Cameroon/Nigerian?

Luc LEFEBVRE · 3rd October 2007, 12:16 AM

This kind of weapon is classified in the throwing knife , because at the origin this general F shaped weapon was made to be thrown.But for some models the form and weight as changed and it became a sort of handed weapon.

I have test some TK, the F shaped of this region have a bad performance,an efficiancy range of 20m max.Difficult to have a good flight, after 3 or 4 spinning, the angle, direction and speed change.No chance to get the target.

The people of this country (Mandara mountains) use at first bows and arrows (poisoned), javelins, swords and battleaxes, clubs and sticks.
TK are used for personal protection on journeys and at night, they form part of the attire of the adult male and are also used as dancing ornaments.

Tk of the Congo have better performances.
But I like the shape of these F TK.

Luc

Tim Simmons · 3rd October 2007, 08:21 AM

Luc you are so right these do look fabulous and thanks for the information

. These may not be purpose made assault weapons but a blow from one is probably more than enough to stop a person getting in your way. I think it may be hard for us with such abundant diverse material culture and literate societies to fully appreciate the wonder of these artifacts.

Jim McDougall · 3rd October 2007, 04:55 PM

Luc,
Thank you again for sharing this material, its good to see information on these interesting weapons, and very much appreciated.
Best regards,
Jim

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th April 2008, 06:00 PM

I've just find one like yours Tim.
Luc

Tim Simmons · 13th April 2008, 08:12 PM

Good for you Luc. Great minds think alike

or something like that

.

Iain · 29th March 2012, 09:36 PM

I'm digging up this thread for a pretty specific reason. I wanted to ask those that own throwing knives of the form Tim started this thread with all have the blunt edges Tim's does?

I've been looking at all the examples I could find online and none of them look particularly sharp. I'm just curious. Not that a lack of sharpness would make these any less of a weapon, I shudder to think what getting hit by one would feel like!

I found an image of a particularly nice one from pre 1914.

13th April 2008, 06:00 PM	#4
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	I've just find one like yours Tim. Luc Attached Images

29th March 2012, 09:36 PM	#6
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,719	I'm digging up this thread for a pretty specific reason. I wanted to ask those that own throwing knives of the form Tim started this thread with all have the blunt edges Tim's does? I've been looking at all the examples I could find online and none of them look particularly sharp. I'm just curious. Not that a lack of sharpness would make these any less of a weapon, I shudder to think what getting hit by one would feel like! I found an image of a particularly nice one from pre 1914. Attached Images

3rd October 2007, 12:16 AM	#1
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	This kind of weapon is classified in the throwing knife , because at the origin this general F shaped weapon was made to be thrown.But for some models the form and weight as changed and it became a sort of handed weapon. I have test some TK, the F shaped of this region have a bad performance,an efficiancy range of 20m max.Difficult to have a good flight, after 3 or 4 spinning, the angle, direction and speed change.No chance to get the target. The people of this country (Mandara mountains) use at first bows and arrows (poisoned), javelins, swords and battleaxes, clubs and sticks. TK are used for personal protection on journeys and at night, they form part of the attire of the adult male and are also used as dancing ornaments. Tk of the Congo have better performances. But I like the shape of these F TK. Luc

3rd October 2007, 08:21 AM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,939	Luc you are so right these do look fabulous and thanks for the information . These may not be purpose made assault weapons but a blow from one is probably more than enough to stop a person getting in your way. I think it may be hard for us with such abundant diverse material culture and literate societies to fully appreciate the wonder of these artifacts.

3rd October 2007, 04:55 PM	#3
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,744	Luc, Thank you again for sharing this material, its good to see information on these interesting weapons, and very much appreciated. Best regards, Jim

13th April 2008, 08:12 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,939	Good for you Luc. Great minds think alike or something like that .