Sahelian knife

Battara · 22nd August 2020, 01:31 AM

Great work! The Tuareg live in those areas of the Sahara you mentioned, and have even a further reach in the desert. And yes they are and have been great silversmiths.

When I was in Morocco I brought back 2 Tuareg silver chased pendants. I was lucky to get them. Most Tuareg jewelry is sold to dealers in the high end market.

MitsuWa. · 22nd August 2020, 05:24 PM

I have not encountered hide glue used for metal before; much less garlic as an glue ingredient. Was there remnants of hide glue binding the 2 pieces together? Is hide glue used this way traditionaly in a particular region or craft, or is this a museum conservators technique for ease of disassembly? I have seen hide glue used for wood work, composite horn bows, musical instrument making. Pitch glue has been used for assembling cutlery in some parts of the world and pitch is also something found in silver smithing shops. So that is what I would of been inclined to reach for if I were making a knife with only traditional materials. Although in Japan lacquer is used as a glue too for adhering metal fittings. Like to learn more about traditional African techniques.

Yvain · 22nd August 2020, 06:45 PM

Hi MitsuWa,

You're right, this is indeed not a traditionnal African techniques, but a restorer technique. Gelatin glue (along with starch and hide glue) is prefered in museums, as it is easily reversible, and will not damage the object while degrading over time, contrarily to most modern glues.

I found the gelatin glue technique (and the garlic tip) to bond metal to wood on a furniture restorer website, that had experience working on pieces in the style of Boulle, which include a lot of metallic ornaments that tend to come loose easily.

I guess that pitch glue could have been more accurate (even though I'm not sure, as I wasn't able to see any remnants of the original glue), but since I'm not a professionnal restorer - I actually learned a lot while doing this restoration - I prefer to use reversible techniques. (And if professionnal restorers use gelatin glue for metal ornaments on wood, I guess it means it's sturdy enough, only time will tell !

)

Battara,

I would love to get some Tuareg jewelry too (I guess it could be found in France), but I need to learn about it first, as I wouldn't be able to recognize a traditionnal piece at the moment !

22nd August 2020, 01:31 AM	#1
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,280	Great work! The Tuareg live in those areas of the Sahara you mentioned, and have even a further reach in the desert. And yes they are and have been great silversmiths. When I was in Morocco I brought back 2 Tuareg silver chased pendants. I was lucky to get them. Most Tuareg jewelry is sold to dealers in the high end market.

22nd August 2020, 05:24 PM	#2
MitsuWa. Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 22	I have not encountered hide glue used for metal before; much less garlic as an glue ingredient. Was there remnants of hide glue binding the 2 pieces together? Is hide glue used this way traditionaly in a particular region or craft, or is this a museum conservators technique for ease of disassembly? I have seen hide glue used for wood work, composite horn bows, musical instrument making. Pitch glue has been used for assembling cutlery in some parts of the world and pitch is also something found in silver smithing shops. So that is what I would of been inclined to reach for if I were making a knife with only traditional materials. Although in Japan lacquer is used as a glue too for adhering metal fittings. Like to learn more about traditional African techniques.

22nd August 2020, 06:45 PM	#3
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 179	Hi MitsuWa, You're right, this is indeed not a traditionnal African techniques, but a restorer technique. Gelatin glue (along with starch and hide glue) is prefered in museums, as it is easily reversible, and will not damage the object while degrading over time, contrarily to most modern glues. I found the gelatin glue technique (and the garlic tip) to bond metal to wood on a furniture restorer website, that had experience working on pieces in the style of Boulle, which include a lot of metallic ornaments that tend to come loose easily. I guess that pitch glue could have been more accurate (even though I'm not sure, as I wasn't able to see any remnants of the original glue), but since I'm not a professionnal restorer - I actually learned a lot while doing this restoration - I prefer to use reversible techniques. (And if professionnal restorers use gelatin glue for metal ornaments on wood, I guess it means it's sturdy enough, only time will tell ! ) Battara, I would love to get some Tuareg jewelry too (I guess it could be found in France), but I need to learn about it first, as I wouldn't be able to recognize a traditionnal piece at the moment !