"WOW" TARZANS KNIFE!!!

Tim Simmons · 29th March 2005, 05:07 PM

Thank you, I feel because the scabbard was at one time dyed purple which you can just see on your PC, is not a very macho colour for a ruffty-tuffty european type, makes the puzzle a lot harder.The blade is not abruptly thicker than the tang but at one time before grinding it must have been.Thanks for opinions.Tim

Conogre · 30th March 2005, 01:07 AM

Tim, keep in mind that purple, due to the difficulty in getting natural dyes that color was for centuries ONLY allowed to be worn by royalty, as far back as ancient Rome and possibly earlier.
Purple, in older African pieces using traditional dyes, was made by crushing a certain kind of scale insect, while ochres and white were earth pigments and black often charcoal or pitch.
I strongly suspect that you have the African equivelent of a trapper's or mountain man's knife from the American westward expansion era where they were often in contact with native locals moreso than other colonists and settlers, and often carrying knives that were made from trade knives and then embellished by the tribal locals as a gesture of respect.
Mike

29th March 2005, 05:07 PM	#1
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,876	Thank you, I feel because the scabbard was at one time dyed purple which you can just see on your PC, is not a very macho colour for a ruffty-tuffty european type, makes the puzzle a lot harder.The blade is not abruptly thicker than the tang but at one time before grinding it must have been.Thanks for opinions.Tim Last edited by Tim Simmons; 29th March 2005 at 05:55 PM.

30th March 2005, 01:07 AM	#2
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Tim, keep in mind that purple, due to the difficulty in getting natural dyes that color was for centuries ONLY allowed to be worn by royalty, as far back as ancient Rome and possibly earlier. Purple, in older African pieces using traditional dyes, was made by crushing a certain kind of scale insect, while ochres and white were earth pigments and black often charcoal or pitch. I strongly suspect that you have the African equivelent of a trapper's or mountain man's knife from the American westward expansion era where they were often in contact with native locals moreso than other colonists and settlers, and often carrying knives that were made from trade knives and then embellished by the tribal locals as a gesture of respect. Mike