African axes, try out?

Freddy · 10th December 2004, 06:35 PM

This is my smallest African axe. The blade only measures 11,5 cm in length, the cutting edge is 2,5 cm wide.
At first, I considered this as an tourist object of little intrest. Nevertheless, this was the first beaded axe I found. Mostly, I find beaded sickle knives.
The origin of these weapons is Ruanda and Burundi, made and/or used by the Tutsi.

In the tribal art magazine 'Tribal' nr. 7, summer edition 2004, I found an intresting article concerning the art of Ruanda and Burundi. Among the items shown in this article were beaded knives, swords, scepters and all kinds of other objects. It seems this was a way for the ruling class to show off.
The article made me look at these beaded objects in a different way.

VANDOO · 22nd October 2005, 04:42 PM

JUST BUMPING THIS ONE UP AS IT GIVES GOOD INFO ON AFRICAN AXES. I ADDED A COUPLE AXE PICTURES ALSO , NOT MY AXES UNFORTUNATELY, BUT NICE EXAMPLES.

VANDOO · 7th January 2006, 02:21 AM

BUMPING THIS ONE UP AGAIN AS THERE IS A NEW AXE QUESTION ON A FANG AXE (SHONA) MY EXAMPLE IS SMALL 9.75 INCH L X 7 7/8 INCH W HEAD. THE HANDLE IS WRAPPED IN COPPER WIRE WITH A COPPER END CAP. THE BLADE IS STEEL WITH SOME DESIGN AND THE EDGES ARE SHARP ESPECIALLY ON THE BEAK PART. I WOULD NOT WANT TO CHOOSE IT FOR A WEAPON BUT I ALSO WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE TO COME AFTER ME WITH IT AS IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMMAGE. NOTE HOW THE COPPER WIRE IS ATTACHED TO THE BLADE SPUR AND HAMMERED FLAT. SEE PICTURE IN MY PREVIOUS POST ABOVE.

22nd October 2005, 04:42 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	JUST BUMPING THIS ONE UP AS IT GIVES GOOD INFO ON AFRICAN AXES. I ADDED A COUPLE AXE PICTURES ALSO , NOT MY AXES UNFORTUNATELY, BUT NICE EXAMPLES. Attached Images

10th December 2004, 06:35 PM	#1
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	This is my smallest African axe. The blade only measures 11,5 cm in length, the cutting edge is 2,5 cm wide. At first, I considered this as an tourist object of little intrest. Nevertheless, this was the first beaded axe I found. Mostly, I find beaded sickle knives. The origin of these weapons is Ruanda and Burundi, made and/or used by the Tutsi. In the tribal art magazine 'Tribal' nr. 7, summer edition 2004, I found an intresting article concerning the art of Ruanda and Burundi. Among the items shown in this article were beaded knives, swords, scepters and all kinds of other objects. It seems this was a way for the ruling class to show off. The article made me look at these beaded objects in a different way.

7th January 2006, 02:21 AM	#3
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	BUMPING THIS ONE UP AGAIN AS THERE IS A NEW AXE QUESTION ON A FANG AXE (SHONA) MY EXAMPLE IS SMALL 9.75 INCH L X 7 7/8 INCH W HEAD. THE HANDLE IS WRAPPED IN COPPER WIRE WITH A COPPER END CAP. THE BLADE IS STEEL WITH SOME DESIGN AND THE EDGES ARE SHARP ESPECIALLY ON THE BEAK PART. I WOULD NOT WANT TO CHOOSE IT FOR A WEAPON BUT I ALSO WOULD NOT WANT ANYONE TO COME AFTER ME WITH IT AS IT COULD DO SOME SERIOUS DAMMAGE. NOTE HOW THE COPPER WIRE IS ATTACHED TO THE BLADE SPUR AND HAMMERED FLAT. SEE PICTURE IN MY PREVIOUS POST ABOVE.