Mandara mountains tabouka

[Tim Simmons]

I am not really that knowledgeable about welding having only done a small amount of gas welding. However as you can see from these magnified day light pictures this weld is quite delicate work and one can see there was never a complete brake. The weld and forging of the blade have been done at the same time. One side shows more layering of the metal. It is clear that slag was a problem. Also arc welding would not fit the age of the handle. I have never seen arc welding not burn the surrounding area. Arc welding became widely used in the 1920s so I doubt available in the backwoods of Africa, possibly Oxyacetylene in cities. The weld is not all scabby like the flash pictures make out.