African Arm Dagger...finally!

[katana]

Originally Posted by Manolo

Thanks for the info!
.

1900? so they would have had access to some sort of lath to turn the pommel I imagine. They show a lot of care and craftsmanship, especially the ones with ivory.
Emanuel

Hi Emanuel, here is some info. I previously posted on primative lathes...I did have a picture of an African craftsman , 19 C but cant find it...



I'm wondering whether the original handles were 'turned' on a primative lathe.... you would only need something like this ... a pole lathe....easily made from local timber and cordage.... these were in common use in medievel Europe and Asia. The cord is wrapped around the 'working' piece, as the pedal is pushed down, the cord 'spins' the wood one way, The branch attached to the other end of the cord is pulled down (putting it under tension) By releasing pressure on the pedal, the branch 'springs' back pulling the cord and 'spins' the 'worked piece' in the opposite direction......then the operation is continually repeated. As the wood is spun it can be worked with a knife of chisel.....as on a 'normal' lathe.

[Lew]

Originally Posted by katana

Hi Emanuel, here is some info. I previously posted on primative lathes...I did have a picture of an African craftsman , 19 C but cant find it...



I'm wondering whether the original handles were 'turned' on a primative lathe.... you would only need something like this ... a pole lathe....easily made from local timber and cordage.... these were in common use in medievel Europe and Asia. The cord is wrapped around the 'working' piece, as the pedal is pushed down, the cord 'spins' the wood one way, The branch attached to the other end of the cord is pulled down (putting it under tension) By releasing pressure on the pedal, the branch 'springs' back pulling the cord and 'spins' the 'worked piece' in the opposite direction......then the operation is continually repeated. As the wood is spun it can be worked with a knife of chisel.....as on a 'normal' lathe.

This is a photo of a Sudanese lathe.

Lew

[katana]

Thanks Lew......this is the same picture I had .....but its lost on my hard drive.....somewhere...

[Emanuel]

Thanks Lew and David,

I remember that picture...one of you had posted it in a discussion a while back. I like the design of these things...they didn't just turn the whole thing, rather merging the circular profile with a lozenge. Makes for a really interesting shape, and I bet its comfortable too. The pommel looks pretty substantial, so it could be used in a fight as well I guess.

Emanuel

[Emanuel]

and here's another to make a pair.

This one has the scabbard, rather nice one. It isn't as fancy as the first one, but pretty well made it seems. Also a bit of age to it...comments?
Emanuel

[Rivkin]

The first dagger has a date on it - 1317, i.e. 1900 ad.

[Emanuel]

Thanks Rivkin! This confirms what Lew said.