African sickle sword

kronckew · 21st October 2022, 06:57 AM

Cool ngbandi one, i see the large end cone is intact, the OP's one looks like it may have been broken or cut off to enable better pronation of the wrist that these wide disks (like on a talwar) restrict the bending of the wrist.

drac2k · 21st October 2022, 02:44 PM

That is an interesting theory; I have owned several and they all seemed to have a similar-sized piece missing from the handle. I had only thought it to be a strange coincidence or a characteristic of the type of wood they used, but your suggestion makes sense.

shayde78 · 23rd October 2022, 12:38 AM

Thanks everyone!
Very helpful information and interesting thoughts.

Regarding the missing bit from the pommel - it may be this occurs on many examples of this type of sword simply because the brass tacks weaken the wood causing it to break along the lines created by the tacks.
If this were an intentional feature the handle could simply be carved differently.

However, if considered an ergonomical improvement, it is oriented to allow greater range of movement when the blade is oriented to used the inside edge. This usage would be quite effective if the point is the intended striking area. Much like the mambele, or from other regions, the lohar, zahgnal, etc, using an arching swing to deliver a stabbing point is a devastating attack.

21st October 2022, 06:57 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,238	Cool ngbandi one, i see the large end cone is intact, the OP's one looks like it may have been broken or cut off to enable better pronation of the wrist that these wide disks (like on a talwar) restrict the bending of the wrist.

21st October 2022, 02:44 PM	#2
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,269	That is an interesting theory; I have owned several and they all seemed to have a similar-sized piece missing from the handle. I had only thought it to be a strange coincidence or a characteristic of the type of wood they used, but your suggestion makes sense.

23rd October 2022, 12:38 AM	#3
shayde78 Member Join Date: Mar 2017 Posts: 445	Thanks everyone! Very helpful information and interesting thoughts. Regarding the missing bit from the pommel - it may be this occurs on many examples of this type of sword simply because the brass tacks weaken the wood causing it to break along the lines created by the tacks. If this were an intentional feature the handle could simply be carved differently. However, if considered an ergonomical improvement, it is oriented to allow greater range of movement when the blade is oriented to used the inside edge. This usage would be quite effective if the point is the intended striking area. Much like the mambele, or from other regions, the lohar, zahgnal, etc, using an arching swing to deliver a stabbing point is a devastating attack.