Is this considered an edged weapon?

BBJW · 4th July 2007, 03:09 PM

Agricultural implements have been used as weapons for thousands of years and this certainly looks like a weapon. It may have been based on a tool, but this looks to me like it was meant for more than bananas.

bbjw

katana · 4th July 2007, 03:23 PM

It certainly looks like a weapon, a closer view of the blade could be helpful.
Are there any markings / decoration on the blade? How thick is the blade and what shape is it in cross section?

Welcome to the forum Rod

Regards David

Rod Charters · 4th July 2007, 04:28 PM

The knife is in Nairobi at present and I'm in Zimbabwe but I'll try to get a closeup of the blade from the existing pictures. There are no markings on the blade but there's a large ridge running the entire length of the blade on both sides. Again I am not in a position to measure the thickness of the blade but I can say it's very heavy and far thicker than daggers or knives I've come across. Thanks for the welcome.

asomotif · 4th July 2007, 04:39 PM

it looks very well made and elaborate for an agricultural tool.

maybe ritual banana harvesting

G. McCormack · 4th July 2007, 07:09 PM

Never underestimate a banana.

That said, looks like a nice well made piece. Good find, and Welcome

Rod Charters · 4th July 2007, 08:58 PM

Some slightly better pictures of the blade.

katana · 5th July 2007, 01:42 PM

I would think an agricultural tool would be made as light as possible...but robust enough to suit its use. Constantly cutting vegetation would be very tiring with a heavy weight blade. Unless this was designed to cut the main trunk of a banana bush (not trees as some people think....in fact banana's are classified as a berry) then my vote is, its a weapon. Bearing in mind the medial ridge would not allow clean deep cuts into 'woody' branches .....human flesh, however, is another story.
Another clue could be the design of the scabbard, it seems to be designed for 'rapid' removal , not necessary for agricultural use.....unless your bananas are particularly aggressive

Regards David

Rod Charters · 5th July 2007, 04:58 PM

Thanks for all the good feedback. I think the consensus is that it is an edged weapon and bananas (berries) whilst not to be underestimated have not in the past been the main recipient of this blade. Rod.

4th July 2007, 03:09 PM	#1
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 230	Tool or weapon Agricultural implements have been used as weapons for thousands of years and this certainly looks like a weapon. It may have been based on a tool, but this looks to me like it was meant for more than bananas. bbjw

4th July 2007, 08:58 PM	#6
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Is this an edged weapon? Some slightly better pictures of the blade. Attached Images

4th July 2007, 03:23 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	It certainly looks like a weapon, a closer view of the blade could be helpful. Are there any markings / decoration on the blade? How thick is the blade and what shape is it in cross section? Welcome to the forum Rod Regards David

4th July 2007, 04:28 PM	#3
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	The knife is in Nairobi at present and I'm in Zimbabwe but I'll try to get a closeup of the blade from the existing pictures. There are no markings on the blade but there's a large ridge running the entire length of the blade on both sides. Again I am not in a position to measure the thickness of the blade but I can say it's very heavy and far thicker than daggers or knives I've come across. Thanks for the welcome.

4th July 2007, 04:39 PM	#4
asomotif Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 2,235	it looks very well made and elaborate for an agricultural tool. maybe ritual banana harvesting

4th July 2007, 07:09 PM	#5
G. McCormack Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Tallahassee, FL Posts: 131	Never underestimate a banana. That said, looks like a nice well made piece. Good find, and Welcome

5th July 2007, 01:42 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	I would think an agricultural tool would be made as light as possible...but robust enough to suit its use. Constantly cutting vegetation would be very tiring with a heavy weight blade. Unless this was designed to cut the main trunk of a banana bush (not trees as some people think....in fact banana's are classified as a berry) then my vote is, its a weapon. Bearing in mind the medial ridge would not allow clean deep cuts into 'woody' branches .....human flesh, however, is another story. Another clue could be the design of the scabbard, it seems to be designed for 'rapid' removal , not necessary for agricultural use.....unless your bananas are particularly aggressive Regards David

5th July 2007, 04:58 PM	#8
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Thanks for all the good feedback. I think the consensus is that it is an edged weapon and bananas (berries) whilst not to be underestimated have not in the past been the main recipient of this blade. Rod.