I am making a Samoan Nifo Oti

FancyShoesVlogs · 24th November 2019, 10:59 PM

I am going to make one of these. Found a couple pictures on this site of them. But it is very hard to find dimensions of them online. Do they have standard dimensions, or should I build them however I feel?

Edster · 26th November 2019, 05:10 AM

Welcome to the forum.

I have a Samoan club with 13 "teeth" on each side,nominally one inch apart, but of proportional length. You can get some scaling from the attached image. Tomorrow I'll provide some more detail and overall dimensions.

Best Regards,
Ed

Edster · 27th November 2019, 06:23 PM

Sorry for the delay.

Obviously this club, with double rows of "teeth", isn't the Nifo'oti billhook variety, bit close enough to provide reasonable dimensions. I collected this club new in Pago Pago in the early 1990s. It was a "tourist piece" reproduction as warfare was out of fashion. Yet the design is sophisticated and execution is first quality.

Refer to letters on the image for dimensions in inches.
A-F overall length 32 inches.
A-B 4.
B Thickness 1 3/4.
B Width 5 1/4.
Angle of point approx. 55 degrees.
B-C 14.
C Thickness 1 5/8
C Width 3 1/4
D Handle is a square. Thickness across corners 1 1/2. Note that the square's corners continue the length od the club as a central ridge.
C-E Handle 13 1/2
C-F 14
F is a small tab with a hole in it likely for a cord to hang the club.

Let me know if you need other info.

Regards,
Ed

FancyShoesVlogs · 18th April 2022, 06:52 AM

Getting close to having this project done. Hopefully I can finish it by end of May. Busy the next week, so not sure if I can get it done this month.

FancyShoesVlogs · 15th February 2023, 01:47 AM

I am so stinking close! Couple more sanding, profiling the hook, and edit the video, and this project will be done!

Ian · 15th February 2023, 11:19 AM

Welcome to the Forum.

As you have probably noticed, Oceania is not highly represented in our archives. Our late member, VANDOO, was a keen commenter on clubs in general, and especially those from the Pacific Islands. You might check out some of his threads here--the Advanced Search Function enables searching for topics by a member's name.

That's a mean piece of wood you've produced. How much does it weigh? Look forward to seeing the final version.

Regards,

Ian.

Sajen · 15th February 2023, 02:42 PM

Nice work so far! May I ask which wood sort you have used for the project?

Regards,
Detlef

Edster · 15th February 2023, 08:22 PM

Nice work on cutting the "teeth"!! No doubt their geometry was very challenging, but after it was figured it could be readily produced. It shows how sophisticated the indigenous craftsmen were. Well done.

FancyShoesVlogs · 16th February 2023, 08:28 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Welcome to the Forum.

As you have probably noticed, Oceania is not highly represented in our archives. Our late member, VANDOO, was a keen commenter on clubs in general, and especially those from the Pacific Islands. You might check out some of his threads here--the Advanced Search Function enables searching for topics by a member's name.

That's a mean piece of wood you've produced. How much does it weigh? Look forward to seeing the final version.

Regards,

Ian.

Not sure how much it weighs right now. Its for sure lighter than it started.

I am using Cocobolo as I had some for cheap from a auction.

FancyShoesVlogs · 18th February 2023, 01:17 AM

Finished

Ian · 20th February 2023, 12:55 PM

That's a beast!

FancyShoesVlogs · 25th February 2023, 03:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

That's a beast!

Thanks.

Here is a link to the build! Part 1 is uploaded.

https://youtu.be/QUdNQ_OoJHM

Battara · 27th February 2023, 09:59 PM

You could kill cows with that!

werecow · 28th February 2023, 03:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

You could kill cows with that! :eek:

Hey, now... }/:o|

FancyShoesVlogs · 27th July 2024, 11:26 PM

I finally made a stand for this. I entered it into the Indiana State fair wood carving contest.

FancyShoesVlogs · 28th September 2024, 12:03 PM

I got 2nd place

24th November 2019, 10:59 PM	#1
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	I am making a Samoan Nifo Oti I am going to make one of these. Found a couple pictures on this site of them. But it is very hard to find dimensions of them online. Do they have standard dimensions, or should I build them however I feel?

26th November 2019, 05:10 AM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Welcome to the forum. I have a Samoan club with 13 "teeth" on each side,nominally one inch apart, but of proportional length. You can get some scaling from the attached image. Tomorrow I'll provide some more detail and overall dimensions. Best Regards, Ed Attached Images

27th November 2019, 06:23 PM	#3
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Sorry for the delay. Obviously this club, with double rows of "teeth", isn't the Nifo'oti billhook variety, bit close enough to provide reasonable dimensions. I collected this club new in Pago Pago in the early 1990s. It was a "tourist piece" reproduction as warfare was out of fashion. Yet the design is sophisticated and execution is first quality. Refer to letters on the image for dimensions in inches. A-F overall length 32 inches. A-B 4. B Thickness 1 3/4. B Width 5 1/4. Angle of point approx. 55 degrees. B-C 14. C Thickness 1 5/8 C Width 3 1/4 D Handle is a square. Thickness across corners 1 1/2. Note that the square's corners continue the length od the club as a central ridge. C-E Handle 13 1/2 C-F 14 F is a small tab with a hole in it likely for a cord to hang the club. Let me know if you need other info. Regards, Ed Attached Images

18th April 2022, 06:52 AM	#4
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	Getting close to having this project done. Hopefully I can finish it by end of May. Busy the next week, so not sure if I can get it done this month. Attached Images

15th February 2023, 01:47 AM	#5
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	I am so stinking close! Couple more sanding, profiling the hook, and edit the video, and this project will be done! Attached Images

15th February 2023, 11:19 AM	#6
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	Welcome to the Forum. As you have probably noticed, Oceania is not highly represented in our archives. Our late member, VANDOO, was a keen commenter on clubs in general, and especially those from the Pacific Islands. You might check out some of his threads here--the Advanced Search Function enables searching for topics by a member's name. That's a mean piece of wood you've produced. How much does it weigh? Look forward to seeing the final version. Regards, Ian.

15th February 2023, 02:42 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Nice work so far! May I ask which wood sort you have used for the project? Regards, Detlef

15th February 2023, 08:22 PM	#8
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 408	Nice work on cutting the "teeth"!! No doubt their geometry was very challenging, but after it was figured it could be readily produced. It shows how sophisticated the indigenous craftsmen were. Well done.

18th February 2023, 01:17 AM	#10
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	Finished Attached Images

20th February 2023, 12:55 PM	#11
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,200	That's a beast!

27th February 2023, 09:59 PM	#13
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,221	You could kill cows with that!

27th July 2024, 11:26 PM	#15
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	I finally made a stand for this. I entered it into the Indiana State fair wood carving contest. Attached Images

28th September 2024, 12:03 PM	#16
FancyShoesVlogs Member Join Date: Nov 2019 Posts: 8	I got 2nd place Attached Images