LONG THIN SPEAR FOR I.D

Ron Anderson · 19th September 2010, 07:48 AM

Hi Vandoo

My knowledge on this area is also hardly comprehensive, but I think Turkano may be right. The 'scabbard' is exactly like those found on Turkano wrist knives. It is made of cowhide, is it? Having said that, I used to see this spear and the 'lionkiller' spear frequently in Johannesburg flea markets, identified as 'masai'. However, I never once saw them with the thong scabbard.

katana · 18th May 2011, 04:16 PM

Just to add to this thread. I recently acquired a similar spear that originated from Kenya. The seller, had lived in Kenya for some years (during the '60's) and had actually been hunting (spears) with some of the local tribes. It seems that many tribes in the area obtain weapons from several 'blacksmiths' scattered in the region, so ID'ing spears to a specific tribe is impossible.

This probably helps to explain why these and the 'lion' spears are common to the area.....rather than a specific tribe. The 'slight' differences between 'identical' spears being the blacksmith's manufacturing rather than tribal variation.

Regards David

19th September 2010, 07:48 AM	#1
Ron Anderson Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Location: Sydney Australia Posts: 228	Hi Vandoo My knowledge on this area is also hardly comprehensive, but I think Turkano may be right. The 'scabbard' is exactly like those found on Turkano wrist knives. It is made of cowhide, is it? Having said that, I used to see this spear and the 'lionkiller' spear frequently in Johannesburg flea markets, identified as 'masai'. However, I never once saw them with the thong scabbard.

18th May 2011, 04:16 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Just to add to this thread. I recently acquired a similar spear that originated from Kenya. The seller, had lived in Kenya for some years (during the '60's) and had actually been hunting (spears) with some of the local tribes. It seems that many tribes in the area obtain weapons from several 'blacksmiths' scattered in the region, so ID'ing spears to a specific tribe is impossible. This probably helps to explain why these and the 'lion' spears are common to the area.....rather than a specific tribe. The 'slight' differences between 'identical' spears being the blacksmith's manufacturing rather than tribal variation. Regards David