Kangaroo Tooth Lacerator

Ron Anderson · 2nd September 2010, 11:55 PM

Hi Fearn

This is not spinifex. It is a completely different composition. That's something that may not be clear in the photographs. However, until I master this new camera of mine, you'll simply need to accept my assurances on that.

I will try provide a more accurate photo soon.

I sourced a very interesting description how these knives – or at least, Taap knives, which are essentially the same – are made. It involves kangaroo dung put through a certain process. It is not kangaroo dung on its own. That knowledge and craftsmanship has not been lost entirely and there are people who still employ these techniques when making Taap knives.

When looking at the knife, and specifically the mound into which the teeth have been placed, there are actually threads of grass still there from the kangaroo dung.

The reason you might believe this is just spinifex is that this is a very rare implement and you probably have never come across anything like it. I will try source the description of how these items are made and post it later.

Regards
Ron

fearn · 3rd September 2010, 01:17 AM

Ron,

You're certainly right, and I didn't see the grass fibers around there.

Best,

F

Ron Anderson · 3rd September 2010, 03:10 AM

Hi Fearn

I found this information online regarding the manufacture of a taap knife. A taap knife is very much like this knife except slabs of stone are used instead of teeth:

A taap is a Nyungar knife.

It was made by very clever Nyungar people using materials gathered from the balga (grass tree resin) When grass trees are burnt or are open to strong light, resin from the trunk responds to the heat and runs down the side of the tree to the bottom. When it is ground up, it becomes very volatile.

Kangaroo (yonga) faeces (goona) were collected and dried. As the yonga only eats grass, what comes out is refined grass that lasts a long time.

The third ingredient is charcoal.

If 50% of balga resin is ground up and mixed with 25% yonga goona and 25% charcoal, a chemical reaction takes place when the mixture is placed over heat or fire (kaarla). The balga resin melts, the charcoal ignites and the goona binds the resin.

A small boorn (stick) is heated and then rolled in the mixture which sticks to the boorn. When enough mixture is gathered on the boorn a small quartz stone chip is used as the blade.

The taap is used for cutting up meat, skinning kangaroos, possums (koomal) and wallabies (kwirr).

fearn · 3rd September 2010, 03:37 PM

Thanks for the recipe, Ron. I hadn't known that grass trees produced resin. Otherwise, the process is pretty similar to what you have to do with pine resin to make a workable adhesive that isn't too brittle.

Best,

F

Ron Anderson · 4th September 2010, 01:34 AM

Well, you're way ahead of me. I didn't even know there was such as a grass tree.

2nd September 2010, 11:55 PM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Fearn This is not spinifex. It is a completely different composition. That's something that may not be clear in the photographs. However, until I master this new camera of mine, you'll simply need to accept my assurances on that. I will try provide a more accurate photo soon. I sourced a very interesting description how these knives – or at least, Taap knives, which are essentially the same – are made. It involves kangaroo dung put through a certain process. It is not kangaroo dung on its own. That knowledge and craftsmanship has not been lost entirely and there are people who still employ these techniques when making Taap knives. When looking at the knife, and specifically the mound into which the teeth have been placed, there are actually threads of grass still there from the kangaroo dung. The reason you might believe this is just spinifex is that this is a very rare implement and you probably have never come across anything like it. I will try source the description of how these items are made and post it later. Regards Ron

3rd September 2010, 01:17 AM	#2
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Ron, You're certainly right, and I didn't see the grass fibers around there. Best, F

3rd September 2010, 03:10 AM	#3
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Fearn I found this information online regarding the manufacture of a taap knife. A taap knife is very much like this knife except slabs of stone are used instead of teeth: A taap is a Nyungar knife. It was made by very clever Nyungar people using materials gathered from the balga (grass tree resin) When grass trees are burnt or are open to strong light, resin from the trunk responds to the heat and runs down the side of the tree to the bottom. When it is ground up, it becomes very volatile. Kangaroo (yonga) faeces (goona) were collected and dried. As the yonga only eats grass, what comes out is refined grass that lasts a long time. The third ingredient is charcoal. If 50% of balga resin is ground up and mixed with 25% yonga goona and 25% charcoal, a chemical reaction takes place when the mixture is placed over heat or fire (kaarla). The balga resin melts, the charcoal ignites and the goona binds the resin. A small boorn (stick) is heated and then rolled in the mixture which sticks to the boorn. When enough mixture is gathered on the boorn a small quartz stone chip is used as the blade. The taap is used for cutting up meat, skinning kangaroos, possums (koomal) and wallabies (kwirr).

3rd September 2010, 03:37 PM	#4
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Thanks for the recipe, Ron. I hadn't known that grass trees produced resin. Otherwise, the process is pretty similar to what you have to do with pine resin to make a workable adhesive that isn't too brittle. Best, F

4th September 2010, 01:34 AM	#5
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Well, you're way ahead of me. I didn't even know there was such as a grass tree.