My last Beja Dagger!?

Jambu · 22nd April 2009, 05:48 AM

New Member here,

Thanks for posting this nice set of daggers employing the various blade styles. I hope to assemble such a collection soon, as well as other examples of Beja Arms and Armour. I have a dagger with the curved blade style but it seems newer than yours.

The handle is made from African Blackwood or Mpingo, which is one of the most sought after materials for knife handles and possibly the most expensive wood in the world. A Beja man divulged to me that a block of this wood is also used for sharpening or 'whetting' the blades of these daggers and the 'Kaskara' or S'aif also.

As an aside, I have so far managed to collect the dagger,4 Kaskara, a throwing stick, a Beja Knobkerrie and a shield. Now I need some spears and the other styles of dagger.

The shield is very old and was filthy and caked in grime when I acquired it. After I cleaned it up I found that it has a strange texture and greenish color. It is extremely thick, heavy, and hard as stone. Has a few patches on it of reptile skin. Now I see why Kipling referred to " 'is coffin-'eaded shield "(Coffinhead means large, ungainly head, and used to describe horses).

Here are some pics of the dagger and shield...

Lew · 22nd April 2009, 06:24 AM

Hi Jambu

Welcome to the forum. Your dagger is mid 20th century WW2 era the scabbard seems newer than the dagger to me and is a very nice example with an excellent blade. Beja shields are hard to come by these days it looks like a nice find.

Lew

Jambu · 22nd April 2009, 07:36 AM

Thanks Lew...

Lew · 28th September 2009, 02:07 AM

Just picked this one up mid 20th century.

Warren McQ · 28th September 2009, 11:08 PM

Congratulations Lew, I was after that one also.
I'm glad a member of the forum got it.
I find these Beja knives to be most interesting and I hope to find one for my collection.
I recently added this little knife to my collection.
It's only 7in over all with a 4.5 in blade.
I think the handle might be Rhino Horn but it's hard to tell.
I think it might be pretty old.

Cheers,
Warren in Arizona

Lew · 28th September 2009, 11:24 PM

Warren

That is a nice little dagger the horn seems too black to be rhino but you never can tell for sure.

Battara · 28th September 2009, 11:35 PM

With all that silver, does it mean that it belongs to a chieftain?

Warren McQ · 28th September 2009, 11:37 PM

Thanks Lew, Can you give an idea of age on this one ?
It doesn't seem to be an ordinary example.

Cheers,
Warren in Arizona

22nd April 2009, 05:48 AM	#1
Jambu Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 17	Nice Dagger set, very interesting forms New Member here, Thanks for posting this nice set of daggers employing the various blade styles. I hope to assemble such a collection soon, as well as other examples of Beja Arms and Armour. I have a dagger with the curved blade style but it seems newer than yours. The handle is made from African Blackwood or Mpingo, which is one of the most sought after materials for knife handles and possibly the most expensive wood in the world. A Beja man divulged to me that a block of this wood is also used for sharpening or 'whetting' the blades of these daggers and the 'Kaskara' or S'aif also. As an aside, I have so far managed to collect the dagger,4 Kaskara, a throwing stick, a Beja Knobkerrie and a shield. Now I need some spears and the other styles of dagger. The shield is very old and was filthy and caked in grime when I acquired it. After I cleaned it up I found that it has a strange texture and greenish color. It is extremely thick, heavy, and hard as stone. Has a few patches on it of reptile skin. Now I see why Kipling referred to " 'is coffin-'eaded shield "(Coffinhead means large, ungainly head, and used to describe horses). Here are some pics of the dagger and shield... Attached Images

28th September 2009, 02:07 AM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Well this is really my last one Just picked this one up mid 20th century. Attached Images

28th September 2009, 11:08 PM	#5
Warren McQ Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 40	Congratulations Lew, I was after that one also. I'm glad a member of the forum got it. I find these Beja knives to be most interesting and I hope to find one for my collection. I recently added this little knife to my collection. It's only 7in over all with a 4.5 in blade. I think the handle might be Rhino Horn but it's hard to tell. I think it might be pretty old. Cheers, Warren in Arizona Attached Images

22nd April 2009, 06:24 AM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Jambu Welcome to the forum. Your dagger is mid 20th century WW2 era the scabbard seems newer than the dagger to me and is a very nice example with an excellent blade. Beja shields are hard to come by these days it looks like a nice find. Lew

22nd April 2009, 07:36 AM	#3
Jambu Member Join Date: Apr 2009 Location: USA Posts: 17	Thanks Lew...

28th September 2009, 11:24 PM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Warren That is a nice little dagger the horn seems too black to be rhino but you never can tell for sure.

28th September 2009, 11:35 PM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,270	With all that silver, does it mean that it belongs to a chieftain?

28th September 2009, 11:37 PM	#8
Warren McQ Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 40	Thanks Lew, Can you give an idea of age on this one ? It doesn't seem to be an ordinary example. Cheers, Warren in Arizona