African Axe

[Russ16]

Watching some of the videos on YouTube I often see the locals using very a very unique form of axe. Almost looks homemade except they are all very similar. The have a large knob at the end where the axe head is.

They look very cool and would be part of an interesting display. Great conversation piece if nothing else. Has anyone tried to buy one and bring it back? I know folks have brought back spears is there any barrier to bringing an axe back?

I see them using them to butcher elephants. Would be cool to buy one from the staff that had been used to butcher your own elephant.

 

[BB416]

I’ve got one. Blade made from a Land Rover leaf spring. I asked my PH about it when the boys in the truck got out to take care of a tree the elephants had pushed over the road. He offered it to me for no charge.

 

[375Fox]

I’ve brought back several. The trackers are pretty glad to sell one for a few dollars and make a new one. Just make sure there is no bark on the axe.

 

[Red Leg]

I too have a couple. Yes, they are locally made and leaf springs are a common blade material of choice.

 

[Skshyk]

This axe was used to butcher my elephant. Now it hangs in my living room.

 

[Russ16]

This axe was used to butcher my elephant. Now it hangs in my living room.



View attachment 685299

Thats very cool.

Good to know you can bring them back. How long are they? Did you just fit it in your luggage somehow? I’m doing my first hunt for Buffalo next year I’ll have to make sure there is room in my luggage. I was planning on a fairly small bag.

 

[Skshyk]

I am sure they are different size's, it barely fit in my luggage which was not a very large one.

 

[John J]

I had mine packed in the crate with the trophies, no issues as long as it's declared on the paperwork. It was taken from a poacher in Zim. A small antipoaching donation was all it cost.

 

[375Fox]

I had mine packed in the crate with the trophies, no issues as long as it's declared on the paperwork. It was taken from a poacher in Zim. A small antipoaching donation was all it cost.

I have done it but you are not supposed to put anything other than hunting trophies in your shipment.

 

[Doug Hamilton]

I’ve got one. Blade made from a Land Rover leaf spring. I asked my PH about it when the boys in the truck got out to take care of a tree the elephants had pushed over the road. He offered it to me for no charge.

I have one also. I got it the same way in 1983. It's a treasured decoration in my "trophy room."

 

[deewayne2003]

Yes different sizes and styles depending on the tribe.

The small one with the swept back head is a Shona axe and the straight ones are Tonga; the large dark one was used to butcher my tuskless, the others I bought off the trackers.

I popped the blades out and covered the sharp edges with cardboard and duct tape and put them in my duffle bag.

 

[John J]

I have done it but you are not supposed to put anything other than hunting trophies in your shipment.

Ok, that is how I was told to do it. Next go round I'll inquire. Thank you

 

[BB416]

I put mine in a checked bag

 

[Sideshow]

Must get the e ray boys all of a quiver

 

[375Fox]

Ok, that is how I was told to do it. Next go round I'll inquire. Thank you

Check with the customs broker on US side. If they give all clear it’s good, but to my understanding it’s only supposed to be hunting trophies.

 

[Rare Breed]

Watching some of the videos on YouTube I often see the locals using very a very unique form of axe. Almost looks homemade except they are all very similar. The have a large knob at the end where the axe head is.

They look very cool and would be part of an interesting display. Great conversation piece if nothing else. Has anyone tried to buy one and bring it back? I know folks have brought back spears is there any barrier to bringing an axe back?

I see them using them to butcher elephants. Would be cool to buy one from the staff that had been used to butcher your own elephant.

The great late Lon Denny gave me mine last April before he passed. It is one of my most prized possessions in my trophy room

 

[IvW]

Demu....

 

[Hammergun]

I brought one home and gave it to my son. Now I wish that I'd bought myself one. I will on the next trip.

 

[Flipper Dude]

Bought one on the side of the road between Hwange and Vic Falls years ago, hunting with Dalton in his 1st year as a PH. Gave $8 for it. Son bought two from trackers last year when we were hunting with Wayne.

 

[Racer00]

PH I hunted with in Zim last December gave me one as a gift. I took it apart so it didn't look too formidable and packed in my rifle case. No issues with CBP.