Ethnographic Arms & Armour - View Single Post

Gavin Nugent · 7th January 2009, 11:35 AM

Thanks to everyone for their input on these lovely knives, there is much diversity and information to digest.

They have arrived and I am quite taken with them. I'll get to posting further images in a few days when time is easier to find.

I have a few questions though.

There are different materials used in the hilts of these, plastic, Rhino horn, timber, silver, ivory etc but I have also heard of giraffe hoof being used too.
As these two I have here are horn hilted jambiyas, is the any clear way of identifying the horn? Could they be giraffe hoof? Can anyone point to a good reference of identifying any hoof rather than horn?

Also the other question I have is one that opinions may vary, to clean off the tarnish or leave it? I am sure these will glow if it is removed but does this detract from their presence? Me personally, I would love to clean the silver and show off more of their beauty.

Gav

7th January 2009, 11:35 AM	#20
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks all Thanks to everyone for their input on these lovely knives, there is much diversity and information to digest. They have arrived and I am quite taken with them. I'll get to posting further images in a few days when time is easier to find. I have a few questions though. There are different materials used in the hilts of these, plastic, Rhino horn, timber, silver, ivory etc but I have also heard of giraffe hoof being used too. As these two I have here are horn hilted jambiyas, is the any clear way of identifying the horn? Could they be giraffe hoof? Can anyone point to a good reference of identifying any hoof rather than horn? Also the other question I have is one that opinions may vary, to clean off the tarnish or leave it? I am sure these will glow if it is removed but does this detract from their presence? Me personally, I would love to clean the silver and show off more of their beauty. Gav