Throwing Knife for French and Belgian fans

Tim Simmons · 11th October 2006, 06:51 PM

I got this Zande blade the other day in town. They are not cheap! PM me on this matter? It was certainly cheaper than some I have seen, perhaps as it has no engraving I could just about afford it. You can see how the smith has had trouble maintaining heat, at least you know it was not cut from scrap/trade iron sheet then further formed. Why are some white and other black? this is so with many knives. I have asked this before. I wonder if anyone has a spare handle/materials?

Tim Simmons · 11th October 2006, 08:58 PM

Looking at this with a glass it becomes clear that this is forged of four small pieces of metal. I would imagine the metal was rather precious at the time this was made. Perhaps it is a little older than I had at first thought. That may explain the patina and why to me I thought it was rather expensive.

Freddy · 12th October 2006, 08:47 AM

Nice find, Tim.

And...prices in Belgium for these kinds of knives are rather hight, too. You have to be lucky to find a cheap one (when the seller doesn't know what he's selling

)

You say it's a plain one, but I don't have any trouble with this. If it's a real weapon, why would anyone take the time to decorate it ? Especially when it's a weapon used for throwing, with the chance to loose it.

In my opinion, the heavily decorated throwing knives are more for 'show'. By this I mean, to show the owner's wealth.

As to the handle, I've checked in some books (and sites), it can be anything : a leather bag, a woven bag, some copper binding,etc... In www.mambele.be , I've also seen a similar one with a 'cloth' handle. Perhaps this would be the easiest way to make a handle. Just use a dirty piece of canvas.

I have a Zulgo throwing knife which has this type of handle. I don't think it's that old (I mean the handle), but it works.

Here is the whole throwing knife :

Congoblades · 13th October 2006, 11:44 AM

A copper binding like on the picture would be nice...

Luc LEFEBVRE · 13th October 2006, 01:14 PM

Nice KIPINGA Tim !
It is one of the great form of African TK, now you have one.
It's true all the TK are expensive but fascinating.
Here is mine:
http://lulef.free.fr/html/zande.html

Luc

Tim Simmons · 13th October 2006, 05:46 PM

Thanks for the advice. Since this most probably had a simple handle that may have rotted away years ago I shall just leave it as is. I have put it in the hallway with other things that are less obviously frightening to visitors.

11th October 2006, 06:51 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Throwing Knife for French and Belgian fans I got this Zande blade the other day in town. They are not cheap! PM me on this matter? It was certainly cheaper than some I have seen, perhaps as it has no engraving I could just about afford it. You can see how the smith has had trouble maintaining heat, at least you know it was not cut from scrap/trade iron sheet then further formed. Why are some white and other black? this is so with many knives. I have asked this before. I wonder if anyone has a spare handle/materials? Last edited by Tim Simmons; 11th October 2006 at 09:27 PM.

11th October 2006, 08:58 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Looking at this with a glass it becomes clear that this is forged of four small pieces of metal. I would imagine the metal was rather precious at the time this was made. Perhaps it is a little older than I had at first thought. That may explain the patina and why to me I thought it was rather expensive. Attached Images

13th October 2006, 11:44 AM	#4
Congoblades Member Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Belgium Posts: 171	A copper binding like on the picture would be nice... Attached Images

13th October 2006, 05:46 PM	#6
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Thanks for the advice. Since this most probably had a simple handle that may have rotted away years ago I shall just leave it as is. I have put it in the hallway with other things that are less obviously frightening to visitors. Attached Images

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes
Switch to Linear Mode Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode

12th October 2006, 08:47 AM	#3
Freddy Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Sint-Amandsberg (near Ghent, Belgium) Posts: 830	Nice find, Tim. And...prices in Belgium for these kinds of knives are rather hight, too. You have to be lucky to find a cheap one (when the seller doesn't know what he's selling ) You say it's a plain one, but I don't have any trouble with this. If it's a real weapon, why would anyone take the time to decorate it ? Especially when it's a weapon used for throwing, with the chance to loose it. In my opinion, the heavily decorated throwing knives are more for 'show'. By this I mean, to show the owner's wealth. As to the handle, I've checked in some books (and sites), it can be anything : a leather bag, a woven bag, some copper binding,etc... In www.mambele.be , I've also seen a similar one with a 'cloth' handle. Perhaps this would be the easiest way to make a handle. Just use a dirty piece of canvas. I have a Zulgo throwing knife which has this type of handle. I don't think it's that old (I mean the handle), but it works. Here is the whole throwing knife :

13th October 2006, 01:14 PM	#5
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	Nice KIPINGA Tim ! It is one of the great form of African TK, now you have one. It's true all the TK are expensive but fascinating. Here is mine: http://lulef.free.fr/html/zande.html Luc