Nice Old Saudi/Yemen Jambiya

Lew · 8th December 2007, 07:33 PM

This arrived today. It seems to be a cross between a Saudi and a Yemeni jambiy. The blade is longer and some what narrower than most of the Yemen style jambiyas I have come across. The blade is about 9.5-10 inches long and is very well made with a thick center rib. The hilt is buffalo horn with nice silver fittings. The scabbard has seen better days and is quite worn but in all a very unique jambiya variation.

Lew

TVV · 8th December 2007, 08:02 PM

Quite interesting indeed. I wonder if this is some variation of the jambiyas from Asir - the region used to be part of Yemen before the Saudis conquered it and some combined influence in style seems plausible. I wonder even more what Saqr Al-Anzi's opinion would be - he hasn't been frequent in the forum as of late, but maybe you can contact him by e-mail?

kahnjar1 · 9th December 2007, 02:25 AM

I have this Janbiyya from the Hijaz/Asir region, blade 14". The hilt is quite different but there are some very similar features to the scabbard.

Michael Blalock · 9th December 2007, 02:51 AM

Yes, Asir, a sabiki like the attached photo.

kahnjar1 · 10th December 2007, 05:29 AM

I realise that this is changing the direction of this thread slightly but since it still deals with this type of knife, I hope it will be excused.
I note that in the pic of the gent with the Sabiki,

that the hilt is to the left hand of the wearer. I have another pic showing several gents with these knives, and they also all have their hilts to the left.
Is there a reason for this does anyone know??

Michael Blalock · 10th December 2007, 01:50 PM

Perhaps the negative was reversed?

8th December 2007, 07:33 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Nice Old Saudi/Yemen Jambiya This arrived today. It seems to be a cross between a Saudi and a Yemeni jambiy. The blade is longer and some what narrower than most of the Yemen style jambiyas I have come across. The blade is about 9.5-10 inches long and is very well made with a thick center rib. The hilt is buffalo horn with nice silver fittings. The scabbard has seen better days and is quite worn but in all a very unique jambiya variation. Lew Attached Images

9th December 2007, 02:25 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,772	Similar Scabbard Features I have this Janbiyya from the Hijaz/Asir region, blade 14". The hilt is quite different but there are some very similar features to the scabbard. Attached Images

9th December 2007, 02:51 AM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Yes, Asir, a sabiki like the attached photo. Attached Images

10th December 2007, 05:29 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,772	All Left Handers?? I realise that this is changing the direction of this thread slightly but since it still deals with this type of knife, I hope it will be excused. I note that in the pic of the gent with the Sabiki, that the hilt is to the left hand of the wearer. I have another pic showing several gents with these knives, and they also all have their hilts to the left. Is there a reason for this does anyone know??

8th December 2007, 08:02 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,659	Quite interesting indeed. I wonder if this is some variation of the jambiyas from Asir - the region used to be part of Yemen before the Saudis conquered it and some combined influence in style seems plausible. I wonder even more what Saqr Al-Anzi's opinion would be - he hasn't been frequent in the forum as of late, but maybe you can contact him by e-mail?

10th December 2007, 01:50 PM	#6
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Perhaps the negative was reversed?