african spear

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 06:31 PM

Here is the braided collar of a Swazi axe.

Tim Simmons · 9th December 2005, 06:43 PM

Love!! the axe Freddy, makes me want to show mine again

Tim

Freddy · 9th December 2005, 06:51 PM

Very nice ! Are the bindings also metal ?

Tim Simmons · 9th December 2005, 08:34 PM

Yes metal binding, quite fine wire with iron pegs embeded in the haft in a decorative manner.

fernando · 10th December 2005, 02:12 PM

Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot.
My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances.
Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?

Tim Simmons · 10th December 2005, 06:38 PM

My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim

fernando · 11th December 2005, 09:20 PM

Thank you Tim
I regcognize this spear. You have already post it in this forum, a while ago, right ? I was actually influenced by having seen this piture, when i got suspicious about my haft. While yours is naturaly bent and gets thicker towards the butt ( i think a traditional procedure ), mine is practicaly straight ... no bending and no thickness variations.This looked too correct to me, as i had no other references on these african spears
I will get used to it.
Sorry for my funny english.
Thanks a lot.

9th December 2005, 06:43 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Love!! the axe Freddy, makes me want to show mine again Tim Attached Images

10th December 2005, 06:38 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	My spear is 142cm, metal part 33cm, spear point 10.5cm, width of haft 1.7cm. Yours looks unaltered to me. Tim Attached Images

11th December 2005, 09:20 PM	#7
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you Tim I regcognize this spear. You have already post it in this forum, a while ago, right ? I was actually influenced by having seen this piture, when i got suspicious about my haft. While yours is naturaly bent and gets thicker towards the butt ( i think a traditional procedure ), mine is practicaly straight ... no bending and no thickness variations.This looked too correct to me, as i had no other references on these african spears I will get used to it. Sorry for my funny english. Thanks a lot. Attached Images

9th December 2005, 06:31 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Here is the braided collar of a Swazi axe.

9th December 2005, 06:51 PM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Very nice ! Are the bindings also metal ?

9th December 2005, 08:34 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Yes metal binding, quite fine wire with iron pegs embeded in the haft in a decorative manner.

10th December 2005, 02:12 PM	#5
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Thank you, the precious pictures and teachings explain a lot. My doubt on the terminology was that, Assegai (Azagaia = Az-zágaiã), is a term originated in a throwing spear. I will consider that its atribution changed in the circumstances. Tim, how long ant thick is the haft of your pictured spear ? is it regularly straight and round finished ? I still have reserves about mine. Is it possible to remount the blade on a new haft, without losing the consistence of the braided collar ?