request for advice: to clean or not to clean?

gp · 13th July 2020, 11:34 AM

Should I leave the blade as it is or should I try to clean it ?
Why I ask:
I am afraid of damaging or even removing the yellow coloured ( gold painted?) curved stripe...
Thank you for your advice ! Highly appreciated

Sajen · 13th July 2020, 12:36 PM

Hi Gunar,

It look like an Algerian knife (razor?). And yes, please clean the blade and polish up a little bit (not too much) the brass handle. Don't worry, the brass inlay is deep enough so there is no danger to remove it.

Regards,
Detlef

gp · 13th July 2020, 12:59 PM

Thnx a lot ! I have been told origin to be central Asia.
It's total lenght is 28 cm , unfortunately no scabbard

mariusgmioc · 13th July 2020, 04:45 PM

Hello GP,

Nice knife!

While I do not know this particular type of knife, the style and decorations seem typical Algerian to me as well. I have a couple of Flyssa swords with similar decorations.

The golden decoration is most likely some bras inlay.

I would also recommend moderate cleaning/polishing. The inlay should not be damaged if polished gently with grit 1500 (or just with polishing paste).

gp · 13th July 2020, 04:55 PM

Thnx a lot gents for the cleaningtips and the determination of its origin !

Jim McDougall · 13th July 2020, 06:31 PM

As Detlef and Marius have indicated, this is very much Saharan, probably Algerian, and seems related to the bou saadi knives but the motif as also noted of the 'flyssa' variety. There are as might be expected, considerable variations of these Saharan edged weapons, and this appears 19th c. into early 20th. Its always hard to say as these traditional weapons remained in use for generations in these tribes.

The motif is related to the type seen on the flyssa, which seem to have a combination of linear talismanic oriented theme along with often somewhat personalized devices.

I would as always recommend restraint, stabilize any corrosion but try to keep as much patina as possible (personal taste).

13th July 2020, 11:34 AM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 717	request for advice: to clean or not to clean? Should I leave the blade as it is or should I try to clean it ? Why I ask: I am afraid of damaging or even removing the yellow coloured ( gold painted?) curved stripe... Thank you for your advice ! Highly appreciated Attached Images

13th July 2020, 04:45 PM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	Hello GP, Nice knife! While I do not know this particular type of knife, the style and decorations seem typical Algerian to me as well. I have a couple of Flyssa swords with similar decorations. The golden decoration is most likely some bras inlay. I would also recommend moderate cleaning/polishing. The inlay should not be damaged if polished gently with grit 1500 (or just with polishing paste). Last edited by mariusgmioc; 13th July 2020 at 04:55 PM.

13th July 2020, 12:36 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,769	Hi Gunar, It look like an Algerian knife (razor?). And yes, please clean the blade and polish up a little bit (not too much) the brass handle. Don't worry, the brass inlay is deep enough so there is no danger to remove it. Regards, Detlef

13th July 2020, 12:59 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 717	Thnx a lot ! I have been told origin to be central Asia. It's total lenght is 28 cm , unfortunately no scabbard

13th July 2020, 04:55 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 717	Thnx a lot gents for the cleaningtips and the determination of its origin !

13th July 2020, 06:31 PM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,942	As Detlef and Marius have indicated, this is very much Saharan, probably Algerian, and seems related to the bou saadi knives but the motif as also noted of the 'flyssa' variety. There are as might be expected, considerable variations of these Saharan edged weapons, and this appears 19th c. into early 20th. Its always hard to say as these traditional weapons remained in use for generations in these tribes. The motif is related to the type seen on the flyssa, which seem to have a combination of linear talismanic oriented theme along with often somewhat personalized devices. I would as always recommend restraint, stabilize any corrosion but try to keep as much patina as possible (personal taste).