Old African knives

[Pieje]

Originally Posted by colin henshaw

Great Congo knife by the way, never seen an incised human figure on these before !

Me neither!
I also have a Benge sword (Congo) in my collection with a human figure, but this type of decoration is very rarely seen on Congo blades.

[gp]

Hereby 3 daggers of mine: all Congolese, purchased from the collection of a Belgian monastery in Belgium which closed its doors recently
All dated before 1940 ( gifts from missionaries between 1910 - 1939)

the biggest one: Saka Mongo

Length 52 cm, handle 17 cm, blade 35 cm (top width 11,5 cm)

the middle one with the "eye": Ba - Tetela

Length 41 cm, handle 10,5 cm, eye 5 to 6 cm, blade 24 cm ( top width 9 cm )

the smallest one Kuba / Tetela :

Length 24 cm, handle 8 cm, blade15,5 cm ( top width 10,5 cm )

[gp]

2nd one

[gp]

3rd one

[gp]

and 2 short swords of the Boa : handle iron with copper 42 cm , blade 34 cm also before 1940

[Luc LEFEBVRE]

Another example of cleaning.

[Duccio]

I completely agree with Pieje, often what is defined as "patina" is nothing more than dust and dirt accumulated in the places where these blades were exposed; I happened to have a large Boa sword which had the handle covered with what looked like a flat brass wire (seen in the first photo). When I started a light cleaning, the brass turned out for what it was, a silvery metal: the golden color of the brass was just dirt, perhaps cigarette smoke ... (second photo).

[gp]

Originally Posted by gp

and 2 short swords of the Boa : handle iron with copper 42 cm , blade 34 cm also before 1940

so what would be your advice concering cleaning these 2 Boa knives:
leave it as they presently are or still clean it? thnx a lot

[gp]

some nice pics of a Ekonda (Mongo) leader (Nkumu) in the former Belgian Congo

and interesting info in this link http://www.forensicfashion.com/1878C...seWarrior.html

[Duccio]

Originally Posted by gp

so what would be your advice concering cleaning these 2 Boa knives:
leave it as they presently are or still clean it? thnx a lot

I tell you what I would do: cleaning the blades with a weak acid (classically white vinegar, a little diluted) and a rough rag (never anything that could cause scratches!) If the blades were very dirty or rusty (but these are not ) you can use very fine steel wool, gently. Be very careful with the blackened central part of the right knife, use double delicacy!
Proceed calmly and slowly, repeating the cleaning many times, trying to remove as much rust as possible.
The handles: for me the ideal would be to use a diluted metal cleaning product to reduce oxidation but avoid making the copper and brass elements shiny as if they were new.
But this is a matter of personal taste.
When you have finished removing what you think should be eliminated, proceed with mineral oil and a soft rag (wax on, wax off ...). In the end, the knife should not be greasy, just polished.
This is how I behave, but I imagine there are people in the forum who are much more experienced than me.
Good job to you.