Nice Old Congo Sword For Comment

Luc LEFEBVRE · 23rd August 2006, 09:59 PM

If the weld is well "tribally" done, it's not a problem for me.Look at this one:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/tk_gbaya_4.html
It has a big repair with a piece of metal and that does not ruin the value to my eyes.It's one of my favorite knife in my collection.
Give us some pics of the weld.
Of course it's depend on the price you paid for it...but Flavio is right this kind of piece is rare, and will you be able to find another one ?
Luc

Lew · 24th August 2006, 02:02 AM

Here is the close up of the weld.

Mapico1 · 24th August 2006, 09:16 AM

Hi Lew,
weld is not so bad but the area round the weld is done with acid to hide the weld(intensional for sure)
Luc,
yours is not only repaired but has a handle of an other trowing knife.....a Mbanja handle on a Ngbaka top.Piece of metal was to forge both pieces together and to give support...
Danny

katana · 24th August 2006, 11:11 AM

Hi Lew,
I agree with Mapico, the 'repair' isn't too bad, the use of acid to camoflage the join was surely intentional, unfortunately as the acid has attacked the 'softer' areas of steel and removed the stabilised surface patina, it has created pitting, and encouraged 'new' rust......hence the discoloured 'band' surrounding the weld. Still a nice item, I suppose it 'boils down' to how much it cost, as to whether you seek 'compensation' from the seller......perhaps a reduction in price would be an easier course of action....bearing in mind we are assuming the seller is honest and ethical.

The Double D · 24th August 2006, 04:52 PM

Looks like solder or braze to me, not even a weld and that would explain the acid rust. Not very strong in this application and a real shame.

Send it back!

Tim Simmons · 24th August 2006, 05:26 PM

I would say the two pieces are original, I am sure there is no strict pattern to most Congo knives. It is a good repair but done some time after the original forging. I do not think you payed much for it so maybe you could just keep it untill a better one comes along. What I do not like is what seems an intentional deceit by the seller. Leaving negative feed back is a duel edged sword

, you receiving it when not deserved. If it was a lot of money I would not care about feed back.

ariel · 24th August 2006, 09:03 PM

For me, most if not all Sub-Saharan African swords is a victory of form over function. I just cannot imagine how they could be used effectively, with all those curlicues, outrageous curves, clumsy blades, crude handles and absent points, edges and balance. That's why many of them hang in the museums as forerunners of "abstract" art.

Not that I do not understand people who collect them, but nobody in his right mind would choose one of them as a real weapon....

24th August 2006, 02:02 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is the close up of the weld. Attached Images

23rd August 2006, 09:59 PM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	If the weld is well "tribally" done, it's not a problem for me.Look at this one: http://lulef.free.fr/html/tk_gbaya_4.html It has a big repair with a piece of metal and that does not ruin the value to my eyes.It's one of my favorite knife in my collection. Give us some pics of the weld. Of course it's depend on the price you paid for it...but Flavio is right this kind of piece is rare, and will you be able to find another one ? Luc

24th August 2006, 09:16 AM	#3
Mapico1 Member Join Date: May 2006 Posts: 86	Hi Lew, weld is not so bad but the area round the weld is done with acid to hide the weld(intensional for sure) Luc, yours is not only repaired but has a handle of an other trowing knife.....a Mbanja handle on a Ngbaka top.Piece of metal was to forge both pieces together and to give support... Danny

24th August 2006, 11:11 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Hi Lew, I agree with Mapico, the 'repair' isn't too bad, the use of acid to camoflage the join was surely intentional, unfortunately as the acid has attacked the 'softer' areas of steel and removed the stabilised surface patina, it has created pitting, and encouraged 'new' rust......hence the discoloured 'band' surrounding the weld. Still a nice item, I suppose it 'boils down' to how much it cost, as to whether you seek 'compensation' from the seller......perhaps a reduction in price would be an easier course of action....bearing in mind we are assuming the seller is honest and ethical.

24th August 2006, 04:52 PM	#5
The Double D Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: On the banks of Cut Bank Creek, Montana Posts: 189	Looks like solder or braze to me, not even a weld and that would explain the acid rust. Not very strong in this application and a real shame. Send it back!

24th August 2006, 05:26 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	I would say the two pieces are original, I am sure there is no strict pattern to most Congo knives. It is a good repair but done some time after the original forging. I do not think you payed much for it so maybe you could just keep it untill a better one comes along. What I do not like is what seems an intentional deceit by the seller. Leaving negative feed back is a duel edged sword , you receiving it when not deserved. If it was a lot of money I would not care about feed back.

24th August 2006, 09:03 PM	#7
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	For me, most if not all Sub-Saharan African swords is a victory of form over function. I just cannot imagine how they could be used effectively, with all those curlicues, outrageous curves, clumsy blades, crude handles and absent points, edges and balance. That's why many of them hang in the museums as forerunners of "abstract" art. Not that I do not understand people who collect them, but nobody in his right mind would choose one of them as a real weapon....