African Knifes ??? Any Ideas?

Tony PP · 8th July 2013, 07:59 AM

Nobody wanted them in the village auction so I had to buy them for a few euros. They have simple flat steel blades. Both very much alike in thickness and shape. The skins on both have been stitched well and feel very comfortable in the hand. Ok, not high value items but they don't feel like tourist junk. Any ideas , what are they, from where, anything including telling me I have just added to my ever growing collection of rubbish.

VANDOO · 9th July 2013, 01:05 AM

I WOULD PLACE THESE IN THE NON-DESCRIPT AFRICAN WORK KNIFE CATEGORY. THE MATEIALS ARE SNAKE SKIN AND SOME CAT FUR AND PERHAPS ANTELOPE OR SOME OTHER HOOFED STOCK. THE BLADE LOOKS LIKE A BUTCHER OR KITCHEN KNIFE WITH TEMPER RATHER THAN A SOFT METAL UNTEMPERED ONE MADE IN THE VILLAGES. IF YOU KNEW WHERE THEY WERE COLLECTED YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO NAME COUNTRY OR TRIBE BUT I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TO START. THE BLADES MAY BE FACTORY MADE TRADE BLADES MOUNTED IN TRADITIONAL FITTINGS AT THE SOURCE BUT DON'T LOOK LIKE SOMETHING MADE FOR THE TOURIST MARKET.
ETHINOGRAPHIC YES, AND IF THE PRICE WAS LOW A GOOD ADDITION TO A COLLECTION. JUST MY OPINION PERHAPS SOMEONE MAY RECOGNIZE THEM AND PIN IT DOWN FOR YOU. GOOD LUCK

8th July 2013, 07:59 AM	#1
Tony PP Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 26	African Knifes ??? Any Ideas? Nobody wanted them in the village auction so I had to buy them for a few euros. They have simple flat steel blades. Both very much alike in thickness and shape. The skins on both have been stitched well and feel very comfortable in the hand. Ok, not high value items but they don't feel like tourist junk. Any ideas , what are they, from where, anything including telling me I have just added to my ever growing collection of rubbish. Attached Images

9th July 2013, 01:05 AM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I WOULD PLACE THESE IN THE NON-DESCRIPT AFRICAN WORK KNIFE CATEGORY. THE MATEIALS ARE SNAKE SKIN AND SOME CAT FUR AND PERHAPS ANTELOPE OR SOME OTHER HOOFED STOCK. THE BLADE LOOKS LIKE A BUTCHER OR KITCHEN KNIFE WITH TEMPER RATHER THAN A SOFT METAL UNTEMPERED ONE MADE IN THE VILLAGES. IF YOU KNEW WHERE THEY WERE COLLECTED YOU MIGHT BE ABLE TO NAME COUNTRY OR TRIBE BUT I PERSONALLY WOULD NOT KNOW WHERE TO START. THE BLADES MAY BE FACTORY MADE TRADE BLADES MOUNTED IN TRADITIONAL FITTINGS AT THE SOURCE BUT DON'T LOOK LIKE SOMETHING MADE FOR THE TOURIST MARKET. ETHINOGRAPHIC YES, AND IF THE PRICE WAS LOW A GOOD ADDITION TO A COLLECTION. JUST MY OPINION PERHAPS SOMEONE MAY RECOGNIZE THEM AND PIN IT DOWN FOR YOU. GOOD LUCK