Shi sword for comment

Martin Lubojacky · 6th December 2014, 09:20 PM

I am enclossing a few pictures of the sword I have acquired recently. I think it is not long, not short - the total length (in the sheath) is 78 cms, length of the blade is 59 cms. Interesting is that the blade is relatively wide - it is 4 cms wide at the base (I thought Shi swords were narrower). Thickness of the blade is 1.2 - 1.3 cm at the central rib. It is heavy and it could be used as a machete (again surprising for me).
The sheath is two-coloured and I would like to know, if this has any implication, or if the reason is purely aesthetical (till now I saw only one colour Shi sheaths).
Fur was wrapped around the sheath at its end and at its mouth. I removed it temporarily to check the state of the wood, but, very probably, I will not put it back, since the state of the fur is bad (it is losing hair). Does the fur has any deeper sence, or is it just decoration ? Any comment is warm welcome.
Regards,
Martin

Sajen · 6th December 2014, 11:08 PM

Hello Martin,

very nice Shi sword of good age. To sad that the fur is in bad state. I think that it is added for talismanic purpose. The two coloured scabbard is decorative IMVHO.

Regards,
Detlef

Congoblades · 6th December 2014, 11:54 PM

A two-coloured sheath is fairly common but usually the two-tone effect was obtained by metal wire.

Tim Simmons · 7th December 2014, 09:30 AM

There is something really I like about these and other swords from surrounding areas.

Congoblades · 7th December 2014, 01:20 PM

Shi sword and dagger from my collection.

Sajen · 7th December 2014, 02:09 PM

This one was once in my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=shi-havu

Martin Lubojacky · 7th December 2014, 11:04 PM

Thank you all for the comments. There are wild rabbits in Africa - I would say they are common. The fur could be monkey, too ( I think there is more possibilities). Congoblades, thanks for nice pictures - I did not see such "superb" styles of the Shi swords till now. It ´s also nice o see the couple - dagger and sword in the same style. BTW, there are varieties (different handles etc.) - which other groups used this style sword (Tutsi ??) ?
Regards,
Martin

Congoblades · 8th December 2014, 04:04 PM

The one with fur and decorated scabbard should be Hutu - Tutsi.
These swords were worn to the rear of the head

6th December 2014, 09:20 PM	#1
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Shi sword for comment I am enclossing a few pictures of the sword I have acquired recently. I think it is not long, not short - the total length (in the sheath) is 78 cms, length of the blade is 59 cms. Interesting is that the blade is relatively wide - it is 4 cms wide at the base (I thought Shi swords were narrower). Thickness of the blade is 1.2 - 1.3 cm at the central rib. It is heavy and it could be used as a machete (again surprising for me). The sheath is two-coloured and I would like to know, if this has any implication, or if the reason is purely aesthetical (till now I saw only one colour Shi sheaths). Fur was wrapped around the sheath at its end and at its mouth. I removed it temporarily to check the state of the wood, but, very probably, I will not put it back, since the state of the fur is bad (it is losing hair). Does the fur has any deeper sence, or is it just decoration ? Any comment is warm welcome. Regards, Martin Attached Images

6th December 2014, 11:54 PM	#3
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	A two-coloured sheath is fairly common but usually the two-tone effect was obtained by metal wire. Attached Images

7th December 2014, 01:20 PM	#5
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	Shi sword and dagger from my collection. Attached Images

8th December 2014, 04:04 PM	#8
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	The one with fur and decorated scabbard should be Hutu - Tutsi. These swords were worn to the rear of the head Attached Images

6th December 2014, 11:08 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Hello Martin, very nice Shi sword of good age. To sad that the fur is in bad state. I think that it is added for talismanic purpose. The two coloured scabbard is decorative IMVHO. Regards, Detlef

7th December 2014, 09:30 AM	#4
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	There is something really I like about these and other swords from surrounding areas.

7th December 2014, 02:09 PM	#6
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	This one was once in my collection: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...light=shi-havu

7th December 2014, 11:04 PM	#7
Martin Lubojacky Member Join Date: May 2008 Location: Czech Republic Posts: 841	Thank you all for the comments. There are wild rabbits in Africa - I would say they are common. The fur could be monkey, too ( I think there is more possibilities). Congoblades, thanks for nice pictures - I did not see such "superb" styles of the Shi swords till now. It ´s also nice o see the couple - dagger and sword in the same style. BTW, there are varieties (different handles etc.) - which other groups used this style sword (Tutsi ??) ? Regards, Martin