Konso dagger?

[Martin Lubojacky]

I am attaching a joint photo of 3 daggers from central Ethiopia and Addis kitchen knife, + dagger from the Golan Heights just for comparison of handles.

[Shimmerxxx]

Much appreciated Martin. I figured my knife was a tourist piece based on the blade cross section, but good to find out more.

I picked up a couple of other blades recently. I'll post photos later.

Thanks!

[G. Mansfield]

Here are three from my collection. The older examples were of elephant ivory while the newer ones are made from bone. Many of the silver alloy sheaths and pommel cap ornaments are from older Abyssinian gurade or shotel sword chapes, likely a secondary use after falling in disrepair. As Martin stated, these are tourist peices and can still be found today from my understanding, but in lesser quality and craftsmenship for sure.

-Geoffrey

[roanoa]

These are two of my knives. The use of fittings from sword scabbards seems to be a common factor, though I do not know if this practice was meant to make them more desirable for tourist sales. Keeping in mind that there were "tourists" in Ethiopia and Eritrea from the late 1890's to before WWII.

[Shimmerxxx]

Great photos and information chaps. Thanks.