Fabulous Monitor Lizard scabbard.
 

I got this the other day from Freddy. I have now had time to study it more closely. I think it has been fashioned from a machete blade, like Massai seme also from the mid 20th century. It seems it may also have been just a little longer at the tip. It was collected not long after the final modification. The feel in the hand is nicely balanced like the old weapons, perhaps it had to be ground a couple of times to achieve this hence the abrupt cut in the decoration. I have been really sinful and put more of an edge on the knife. I show it next to an old sword. You can see some qualitative difference in the manufacture. What is interesting is that the mid 20th century one has a tang through the handle with a button at the handle tip. The old one has a cone like cover forming the handle end, so I cannot tell what the tang arrangement is. The scabbard it covered in a plant juice lacquer? Anyway just look at how lovely and boastful the scabbard is. A knife is naked without a scabbard. :eek:

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka001.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka002.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka004.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka005.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka006.jpg
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...py/yaka010.jpg

I sat and put an edge to this knife, I might have done something really spooky :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek: :D :shrug:

Hi Tim,
long time...no see.... good to hear from you :)
That is a very nice specimen, congrats ;)