Congo sword for ID and restoration advice

Tim Simmons · 5th September 2006, 07:54 AM

This is from tribes in the east of the Congo, Lokele,Mbole, ect. I would just clean it with oil and some grit paper {carefully} if the rust is heavy and stubborn, using your finger tips just on the hard bits. Then just oil and steel wool from heavy to fine. If the blade looks a bit stark after that try shoe wax. As for age , wood does not last that long in the tropics so the handle could be a replacement, the blade could be much older.

This picture from "Der fer et de fierte" paints a thousand words about how isolated some Congo people were untill quite recent times. The truck and the gentlemen in thier Sunday best.

Luc LEFEBVRE · 5th September 2006, 11:48 PM

LOKELE knife from AMNH
Luc

fearn · 6th September 2006, 03:30 AM

Thanks Tim,

It's good to have better cleaning advice.

Thanks Luc,

Now I know where this one came from, and what a better-class example looks like.

F

5th September 2006, 07:54 AM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	This is from tribes in the east of the Congo, Lokele,Mbole, ect. I would just clean it with oil and some grit paper {carefully} if the rust is heavy and stubborn, using your finger tips just on the hard bits. Then just oil and steel wool from heavy to fine. If the blade looks a bit stark after that try shoe wax. As for age , wood does not last that long in the tropics so the handle could be a replacement, the blade could be much older. This picture from "Der fer et de fierte" paints a thousand words about how isolated some Congo people were untill quite recent times. The truck and the gentlemen in thier Sunday best. Last edited by Tim Simmons; 5th September 2006 at 08:03 AM. Reason: stuff

5th September 2006, 11:48 PM	#2
Luc LEFEBVRE Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Location: France Posts: 473	LOKELE knife from AMNH Luc Attached Images

6th September 2006, 03:30 AM	#3
fearn Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,247	Thanks Tim, It's good to have better cleaning advice. Thanks Luc, Now I know where this one came from, and what a better-class example looks like. F