Talk:Shotel

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Military history: Technology / Weaponry / African Start‑class

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Ancient Abyssinia or present day Ethiopia? Does that mean that its origins are unsure, or that the modern type is different from the Abyssinian type?

I will try to correct the confusing presentation. The present day Ethiopia was in olden days known to the outside world as Abyssinia. In one sense this is a term more used by outsiders than by the Ethiopians themselves. For all practical purposes the two terms can be used synonymously. More over, many 17th- 18th century historians and travellers used the name Abyssinia in their writings which would oblige one to use it when discussing historical items apropos of such documents. It is wiser to mention both terms as it would be confusing( especially to the unfamiliar reader) when trying to reference older documents concerning Ethiopia. - Ironinmohscale January 2, 2007 4:56pm.

Question, since you seem knowledgable on these sort of things, assuming you are still active: How is it pronounced? I've always pronounced it "show-tell", but there are arguments as to the proper pronounciation, and there is no official source I can find for English/Amharic pronounciation conversion. Any information would be appreciated. If someone else reads this, this information would be appreciated as well!-KainYusanagi (talk) 23:47, 20 November 2013 (UTC)[reply]

Internal Contradictions[edit]

Soooo, um. It says at the top that it's double-edged. On the other hand 'Design' clearly states that the upper edge is left unsharpened. Which I suppose, in the most literal sense of the words, isn't a contradiction, but I'm pretty sure that 'double-edged' is supposed to mean 'has two edges meant to cut', rather than being a comment on geometry and the fact that it's not round with a ridge on it at one point or some-such. :P

Can anyone who knows more about this clear it up, please?

I also noticed said discrepancy and thought it a glaring issue with the article. Upon searching briefly, I was able to find two specific instances of purportedly authentic, original pieces belonging to private collections (one having sold circa 2019), both of which stating the blade is double-edged. I'm not familiar enough with editing to determine whether these are considered attributable sources or how best to do so, but if an experienced editor comes across this comment and would like to make a significant improvement to the page you can pick up where I have left off and and attempt to confirm or falsify the existence of single-edged pieces, correct or clarify the language, and properly cite appropriate sources (good luck!). The links to pages found describing privately-held articles are as follows:

http://atkinson-swords.com/collection-by-region/africa/east-africa/shotel-abyssinia.html

https://www.ima-usa.com/products/original-19th-century-abyssinian-ethiopian-shotel-sword-with-silver-mounted-scabbard-circa-1850?variant=31085796720709

(Side notes- It may be possible to contact Atkinson. As the shotel has a diamond-shaped cross section, it should be interpreted that an unsharpened edge is indeed contradictory to double-edged.) — Preceding unsigned comment added by 2600:1700:7D0:F340:29A9:FB1D:9EA9:C2BC (talk) 15:20, 13 October 2022 (UTC)[reply]