Scarey knife

Tim Simmons · 16th July 2005, 03:33 PM

That thought had crossed my mind. Thanks Bill. Tim

Andrew · 16th July 2005, 07:03 PM

It looks like a prison "shank", to me, Tim. Why do you think it was forged?

Tim Simmons · 16th July 2005, 07:33 PM

Golly thats even more scarey, I think it is forged? The tang and base of the blade are a little more thick than the blade, which does not show obvious signs of makeshift grinding though the blade is very thin. I could well see this coming from some god forsaken African goal in colonial times. Thanks Andrew, I suppose in your work you see the handicraft of the forlorn

Tim

spiral · 16th July 2005, 07:50 PM

The handle was made or heavily resurfaced after the worm damage as the tracks run along the surface rather than penetrating.

Making a shank in jail or in the poorer parts of Africa is probably very similar.

You use what you can obtain.

The wood doesnt strike me as african though, less it was from a desert region.

Just a feeling, could be wildy wrong.

Spiral

Henk · 16th July 2005, 08:03 PM

A mounted spearblade was my thought to. Are we looking to an african tombak????

Bill · 16th July 2005, 08:58 PM

Andrew:"It looks like a prison "shank", to me, Tim."..... Andrew, is there something about your past we should know?

Mark · 17th July 2005, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andrew

It looks like a prison "shank", to me, Tim. Why do you think it was forged?

That was my first reaction, too, actually. Nothing in my past ... just a lot of movies and Discovery Channel programs.

Antonio Cejunior · 18th July 2005, 01:30 AM

If I may chime in

I think it is a wonderful piece actually. I like the wood, its flaws but also how it appears to be polished by use.
Having been to Angola (ex-Portuguese colony) and part of the Congo nation, I've seen some spears and machetes that at the time I did not looked with the same eyes as now.
Very interesting piece.

Rick · 18th July 2005, 03:36 AM

I enjoy these 'down and dirty' pieces too , they're very elemental and no doubt belonged to those in the lowest strata of whatever society they lived in .

Tim , from the pictures this dagger looks like it has dull edges ; does it ?

here's a rough and tumble piece from the Philippines .

16th July 2005, 07:33 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	Golly thats even more scarey, I think it is forged? The tang and base of the blade are a little more thick than the blade, which does not show obvious signs of makeshift grinding though the blade is very thin. I could well see this coming from some god forsaken African goal in colonial times. Thanks Andrew, I suppose in your work you see the handicraft of the forlorn Tim Last edited by Tim Simmons; 16th July 2005 at 07:48 PM.

18th July 2005, 03:36 AM	#9
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Pure Function I enjoy these 'down and dirty' pieces too , they're very elemental and no doubt belonged to those in the lowest strata of whatever society they lived in . Tim , from the pictures this dagger looks like it has dull edges ; does it ? here's a rough and tumble piece from the Philippines . Attached Images Last edited by Rick; 18th July 2005 at 03:51 AM.

16th July 2005, 03:33 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,855	That thought had crossed my mind. Thanks Bill. Tim

16th July 2005, 07:03 PM	#2
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	It looks like a prison "shank", to me, Tim. Why do you think it was forged?

16th July 2005, 07:50 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	The handle was made or heavily resurfaced after the worm damage as the tracks run along the surface rather than penetrating. Making a shank in jail or in the poorer parts of Africa is probably very similar. You use what you can obtain. The wood doesnt strike me as african though, less it was from a desert region. Just a feeling, could be wildy wrong. Spiral

16th July 2005, 08:03 PM	#5
Henk Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Netherlands Posts: 1,209	A mounted spearblade was my thought to. Are we looking to an african tombak????

16th July 2005, 08:58 PM	#6
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Andrew:"It looks like a prison "shank", to me, Tim."..... Andrew, is there something about your past we should know?

18th July 2005, 01:30 AM	#8
Antonio Cejunior Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Macau Posts: 294	If I may chime in I think it is a wonderful piece actually. I like the wood, its flaws but also how it appears to be polished by use. Having been to Angola (ex-Portuguese colony) and part of the Congo nation, I've seen some spears and machetes that at the time I did not looked with the same eyes as now. Very interesting piece.