Shi, Tutsi swords and others

Tim Simmons · 17th May 2007, 02:38 PM

Well I have got one of this type of sword now

. There seems to be many styles through out the regions that use them. Congo and Rwanda possibly some similarity to Shona swords. I was not expecting quite such a heavy blade, really nice. Two lines of black. The lazy "s" or flat "z" section blade with the central rib 5mm thick, the length of the blade is 57.5cm, beautifully forged. I like the swelling at the forte. The only slight disappointment is the plant fibre weaving holding the scabbard together is a little worn. This would have been no problem for the original owner to replace when necessary. They might even have used copper wire which I could do if it gets any worse.
I am very happy with it for the price. Makes me think of the MGM film "WATUSI" that thrilled me as a young boy.
I would like to compere this blade to others?

Lew · 17th May 2007, 05:18 PM

Tim

It's about time you picked one of these up Favio and I were feeling kind of guilty that we both had one and you didn't.

Lew

Flavio · 17th May 2007, 09:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Tim

It's about time you picked one of these up Favio and I were feeling kind of guilty that we both had one and you didn't.

Lew

Hey Lew, we are not the only ones

Tim I like the patina, congrats

Bill M · 18th May 2007, 01:18 AM

Hey! I want one also.

Lew · 18th May 2007, 03:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill Marsh

Hey! I want one also.

Bill

You must first chant the special Shi sword mantra and have a lot of patience and a bit of luck before you can get one of these.

Tim I will take a few photos of mine over the weekend so you can do your comparison on the blades.

Lew

katana · 18th May 2007, 09:35 AM

Tim,
love the blade......could you post some close ups ?

Lew · 18th May 2007, 04:43 PM

Tim

I found one on Artzi's website for your research.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 18th May 2007, 05:22 PM

I still need one like that Lew

. Here are some close ups of this blade just enough to get the gist of it. The finger is not the most elegant measure of the blade but it does show the keen edge. The centre rib is approx 1cm wide and as I mentioned 5mm thick. The blade edge is slightly opposed curves, giving strength in structure if not the finest steel. I really like African metalwork that shows the smiths working marks. I do not think they had heard of William Morris and the arts and crafts movement

. can I see a relation to some blades further south?

Flavio · 18th May 2007, 05:50 PM

Hello Tim, here is mine

Lew · 19th May 2007, 07:08 PM

Tim

Here are some good shots of my sword.

Lew

Tim Simmons · 19th May 2007, 08:31 PM

Thanks Lew and Flavio,
The version I have seems to have a more broad blade. Clearly there is wide regional variation. One could argue that between these examples the link is only really in the scabbard configuration. How extensive is this form, the Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu provinces of DRC, Rwanda, even Tanzania. What about the southern borders Zambia and Shona/Zimbabwe. Questions the answer must be out there.

Flavio · 19th May 2007, 10:02 PM

Hi Tim, here is another variation of these swords (no more mine

). Also in this case the mid rib is flat as in yours example. For sure the differences could be due at the territory but maybe also to the age

17th May 2007, 02:38 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Shi, Tutsi swords and others Well I have got one of this type of sword now . There seems to be many styles through out the regions that use them. Congo and Rwanda possibly some similarity to Shona swords. I was not expecting quite such a heavy blade, really nice. Two lines of black. The lazy "s" or flat "z" section blade with the central rib 5mm thick, the length of the blade is 57.5cm, beautifully forged. I like the swelling at the forte. The only slight disappointment is the plant fibre weaving holding the scabbard together is a little worn. This would have been no problem for the original owner to replace when necessary. They might even have used copper wire which I could do if it gets any worse. I am very happy with it for the price. Makes me think of the MGM film "WATUSI" that thrilled me as a young boy. I would like to compere this blade to others? Last edited by Tim Simmons; 17th May 2007 at 02:50 PM.

18th May 2007, 04:43 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim I found one on Artzi's website for your research. Lew Attached Images

18th May 2007, 05:50 PM	#9
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hello Tim, here is mine Attached Images

19th May 2007, 07:08 PM	#10
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim Here are some good shots of my sword. Lew Attached Images

19th May 2007, 10:02 PM	#12
Flavio Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Italia Posts: 1,243	Hi Tim, here is another variation of these swords (no more mine ). Also in this case the mid rib is flat as in yours example. For sure the differences could be due at the territory but maybe also to the age Attached Images

17th May 2007, 05:18 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Tim It's about time you picked one of these up Favio and I were feeling kind of guilty that we both had one and you didn't. Lew

18th May 2007, 01:18 AM	#4
Bill M Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: USA Georgia Posts: 1,599	Hey! I want one also.

18th May 2007, 09:35 AM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Tim, love the blade......could you post some close ups ?

18th May 2007, 05:22 PM	#8
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	I still need one like that Lew . Here are some close ups of this blade just enough to get the gist of it. The finger is not the most elegant measure of the blade but it does show the keen edge. The centre rib is approx 1cm wide and as I mentioned 5mm thick. The blade edge is slightly opposed curves, giving strength in structure if not the finest steel. I really like African metalwork that shows the smiths working marks. I do not think they had heard of William Morris and the arts and crafts movement . can I see a relation to some blades further south?

19th May 2007, 08:31 PM	#11
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,806	Thanks Lew and Flavio, The version I have seems to have a more broad blade. Clearly there is wide regional variation. One could argue that between these examples the link is only really in the scabbard configuration. How extensive is this form, the Nord Kivu and Sud Kivu provinces of DRC, Rwanda, even Tanzania. What about the southern borders Zambia and Shona/Zimbabwe. Questions the answer must be out there.