African Arm Dagger...finally!

Lew · 12th December 2006, 03:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Emanuel, here is some info. I previously posted on primative lathes...I did have a picture of an African craftsman , 19 C but cant find it...

I'm wondering whether the original handles were 'turned' on a primative lathe.... you would only need something like this ... a pole lathe....easily made from local timber and cordage.... these were in common use in medievel Europe and Asia. The cord is wrapped around the 'working' piece, as the pedal is pushed down, the cord 'spins' the wood one way, The branch attached to the other end of the cord is pulled down (putting it under tension) By releasing pressure on the pedal, the branch 'springs' back pulling the cord and 'spins' the 'worked piece' in the opposite direction......then the operation is continually repeated. As the wood is spun it can be worked with a knife of chisel.....as on a 'normal' lathe.

This is a photo of a Sudanese lathe.

Lew

katana · 12th December 2006, 03:38 PM

Thanks Lew......this is the same picture I had .....but its lost on my hard drive.....somewhere...

Emanuel · 12th December 2006, 10:43 PM

Thanks Lew and David,

I remember that picture...one of you had posted it in a discussion a while back. I like the design of these things...they didn't just turn the whole thing, rather merging the circular profile with a lozenge. Makes for a really interesting shape, and I bet its comfortable too. The pommel looks pretty substantial, so it could be used in a fight as well I guess.

Emanuel

Emanuel · 19th December 2006, 03:34 AM

and here's another to make a pair.

This one has the scabbard, rather nice one. It isn't as fancy as the first one, but pretty well made it seems. Also a bit of age to it...comments?
Emanuel

Rivkin · 19th December 2006, 04:26 AM

The first dagger has a date on it - 1317, i.e. 1900 ad.

Emanuel · 19th December 2006, 02:44 PM

Thanks Rivkin! This confirms what Lew said.

paolo · 25th December 2006, 07:26 PM

This is my one. The sheat is worn and has some holes (bugs) but I think your , might be similar. I'm interested to the translation of the writings on the blade. Can someone help me ?
Merry Xmas to all the forum members.
Paolo

19th December 2006, 03:34 AM	#4
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Wow, that didn't take long... and here's another to make a pair. This one has the scabbard, rather nice one. It isn't as fancy as the first one, but pretty well made it seems. Also a bit of age to it...comments? Emanuel Attached Images

25th December 2006, 07:26 PM	#7
paolo Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Posts: 173	This is my one. The sheat is worn and has some holes (bugs) but I think your , might be similar. I'm interested to the translation of the writings on the blade. Can someone help me ? Merry Xmas to all the forum members. Paolo Attached Images

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12th December 2006, 03:38 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Lew......this is the same picture I had .....but its lost on my hard drive.....somewhere...

12th December 2006, 10:43 PM	#3
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks Lew and David, I remember that picture...one of you had posted it in a discussion a while back. I like the design of these things...they didn't just turn the whole thing, rather merging the circular profile with a lozenge. Makes for a really interesting shape, and I bet its comfortable too. The pommel looks pretty substantial, so it could be used in a fight as well I guess. Emanuel

19th December 2006, 04:26 AM	#5
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	The first dagger has a date on it - 1317, i.e. 1900 ad.

19th December 2006, 02:44 PM	#6
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Thanks Rivkin! This confirms what Lew said.