sucker for African sickles

Freddy · 3rd November 2007, 01:27 PM

Just want to add this : the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap. Tim, at the base of the wooden handle you will see the iron tang curled up to form a loop. Sometimes there are also holes in the base of the handle for the same purpose.

fernando · 3rd November 2007, 02:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Freddy

... the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap.

No more mistery. Clever thing. Thanks Freddy

Jim McDougall · 4th November 2007, 09:22 PM

I think your ideas concerning the possible manner of use with these weapons is very well placed Tim. It seems that for the most part, tribal conflict in Africa was in varying degree settled by limited combat of champion warriors. I believe that Spring addressed this somewhat and the formidable appearance of certain weapons was more inclined toward psychological effect than actual practical application.
Freddy, thank you so much for explaining the purpose of that little half moon!! I had one of these interesting swords, and cannot tell you how maddening it was trying to figure out what the heck that was there for!!

BTW, which tribes and regions were these swords common to? I believe they were Congo of course, but more specific? Also I am not sure of the correct term for them (I think it is noted in "Beaute Fatale").

All best regards,
Jim

fernando · 4th November 2007, 09:49 PM

Hi Jim,

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

BTW, which tribes and regions were these swords common to? I believe they were Congo of course, but more specific? Also I am not sure of the correct term for them (I think it is noted in "Beaute Fatale").

Before experts will evolute further into it, this was used by the tribes Boa and Bandia. It appears that its name in Bandia is "Mambeli".

Tim Simmons · 4th November 2007, 10:16 PM

I am far from knowledgeable on these matters but I think this type of weapon with various styles is found in an extensive area of the Congo but also in the S. Sudan, areas influenced by Zande, Mangbetu. I would even think this form or version of the form might have been found in what is present day Ethiopia.
I am really going to town cleaning these two. They are basically only covered very light rust except and a bit except for two horrible rust cankers on each blade. I am in the process of getting rid of them. It is proving hard work indeed. I am nearly there but I will have to polish the blades a bit as the rust remover is a little harsh. pics to follow.

Tim Simmons · 8th November 2007, 11:15 AM

I took these scabs of rust back to the bare metal. To avoid etching do not leave the rust remover on as long as the bottle says but work in short bursts with a steel tooth brush. When bare metal the patches looked a bit weired so I had to work back. I think I have got a good balance between removing a rust canker and leaving enough dirt and patina on the rest of the blade.

roanoa · 8th November 2007, 06:31 PM

Hi, Tim. Fantastic blades. The similarities with the Ethiopian shotels are striking (no pun intended). And talking about shotels...... I hate to bring this up again, and I agree that my opinion is not worth that much, BUT let me start by saying that the shotel may be very curved or almost straight. Regardless of the curvature, it is virtually impossible to do any damage by "reaching around the opponent's shield". If you have a shotel you can try.... You may just be able to tickle your opponents and while doing so you will leave yourself wide open to be stabbed. I guess the "reaching around the shield" is one of those myths that eons ago someone thought of, put in writing and became gospel. Lots of these "myths" around as you all well know. The shotel is used to strike with the TIP and it has lots of periferal striking force. Then again, it's only my opinion.

8th November 2007, 11:15 AM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	I took these scabs of rust back to the bare metal. To avoid etching do not leave the rust remover on as long as the bottle says but work in short bursts with a steel tooth brush. When bare metal the patches looked a bit weired so I had to work back. I think I have got a good balance between removing a rust canker and leaving enough dirt and patina on the rest of the blade. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 8th November 2007 at 11:29 AM.

3rd November 2007, 01:27 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Just want to add this : the little 'axe head' or 'half moon' is used for attaching a leather strap. Tim, at the base of the wooden handle you will see the iron tang curled up to form a loop. Sometimes there are also holes in the base of the handle for the same purpose.

4th November 2007, 09:22 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,189	I think your ideas concerning the possible manner of use with these weapons is very well placed Tim. It seems that for the most part, tribal conflict in Africa was in varying degree settled by limited combat of champion warriors. I believe that Spring addressed this somewhat and the formidable appearance of certain weapons was more inclined toward psychological effect than actual practical application. Freddy, thank you so much for explaining the purpose of that little half moon!! I had one of these interesting swords, and cannot tell you how maddening it was trying to figure out what the heck that was there for!! BTW, which tribes and regions were these swords common to? I believe they were Congo of course, but more specific? Also I am not sure of the correct term for them (I think it is noted in "Beaute Fatale"). All best regards, Jim

4th November 2007, 10:16 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,842	I am far from knowledgeable on these matters but I think this type of weapon with various styles is found in an extensive area of the Congo but also in the S. Sudan, areas influenced by Zande, Mangbetu. I would even think this form or version of the form might have been found in what is present day Ethiopia. I am really going to town cleaning these two. They are basically only covered very light rust except and a bit except for two horrible rust cankers on each blade. I am in the process of getting rid of them. It is proving hard work indeed. I am nearly there but I will have to polish the blades a bit as the rust remover is a little harsh. pics to follow.

8th November 2007, 06:31 PM	#7
roanoa Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 241	Hi, Tim. Fantastic blades. The similarities with the Ethiopian shotels are striking (no pun intended). And talking about shotels...... I hate to bring this up again, and I agree that my opinion is not worth that much, BUT let me start by saying that the shotel may be very curved or almost straight. Regardless of the curvature, it is virtually impossible to do any damage by "reaching around the opponent's shield". If you have a shotel you can try.... You may just be able to tickle your opponents and while doing so you will leave yourself wide open to be stabbed. I guess the "reaching around the shield" is one of those myths that eons ago someone thought of, put in writing and became gospel. Lots of these "myths" around as you all well know. The shotel is used to strike with the TIP and it has lots of periferal striking force. Then again, it's only my opinion.