Help to Identify African Knives / Swords

Rod Charters · 13th October 2007, 10:05 PM

Thanks Tim thats been very helpful. I'll PM Luc,

Rod

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th October 2007, 10:35 PM

Hi Rod,
Tim is right, this is a poor copy of a Kipinga (sorry), the major throwing knife of the Zande who lives in the north-east of Congo (RDC) just under the Ubangi river.
They where great warriors with a big organized army and have a specific shield where they store 2 or 3 throwing knives.
The TK never have wood handle, only "flexible" material, and just at the base of the stem for a good grip, not in the middle.
The engraving on the blade ,which looks like a man, is a chameleon, a totemic animal and a symbol of a very fast strike.
The Kipinga is a good TK which has a good comportment in flight.
http://lulef.free.fr/html/zande.html

Luc

Rod Charters · 13th October 2007, 10:44 PM

Thanks to both of you and good to know next time I get offered an "African Chiefs Knife".

13th October 2007, 10:35 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Hi Rod, Tim is right, this is a poor copy of a Kipinga (sorry), the major throwing knife of the Zande who lives in the north-east of Congo (RDC) just under the Ubangi river. They where great warriors with a big organized army and have a specific shield where they store 2 or 3 throwing knives. The TK never have wood handle, only "flexible" material, and just at the base of the stem for a good grip, not in the middle. The engraving on the blade ,which looks like a man, is a chameleon, a totemic animal and a symbol of a very fast strike. The Kipinga is a good TK which has a good comportment in flight. http://lulef.free.fr/html/zande.html Luc Attached Images

13th October 2007, 10:05 PM	#1
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Thanks Tim thats been very helpful. I'll PM Luc, Rod

13th October 2007, 10:44 PM	#3
Rod Charters Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Posts: 48	Thanks to both of you and good to know next time I get offered an "African Chiefs Knife".