3 worn but honest African knives

Miguel · 16th April 2017, 03:41 PM

Hello Everyone,

Thought I would share these before they are returned to their storage box.

No 1:- Sword of the Fang people of Gabon lost its tip and no scabbard unfortunately. O/L is 18.5 ins with a blade length of 12.5 ins x 1.75 ins wide. Blade would probably have been 13 in or more before losing its tip.

No 2:- Small loop dagger of the Tiv people of Nigeria. O/L is 9.25 ins with blade length of 5 ins x 1.5 ins wide.

No 3:- I think but am not sure that this one is Sudanese. O/L is 12 ins with blade length of 6.75 ins x 1.375 ins wide having crude scratch decoration. The hilt and scabbard are from some type of reptile skin stiched along the back.
Miguel

Pieje · 30th April 2017, 11:33 PM

Great Fang! I love them.
If mine, I wouldn't have cleaned it that much, but that's personal taste.

Miguel · 1st May 2017, 04:09 PM

Thanks Pieje, I like them too, wished I had the scabbard to this one but no such luck, I don't seem able to resist cleaning copper and brass but it will oxidise again in time.
Miguel

Pieje · 4th May 2017, 08:50 PM

Hi Miguel,

:-) I understand, did the same once with the copper nails on the butt stock of an 'africanised' rifle...I regretted, but couple of months later oxidation had already darkened the nails again.

I also have some Fang knives, will post a picture.

Miguel · 5th May 2017, 05:06 PM

Hello Pieje,

Great trio of Fang knives with scabbards. I didn't realize that the scabbards varied so much, I have only seen the wide one as the first item in your photo. Is the reason tribal or status or just individual preference, do you happen know?
Miguel

Pieje · 5th May 2017, 05:08 PM

Thank you.
In fact I have never seen a scabbard like my first Fang, did you??

Almost all Fangs have scabbards like the second and third.
The third one is probably the oldest of the three.

Sajen · 5th May 2017, 06:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieje

I also have some Fang knives, will post a picture.

Hello Pieje,

can you show us the blades as well?

Regards,
Detlef

Pieje · 5th May 2017, 09:47 PM

Here they are (at least 2 of the 3):

Miguel · 6th May 2017, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieje

Thank you.
In fact I have never seen a scabbard like my first Fang, did you??

Almost all Fangs have scabbards like the second and third.
The third one is probably the oldest of the three.

Yes but only online, if I remember the site I will let you know.
Miguel

Sajen · 6th May 2017, 04:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pieje

Here they are (at least 2 of the 3):

Thank you, very nice!

I really like the Fang swords/knives.

Regards,
Detlef

16th April 2017, 03:41 PM	#1
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	3 worn but honest African knives Hello Everyone, Thought I would share these before they are returned to their storage box. No 1:- Sword of the Fang people of Gabon lost its tip and no scabbard unfortunately. O/L is 18.5 ins with a blade length of 12.5 ins x 1.75 ins wide. Blade would probably have been 13 in or more before losing its tip. No 2:- Small loop dagger of the Tiv people of Nigeria. O/L is 9.25 ins with blade length of 5 ins x 1.5 ins wide. No 3:- I think but am not sure that this one is Sudanese. O/L is 12 ins with blade length of 6.75 ins x 1.375 ins wide having crude scratch decoration. The hilt and scabbard are from some type of reptile skin stiched along the back. Miguel Attached Images

4th May 2017, 08:50 PM	#4
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Hi Miguel, :-) I understand, did the same once with the copper nails on the butt stock of an 'africanised' rifle...I regretted, but couple of months later oxidation had already darkened the nails again. I also have some Fang knives, will post a picture. Attached Images

5th May 2017, 09:47 PM	#8
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Here they are (at least 2 of the 3): Attached Images

30th April 2017, 11:33 PM	#2
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Great Fang! I love them. If mine, I wouldn't have cleaned it that much, but that's personal taste.

1st May 2017, 04:09 PM	#3
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Thanks Pieje, I like them too, wished I had the scabbard to this one but no such luck, I don't seem able to resist cleaning copper and brass but it will oxidise again in time. Miguel

5th May 2017, 05:06 PM	#5
Miguel Member Join Date: Jun 2015 Posts: 584	Hello Pieje, Great trio of Fang knives with scabbards. I didn't realize that the scabbards varied so much, I have only seen the wide one as the first item in your photo. Is the reason tribal or status or just individual preference, do you happen know? Miguel

5th May 2017, 05:08 PM	#6
Pieje Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Belgium Posts: 132	Thank you. In fact I have never seen a scabbard like my first Fang, did you?? Almost all Fangs have scabbards like the second and third. The third one is probably the oldest of the three.