East African safari

Gavin Nugent · 21st March 2008, 01:34 AM

That is a nice looking blade you have there. My first thoughts are that it is styled after the Roman Gladius which is certainly possible with the Roman's being in Africa in centuries past. Historically, maybe a remnant of an age old Roman legacy that has been handed down from knife maker to knife maker?

regards

Gavin

Freddy · 21st March 2008, 07:02 PM

Tim, in my opinion this piece is not East African. I think it comes from Cameroon. I've seen sheaths made out of similar material. Just can't remember where

Tim Simmons · 21st March 2008, 08:12 PM

I can go with that too Freddy. There are aspects of the handle that did seem West African right from the first sight of the item. The fuller is often seen in the regions of the Nigerian/Cameroon border possibly more Nigerian influence? Saying that I am interested in the flared sides of the blade at the forte, any ideas?

Tim Simmons · 23rd March 2008, 06:03 PM

Freddy, it appears you are quite correct.

http://www.mambele.be/knife_detail.p...r=0538&rowno=1

this is the picture the link should show

21st March 2008, 01:34 AM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Roman Gladius That is a nice looking blade you have there. My first thoughts are that it is styled after the Roman Gladius which is certainly possible with the Roman's being in Africa in centuries past. Historically, maybe a remnant of an age old Roman legacy that has been handed down from knife maker to knife maker? regards Gavin

23rd March 2008, 06:03 PM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	Freddy, it appears you are quite correct. http://www.mambele.be/knife_detail.p...r=0538&rowno=1 this is the picture the link should show Attached Images Last edited by Tim Simmons; 23rd March 2008 at 09:00 PM.

21st March 2008, 07:02 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Tim, in my opinion this piece is not East African. I think it comes from Cameroon. I've seen sheaths made out of similar material. Just can't remember where

21st March 2008, 08:12 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	I can go with that too Freddy. There are aspects of the handle that did seem West African right from the first sight of the item. The fuller is often seen in the regions of the Nigerian/Cameroon border possibly more Nigerian influence? Saying that I am interested in the flared sides of the blade at the forte, any ideas?