Modified African Weapons ??

drac2k · 11th December 2018, 10:06 PM

I recently acquired a grouping and these were among them.
The modified Robert Mole and Sons Machete looked like a panabas, however, I assumed that it was African due to the wire work and usually these modified blades are either African or Carribean.
The embellished butchers' knife looked like a Nifo Oti, however, the wicked tooth was on the cutting side and not the back, so I am assuming that it is African as well.
Does anyone have a different opinion?

Timo Nieminen · 15th December 2018, 06:03 AM

The one with the spike is a beet hook. The spike is for spiking and pulling a beet (already pulled from the ground, rather than out of the ground), after which the green top is cut off. The spike reduces the need for the worker to bend over as far.

A photo of one being used is attached, from https://oregonhistoryproject.org/art...s-sugar-beets/

Some footage of this being done can be seen at https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detai...tage/915170266

drac2k · 15th December 2018, 04:40 PM

Mystery Solved! Thanks for your good detective work. I never would have guessed that this blade was a "Beet Impaler & Decapitator;" yes I'm just trying to make a garden tool sound impressive.

11th December 2018, 10:06 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Modified African Weapons ?? I recently acquired a grouping and these were among them. The modified Robert Mole and Sons Machete looked like a panabas, however, I assumed that it was African due to the wire work and usually these modified blades are either African or Carribean. The embellished butchers' knife looked like a Nifo Oti, however, the wicked tooth was on the cutting side and not the back, so I am assuming that it is African as well. Does anyone have a different opinion? Attached Images

15th December 2018, 06:03 AM	#2
Timo Nieminen Member Join Date: Mar 2012 Posts: 422	The one with the spike is a beet hook. The spike is for spiking and pulling a beet (already pulled from the ground, rather than out of the ground), after which the green top is cut off. The spike reduces the need for the worker to bend over as far. A photo of one being used is attached, from https://oregonhistoryproject.org/art...s-sugar-beets/ Some footage of this being done can be seen at https://www.gettyimages.com.au/detai...tage/915170266 Attached Images

15th December 2018, 04:40 PM	#3
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,230	Mystery Solved! Thanks for your good detective work. I never would have guessed that this blade was a "Beet Impaler & Decapitator;" yes I'm just trying to make a garden tool sound impressive.