Another Jambiya for Comment

[Lew]

Just picked this up today can't tell but my guess is mid 20th century?

[A.alnakkas]

Hey Lew, Congrats.

It looks to be from that time period indeed. The belt atleast fits the timeline. The scabbard decoration looks better then average? is it a low grade silver? I liked this one but couldnt bid on it!

Regards,

Abdullatif

[Lew]

Abdullatif

I don't have it in hand yet it should be here by next week will update you then.

[A.alnakkas]

So Lew, how about sharing some nice photos of this one? :-)

[Atlantia]

Hi Lew,

I think I was looking at it's 'twin' a few weeks ago!
Nice example, as said above, great belt and scabbard fittings.

[Lew]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

So Lew, how about sharing some nice photos of this one? :-)

Salaams Lotfy

Will try to get some for you tomorrow.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Lew

Salaams Lotfy

Will try to get some for you tomorrow.

Looking forward to it. I want to learn more about these ;-)

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Lew

Just picked this up today can't tell but my guess is mid 20th century?

Salaams Lew ~ I would agree with 20th C but late. Post 48; probably 70s 80s ? Often shown with copies of coinage and the big broad blade. With the situation in Yemen being more or less "dire" merchants are keen to move these around the markets thus there are loads in surrounding neighboring countries souks. I'm not sure what they represent in terms of ethnographic daggers in the sense that pre the exodus of Jewish artesans we know that the quality of work was far superior so that perhaps these represent Yemeni craftsmanship as it struggled to raise its level of expertise, though, some would argue that they never acheived that even today. The item I show is even later ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams Lew ~ I would agree with 20th C but late. Post 48; probably 70s 80s ? Often shown with copies of coinage and the big broad blade. With the situation in Yemen being more or less "dire" merchants are keen to move these around the markets thus there are loads in surrounding neighboring countries souks. I'm not sure what they represent in terms of ethnographic daggers in the sense that pre the exodus of Jewish artesans we know that the quality of work was far superior so that perhaps these represent Yemeni craftsmanship as it struggled to raise its level of expertise, though, some would argue that they never acheived that even today. The item I show is even later ...
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Its really difficult to define how old are Yemeni/Omani items are. There is lots of restoration and reuse. The blade on Lew's is of good quality compared to yours (which you correctly point out to be newer then the age you suggest for Lew's) Though in general the older blades are of better quality and comes forged with thicker central ridge. Hindawan and older Gusbi blades are still desirable and get refurbished often.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Its really difficult to define how old are Yemeni/Omani items are. There is lots of restoration and reuse. The blade on Lew's is of good quality compared to yours (which you correctly point out to be newer then the age you suggest for Lew's) Though in general the older blades are of better quality and comes forged with thicker central ridge. Hindawan and older Gusbi blades are still desirable and get refurbished often.

Salaams A.alnakkas Yes I don't disagree with any of that, however, I use the pivottal date of 1948 as the likely time after which the project item was made. Lew has a better belt i.e. with the floral decorations etc and the blade is highly polished ... mine isnt I think it reasonable to guage this dagger in a group of weapons attributed to Yemeni craftsmen post 48. For lookers-on your reference is perfectly correct about age on these items as it should be noted that many parts are swapped and changed and that can be very confusing. Forum recently noted how rhino hilted swords were being dismantled to refit Jambias with those hilts. Swapping weapon parts is very common.

As an afternote I would add that a close inspection of the silver furniture will no doubt discover if it has any makers stamps... which would undo my guestimate and no doubt delight the new owner. On magnification I note that the pattern and style on the buckle and main body of the item are perhaps similar so we could all get a surprise...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[A.alnakkas]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Salaams A.alnakkas Yes I don't disagree with any of that, however, I use the pivottal date of 1948 as the likely time after which the project item was made. Lew has a better belt i.e. with the floral decorations etc and the blade is highly polished ... mine isnt I think it reasonable to guage this dagger in a group of weapons attributed to Yemeni craftsmen post 48. For lookers-on your reference is perfectly correct about age on these items as it should be noted that many parts are swapped and changed and that can be very confusing. Forum recently noted how rhino hilted swords were being dismantled to refit Jambias with those hilts. Swapping weapon parts is very common.

As an afternote I would add that a close inspection of the silver furniture will no doubt discover if it has any makers stamps... which would undo my guestimate and no doubt delight the new owner. On magnification I note that the pattern and style on the buckle and main body of the item are perhaps similar so we could all get a surprise...

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

I am always alittle weary of precise dates. But will try not to delve deep into it.

The best way to define a good blade on a jambiya/khanjar is to check how well the central ridge is formed. The thicker and larger it is the better the craftmanship. Yours is probably made of 2 sheet steel which is the lowest quality.. supposedly discontinued though?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

I am always alittle weary of precise dates. But will try not to delve deep into it.

The best way to define a good blade on a jambiya/khanjar is to check how well the central ridge is formed. The thicker and larger it is the better the craftmanship. Yours is probably made of 2 sheet steel which is the lowest quality.. supposedly discontinued though?

Salaams A.alnakkas Well now that you mention it That is not the only way to define a good blade, moreover, there are numerous ways to view the most important part of the weapon~ First the dagger is held at the blade tip between two finger tips and a thumb.. lightly...If the blade is any good it will slowly slip from the grip. Second the blade may be struck with the flick of the index fingernail... wherupon if it going diiiinggg !! its no good but if it exudes a dull thud !! is the result then it is a superior blade. The next test is taste... dont ask me to describe this as its a personal thing ...but it is related to the smell test and that is a perfume of old herbs from an equally old shoe !...The scent of the souk... which apparently permeates a good old blade. After and amongst all that I agree that viewing the blade construction is important and the well formed ridge is obviously a good indicator...Im just off to the souk and may well shoot a half dozen Yemeni dagger lookalikes and some other blades.... (which after half an hour of searching I discovered absolutely nothing except blades as you were describing made of 2 sheets which are awful... ah well.)

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Martin Lubojacky]

Hi,
Without any aspirations (I don´t have knowledge about jambiyas), let me just join this opportunity and share the picture of the only one jambiya from Arabian peninsula I have. This jambiya without sheath and belt was bought in Addis Ababa in cca 1996. I was not able to clean it - but I like it as it is...
Regards,
Martin

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Martin Lubojacky

Hi,
Without any aspirations (I don´t have knowledge about jambiyas), let me just join this opportunity and share the picture of the only one jambiya from Arabian peninsula I have. This jambiya without sheath and belt was bought in Addis Ababa in cca 1996. I was not able to clean it - but I like it as it is...
Regards,
Martin

Salaams Martin Lubojacky There you have a Yemeni dagger under an Omani Terrs. The buckler shield favoured by Omanis.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Lew]

I updated the photo of the jambiya I cleaned up the silver also.

[A.alnakkas]

Very nice silver work! could you take some zooms of it? Whats your impressions on the quality of the silverwork?

The hilt is low quality, but what about the blade?

I have a similar example with a gold plated silver scabbard with Arabian script on it.. appears to be names of Imams. Will take some photos tommorow morning as its dark here ;-)

[Lew]

Lotfy

This is a typical quality jambiya for the man in the street. Mid 1970-80s as you stated the hilt is lower standard but the blade seems solid. Of course it can't compare with the older examples in my collection.