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11th November 2023, 07:47 PM | #1 |
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Kronckew's lower example's handle is vaguely reminiscent of the machete in post Spanish(?) Machete Sword with horn grips.
As far as this post's original example goes, I have been perplexed by what looks like a small diameter piece of pipe welded to the blade as a tang or uncomfortable handle. Even weirder is the apparent split down the back if the blade?? Is this iron forge welded around the steel edge with the line being a cold shut welding flaw? I have looked at this every day and just scratch my head. I've seen a lot of homemade agricultural knives for different crops and uses. This one is an interesting and unique curio. We seem to be developing a machete data base in this forum as of late. |
12th November 2023, 10:33 AM | #2 |
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I don't have the luggage to exchange ideas on the handle fixation nor on the blade forging method, but i see that the handle length (only) fits a small grip like mine. It could be that this was the only piece of pipe the owner (smith) had at hand. I did post the blade split picture in purpose to call attention, but only now i notice that this happens in both sides, as both forte edges have the same thickness in the first third section.
- Last edited by fernando; 12th November 2023 at 12:01 PM. |
12th November 2023, 04:44 PM | #3 |
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Many scythes, and 'clearing' or cropping implements had hafts, thus were mounted on these or perhaps even longer, in the manner of pole arms.
Recalling the idiom, 'swords into plough shares' which reflects the cases of weapon into tool, or clearly vice versa, as glaives, bill hooks and the like. Whatever the case with this item, it is fascinating for its rustic character and clearly obvious age, its 'mystery' not withstanding. The handle is perhaps not viable for most modern hands, if indeed this was the intent, but overall the hands of individuals centuries ago much as their physical size and structure was generally smaller. However, the 'socket' idea seems quite plausible. |
12th November 2023, 06:35 PM | #4 |
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I can see what you mean, Jim. However i doubt that this thing once had a haft. The handle has an elliptical cross section, the usual shape of a grip, and it doesn't look like it has been previously round, like for a socket. Nor could its diameter fit one ... i would say.
. Last edited by fernando; 12th November 2023 at 06:58 PM. |
12th November 2023, 08:39 PM | #5 | |
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Quote:
Was this item buried at one time? |
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13th November 2023, 10:55 AM | #6 | |
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Quote:
That also remains a mistery. I bought it in the local street fair several years ago. I didn't even recall that it was me who took it for rust cleaning, but today i found old pictures of it in my files. Perhaps such cleaning wasn't a good idea; the person who did it uses a bench polisher. But i reckon the rust cover was critical. I wonder that, instead of having been buried, it was only exposed to wheather for a rather long period. Could you judge on that looking at such pictures ? . |
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13th November 2023, 05:13 PM | #7 |
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Unless ...
Unless the blade was originally designed (forged) with its own tang, to support a 'conventional' handle; a tang that might have accidently broken, and only then a piece of pipe was used to regain its handling ability.
Just a fantasy, of course . |
16th November 2023, 04:39 PM | #8 |
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I went to my scrap pile and stared at it and thought about your question. I looked at mainly wrought iron items 100-150 years old. I cannot tell from pictures or in person what items with such a long life experienced. I hypothesize that the deep pits are contact with earth. Such pits and very thick layers of corrosion have been characteristic on items I have unearthed over the years, but in a wet or salty climate I do not know what the ageing of a blade hung but exposed to some elements would look like. Such as a tool hung in a barn that lost its roof and was left to rot. The broken tang or blade theory sounds like very probable.
Last edited by Interested Party; 16th November 2023 at 05:59 PM. Reason: grammar |
12th November 2023, 08:41 PM | #9 |
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I see what you mean, and I hadnt noticed the elliptical shape. As a rather crudely formed blacksmith work, as you note the flatter shape rather than round would seem more suited as a 'handle'. Certainly is a conundrum, and an intriguing one.
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