Mangbetu Knife

[Nagawarrior]

Just found. Love these knives.
Someone in the past has polished the blade unfortunatly.
Blade patina helps date. I'm having a hard time with this one. The handle does show nice patina. Maybe early 20th century.
How old do you think?
Now, if I wanted to "age" or darken the blade. What can I do? I'm impatient, can't wait 100 years. Was thinking of PCB board etchant.

-Stephen*

[ericlaude]

As Luc say " the museum and the books present the knive, clean. your knife is clean its cool and its age is real I think 1930 .

[Freddy]

Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet).

Why would you want to darken the blade ? If I'm not mistaken, like all warriors, the Africans also kept their blades 'clean'. Look at these guys, especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

[Nagawarrior]

Originally Posted by Freddy

Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet).

Why would you want to darken the blade ? If I'm not mistaken, like all warriors, the Africans also kept their blades 'clean'. Look at these guys, especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

You are both right. It is so "polished" looking, like someone took it to a buffing wheel. Just wanted to tone it down a bit. Think I'll just oil it up and leave it be. I'm really very pleased with this piece. Been looking for one at a good price for a while and found it.
-Stephen

[TimW]

There is a very similar knife in Tribal arts monographs vol 1 n° 3 (p 24 knife 5). I'll try to upload a scan of the knife soon.

Age is stated to be before 1920 (but older than 1900).

[asomotif]

Originally Posted by Freddy

especially the one on the right. The weapons of the two others have a darker center, but the edges are still clean.

I think the reflection on the right one is different, but all 3 have dark centre and clear edges.

I haven't seen this hilt type neither. nice one Stepehn !

I can Imagine that it is to shiny for your taste. maybe a little etching with acid or FeCl would help ?

Best regards,
Willem

[Nagawarrior]

Originally Posted by asomotif

I think the reflection on the right one is different, but all 3 have dark centre and clear edges.

I haven't seen this hilt type neither. nice one Stepehn !

I can Imagine that it is to shiny for your taste. maybe a little etching with acid or FeCl would help ?

Best regards,
Willem

Thats what I was thinking Wilem, just toneing it down a bit with the etching acid. I'm just going to leave it for now I think. Didn't realize the hilt was rare, guess I did OK with this one.

Originally Posted by TimW

There is a very similar knife in Tribal arts monographs vol 1 n° 3 (p 24 knife 5). I'll try to upload a scan of the knife soon.

Age is stated to be before 1920 (but older than 1900).

Look forward to the pics. Thanks!

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

As Freddy says : " Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet)."

[Nagawarrior]

Originally Posted by Luc LEFEBVRE

As Freddy says : " Nice piece with a special handle. I haven't seen this type of handle (yet)."

This coming from you and Freddy makes me feel good. Thanks guys.

[TimW]

I promised you the pictures from the book...





have fun looking