the haft. followed by a good rinse in hot water. i'll likely oil it tomorrow with ballistol on the iron/steel bits and walnut oil on the haft. the white spot on the starboard side was a paper label, writing long gone, that fell apart as i unpacked it, the blade under the label is almost rust free where it protected the blade. nice heft to it. it's 555 grams in weight (1.22 lb.). the sharp edge has rusted down to dull, but she's still rarin' to go.