African Ebony staff / walking stick / fighting stick

katana · 18th July 2009, 07:21 PM

Hi Lew

,
I have tried to find 'tourist' examples that are similar to mine, but have not found one......but I am still looking.
This is definately Ebony.....I worked out the approx. (but fairly accurate) volume (cubic centimeters) of the staff, and then weighed it. The density of Ebony is 1.22 grams per cubic centimeter ....which is almost identical to the result I obtained. ie the weight in grammes divided by the volume in cm3.

I think the staff was held in the LEFT hand. The handle (at the top) is deliberately offset. When held in the right hand the vulture (?) faces to the left . Held in the left hand the vulture faces perfectly forward.

The question is ....are all these types of staff used left-handed or was this made for a left-handed person. Or is there some symbolic, ritualistic or cultural reason for a staff to be held left handed........ a sinister staff indeed

Lew please could you post a picture of yours ? is yours 'handed' ?

Regards David

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18th July 2009, 07:21 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Lew , I have tried to find 'tourist' examples that are similar to mine, but have not found one......but I am still looking. This is definately Ebony.....I worked out the approx. (but fairly accurate) volume (cubic centimeters) of the staff, and then weighed it. The density of Ebony is 1.22 grams per cubic centimeter ....which is almost identical to the result I obtained. ie the weight in grammes divided by the volume in cm3. I think the staff was held in the LEFT hand. The handle (at the top) is deliberately offset. When held in the right hand the vulture (?) faces to the left . Held in the left hand the vulture faces perfectly forward. The question is ....are all these types of staff used left-handed or was this made for a left-handed person. Or is there some symbolic, ritualistic or cultural reason for a staff to be held left handed........ a sinister staff indeed Lew please could you post a picture of yours ? is yours 'handed' ? Regards David