A 'battle weary' Afghan Knife....comments and advice please

katana · 18th October 2007, 06:49 PM

My first Afghan Knife, nice blade, with a 'yataghan' curve approx 25" long and 2" at its widest. Hilt has seen better days, the top (brass ?) strip which covers the 'tang' is missing (which I would like to repair) The grips are horn with no movement the brass sections move slightly.
The scabbard has lost its leather covering, has a number of splits with some loss of wood. The chape is brass and very ornate, interestingly there are different designs on each side.

Could the blade be wootz, there does seem to be some patterning, but I am reluctant to remove the very old patina.

Any advice as to restoration, comments etc, as usual, gratefully received.

ward · 19th October 2007, 03:35 AM

I would doubt it is wootz probaly just layered up you could get some pattern out of it but I don't think it was orginally etched. black or brown goat would be right

BBJW · 19th October 2007, 03:56 PM

I doubt it is wootz as well. A very well used piece that I would just stabilize and leave it alone. Any more and it would lose it's character.

bbjw

katana · 19th October 2007, 08:22 PM

Thank you Ward and BBJW for your replies.

I only mentioned wootz because Stone shows an example which is described as having a watered blade. The patina suggests the possibility of wootz....but then the Khanda I own also suggested the same but a window etch disproved this

The blade had alot of active rust and obviously had been neglected for some time. (It was discovered in a garden shed

) Nevertheless, the edge was still incredibly sharp, suggesting a 'quality blade',

The crude soldering on the hilt seems old, and the lack of finesse suggested a 'running repair'.
Although I like its 'character' I still think replacing the brass strip on the top of the hilt would be an improvement. Perhaps I could find a way to attach it that is not permanent

Thanks for the ID of the leather 'source' I believe goats leather is commonly used for covering books so should be easily available.

The splits in the scabbard could easily be glued, but some portions around the throat of the scabbard are missing.....not certain whether to make 'in fill' pieces (out of timber) and glue them in position. Or to use a wood filler .....either would be hidden by the leather covering.

Is there usually brasswork around the throat of the scabbard ? I have found very few examples for comparison.

I understand a number of Afghan tribes use this weapon, are there tribal differences that could ID the 'source tribe'. Are there any characteristics of these Khyber knives which help to date them?

I apologise for all the questions. but I have very limited info on these

Kind Regards David

BBJW · 21st October 2007, 10:09 PM

Here is one of mine. This was recently brought back from Afghanistan.

bbjw

katana · 21st October 2007, 11:39 PM

Hi BBJW,
thanks, a very nice example, love the hilt

The scabbard fittings (on yours) look to be steel or silver ? It answers my question about metal work on the throat of the scabbard.... it would certainly re-enforce this vunerable area.
Are there features (design, decoration) that could help date and 'tribally' ID Khyber Knives ?

I am very impressed with the cutting ability of these blades ...the 'T' spine greatly strenghens and stiffens the blade but would prevent 'deep' cuts.
It seems that there would be 'techniques' of sword use that were unique to this style of blade ? The stabbing action is obvious...but I wonder how this sword would be used against, say, a Tulwar, or a 'straight' sword.

18th October 2007, 06:49 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	A 'battle weary' Afghan Knife....comments and advice please My first Afghan Knife, nice blade, with a 'yataghan' curve approx 25" long and 2" at its widest. Hilt has seen better days, the top (brass ?) strip which covers the 'tang' is missing (which I would like to repair) The grips are horn with no movement the brass sections move slightly. The scabbard has lost its leather covering, has a number of splits with some loss of wood. The chape is brass and very ornate, interestingly there are different designs on each side. Could the blade be wootz, there does seem to be some patterning, but I am reluctant to remove the very old patina. Any advice as to restoration, comments etc, as usual, gratefully received. Attached Images

21st October 2007, 10:09 PM	#5
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	Here is one of mine. This was recently brought back from Afghanistan. bbjw Attached Images

19th October 2007, 03:35 AM	#2
ward Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 637	I would doubt it is wootz probaly just layered up you could get some pattern out of it but I don't think it was orginally etched. black or brown goat would be right

19th October 2007, 03:56 PM	#3
BBJW Member Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Idaho, USA Posts: 228	I doubt it is wootz as well. A very well used piece that I would just stabilize and leave it alone. Any more and it would lose it's character. bbjw

19th October 2007, 08:22 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Thank you Ward and BBJW for your replies. I only mentioned wootz because Stone shows an example which is described as having a watered blade. The patina suggests the possibility of wootz....but then the Khanda I own also suggested the same but a window etch disproved this The blade had alot of active rust and obviously had been neglected for some time. (It was discovered in a garden shed ) Nevertheless, the edge was still incredibly sharp, suggesting a 'quality blade', The crude soldering on the hilt seems old, and the lack of finesse suggested a 'running repair'. Although I like its 'character' I still think replacing the brass strip on the top of the hilt would be an improvement. Perhaps I could find a way to attach it that is not permanent Thanks for the ID of the leather 'source' I believe goats leather is commonly used for covering books so should be easily available. The splits in the scabbard could easily be glued, but some portions around the throat of the scabbard are missing.....not certain whether to make 'in fill' pieces (out of timber) and glue them in position. Or to use a wood filler .....either would be hidden by the leather covering. Is there usually brasswork around the throat of the scabbard ? I have found very few examples for comparison. I understand a number of Afghan tribes use this weapon, are there tribal differences that could ID the 'source tribe'. Are there any characteristics of these Khyber knives which help to date them? I apologise for all the questions. but I have very limited info on these Kind Regards David

21st October 2007, 11:39 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,653	Hi BBJW, thanks, a very nice example, love the hilt The scabbard fittings (on yours) look to be steel or silver ? It answers my question about metal work on the throat of the scabbard.... it would certainly re-enforce this vunerable area. Are there features (design, decoration) that could help date and 'tribally' ID Khyber Knives ? I am very impressed with the cutting ability of these blades ...the 'T' spine greatly strenghens and stiffens the blade but would prevent 'deep' cuts. It seems that there would be 'techniques' of sword use that were unique to this style of blade ? The stabbing action is obvious...but I wonder how this sword would be used against, say, a Tulwar, or a 'straight' sword.