I've been commissioned to produce 4 Zulu assegai blades. The shafts will be made and fitted by someone else and then mounted to be presented to 4 of South Africa's top surfer veterans at this year's International Ballito Pro surfing contest.
I'm guessing the mass of grey is some kind of clay to keep the center a little softer for longevity, is the wire there to prevent the clay from falling off?
I'm guessing the mass of grey is some kind of clay to keep the center a little softer for longevity, is the wire there to prevent the clay from falling off?
Your guess is 100% correct. On a "normal" knife the clay would be packed across the spine and this creates a junction between the 2 sides of the knife, keeping the clay in position. With a dagger type blade, you don't have this junction.