Some new finds in the last month, African

Warren McQ · 22nd December 2009, 03:48 AM

Thanks everyone,
Yes, I recognized the circle/dot markings discussed in the other thread and thought it interesting that these marks are so common in so many geographic areas.

Gavin, What do you see in the Sudanese knife that tells you that the handle is Rhino Horn ? I've never had anything with Rhino Horn so I have nothing to go by.

Anyone have any ideas on the age of these knives, I'm guessing 50-60 years or so, maybe more on the Sudanese knife.

Warren in Arizona

katana · 22nd December 2009, 06:40 PM

Warren
I do not think this is Rhino horn, but wood. What makes the handle look unusual is the grain direction....normally the grain is 'run' lengthways from pommel to blade, yours seems to run across. This assumption is made on the pictures....to conclusively ID use the 'hot pin' method ....if you get a smell of burning hair it is almost certainly Rhino.

Regards David

Gavin Nugent · 23rd December 2009, 06:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Warren
I do not think this is Rhino horn, but wood. What makes the handle look unusual is the grain direction....normally the grain is 'run' lengthways from pommel to blade, yours seems to run across. This assumption is made on the pictures....to conclusively ID use the 'hot pin' method ....if you get a smell of burning hair it is almost certainly Rhino.

Regards David

Your right, you can not determine on image alone but based on your posting here David;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ino+knobkerrie
There are some amazing similarities.

Gav

katana · 24th December 2009, 05:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Your right, you can not determine on image alone but based on your posting here David;
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ino+knobkerrie
There are some amazing similarities.

Gav

G'day Gav,
I have seen pictures of a few 'small' knobkerries that looked 95% certain to be Rhino horn.....only to discover they were a very 'tight', fine grained wood

. Hopefully, Warren will post the result of the 'hot' pin test and let us know. If Rhino horn....is must have been a piece cut 'across' the horn (cross section).....which must have been quite large in diameter, perhaps from the root/base of the horn

My knobkerrie was made from a 'lengthway' section.

All the best
David

22nd December 2009, 03:48 AM	#1
Warren McQ Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 40	Thanks everyone, Yes, I recognized the circle/dot markings discussed in the other thread and thought it interesting that these marks are so common in so many geographic areas. Gavin, What do you see in the Sudanese knife that tells you that the handle is Rhino Horn ? I've never had anything with Rhino Horn so I have nothing to go by. Anyone have any ideas on the age of these knives, I'm guessing 50-60 years or so, maybe more on the Sudanese knife. Warren in Arizona

22nd December 2009, 06:40 PM	#2
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Warren I do not think this is Rhino horn, but wood. What makes the handle look unusual is the grain direction....normally the grain is 'run' lengthways from pommel to blade, yours seems to run across. This assumption is made on the pictures....to conclusively ID use the 'hot pin' method ....if you get a smell of burning hair it is almost certainly Rhino. Regards David