please, can anyone identify this crude (African?) sword

katana · 31st January 2006, 06:05 PM

Thanks Tim. I used the word 'crude' not as a derogatory term, but rather as a way to descibe the forging of the blade I think there is a type of honesty in the fact that there is little or no machining in many examples of African weaponary. I have tried to forge a blade, and as you correctly state it is not as easy as it looks. I am sorry if you thought I was being insulting to the forger(s) of such weapons, but I am not.
Thankyou for the information, you have made my day.

Freddy · 31st January 2006, 07:38 PM

What Tim said about the origin of this knife is correct. These knives are used over a vast area in Africa.

The size is, in my opinion, also an indication that it's a newer piece. These knives are also called 'arm knives'. They are worn on the upper arm, just above the elbow. I think a knife as long as yours wouldn't be easy to carry in this way.

Normally, they have the size of small daggers. Both my knives measure about 29 cm (11,6 inches).

The blades of both knives are fairly thick. One even has a thick middlerib (last picture). The edges are sharpened, but as you said, they are probably more used for stabbing.

I found a picture from a book by Leni Riefenstahl, who visited remote areas of Africa to make documentaries. One of her photos a man is shown wearing a knife on his left arm (look at the man on the right). It's not a knife like the ones above, but the way of carrying it is the same.
These are Nuba of Kau, living in the south-eastern part of the Sudanese province Kordofan.

Tim Simmons · 31st January 2006, 07:52 PM

Which book is this? I have "people of Kau" she has done remarkable work in the southern Sudan. Shame about her past but a girl has to make a living. Where are your sickle knives? Tim

ariel · 31st January 2006, 10:52 PM

About 3 years ago I was at a small meeting in Feldafing: a very picturesque village in Bavaria, across the lake from Switzerland.
That's where Leni lived, and she even had her 100 yo birth party in our hotel.
Having had one beer too many (in honesty, much more....) we all wanted to visit her in her home and ask for authographs. In the last moment, last functioning neurons prevailed and we stayed in the hotel, drinking more.
About 3-4 miles from there there is a museum built by Lothar Buchheim (the author of "Das Boot"), abstract art and tons of African swords.

katana · 1st February 2006, 10:55 AM

Thanks Freddy,
it seems that African knife design is very 'fluid', adaptions and modifications seem very common. I think that is why my interest in African knives is growing.

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31st January 2006, 06:05 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Tim. I used the word 'crude' not as a derogatory term, but rather as a way to descibe the forging of the blade I think there is a type of honesty in the fact that there is little or no machining in many examples of African weaponary. I have tried to forge a blade, and as you correctly state it is not as easy as it looks. I am sorry if you thought I was being insulting to the forger(s) of such weapons, but I am not. Thankyou for the information, you have made my day.

31st January 2006, 07:38 PM	#2
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	What Tim said about the origin of this knife is correct. These knives are used over a vast area in Africa. The size is, in my opinion, also an indication that it's a newer piece. These knives are also called 'arm knives'. They are worn on the upper arm, just above the elbow. I think a knife as long as yours wouldn't be easy to carry in this way. Normally, they have the size of small daggers. Both my knives measure about 29 cm (11,6 inches). The blades of both knives are fairly thick. One even has a thick middlerib (last picture). The edges are sharpened, but as you said, they are probably more used for stabbing. I found a picture from a book by Leni Riefenstahl, who visited remote areas of Africa to make documentaries. One of her photos a man is shown wearing a knife on his left arm (look at the man on the right). It's not a knife like the ones above, but the way of carrying it is the same. These are Nuba of Kau, living in the south-eastern part of the Sudanese province Kordofan.

31st January 2006, 07:52 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,967	Which book is this? I have "people of Kau" she has done remarkable work in the southern Sudan. Shame about her past but a girl has to make a living. Where are your sickle knives? Tim

31st January 2006, 10:52 PM	#4
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	About 3 years ago I was at a small meeting in Feldafing: a very picturesque village in Bavaria, across the lake from Switzerland. That's where Leni lived, and she even had her 100 yo birth party in our hotel. Having had one beer too many (in honesty, much more....) we all wanted to visit her in her home and ask for authographs. In the last moment, last functioning neurons prevailed and we stayed in the hotel, drinking more. About 3-4 miles from there there is a museum built by Lothar Buchheim (the author of "Das Boot"), abstract art and tons of African swords.

1st February 2006, 10:55 AM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Freddy, it seems that African knife design is very 'fluid', adaptions and modifications seem very common. I think that is why my interest in African knives is growing.