What did I buy?

JeffS · 30th December 2010, 11:40 PM

I just purchased this on Ebay. It seems too short to be a seme. 9" blade 15" OAL

Photo from seller:

Atlantia · 30th December 2010, 11:47 PM

Yep, that's what it is. Perhaps for a boy?

Battara · 31st December 2010, 12:34 AM

I agree with Atlantia.

JeffS · 31st December 2010, 04:54 AM

Interesting. The hilt also seems disproportionately long. I wonder under what circumstances a boy would merit his own blade in Masai society.

JeffS · 6th January 2011, 09:22 PM

Received this today. It is really small, seems it would function more as a knife than as a chopper. The sheath and handle appear to be much newer than the forged blade.

tom hyle · 19th March 2011, 05:50 AM

knives/daggers that are miniaturized vesions of traditional swords and swords that are giantized versions of traditional daggers are common in most cultures.

Andrew · 20th March 2011, 03:26 AM

Perhaps made for sale to those who travel for pleasure?

tom hyle · 20th March 2011, 03:40 AM

Perhaps, but I don't see why? Everything looks traditional

Andrew · 21st March 2011, 11:01 PM

Just conjecture--miniature versions are easier and take less precious materials to make, and are easier to take away as souveniers.

TimW · 22nd March 2011, 09:23 AM

I know that many of these pieces have recycled machete blades. This one looks genuine. Maybe the knife was made from a broken good quality blade and rehandled?

30th December 2010, 11:40 PM	#1
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	What did I buy? I just purchased this on Ebay. It seems too short to be a seme. 9" blade 15" OAL Photo from seller:

30th December 2010, 11:47 PM	#2
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Yep, that's what it is. Perhaps for a boy?

31st December 2010, 12:34 AM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I agree with Atlantia.

31st December 2010, 04:54 AM	#4
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	Interesting. The hilt also seems disproportionately long. I wonder under what circumstances a boy would merit his own blade in Masai society.

6th January 2011, 09:22 PM	#5
JeffS Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Singapore Posts: 441	Received this today. It is really small, seems it would function more as a knife than as a chopper. The sheath and handle appear to be much newer than the forged blade.

19th March 2011, 05:50 AM	#6
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	knives/daggers that are miniaturized vesions of traditional swords and swords that are giantized versions of traditional daggers are common in most cultures.

20th March 2011, 03:26 AM	#7
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Perhaps made for sale to those who travel for pleasure?

20th March 2011, 03:40 AM	#8
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Perhaps, but I don't see why? Everything looks traditional

21st March 2011, 11:01 PM	#9
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Just conjecture--miniature versions are easier and take less precious materials to make, and are easier to take away as souveniers.

22nd March 2011, 09:23 AM	#10
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	I know that many of these pieces have recycled machete blades. This one looks genuine. Maybe the knife was made from a broken good quality blade and rehandled?