Anatomy of a Jambiya The Old vs The New and How to Tell Them Apart

Lew · 14th June 2008, 07:47 PM

Hi All

Lately I been asked by a few people about how you tell the difference between older jambiya and ones made after the middle 20th century. I will attempt to explain the differences. The things you need to pay attention to right off the bat is the blade. Newer blades made after the oil boom of the 1970s often exhibit a central rib that looks squared off and pressed rather than rounded and forged to shape also the tip on the older blades some of them were imported from India seem to have the rib terminate just behind the point with the last 1/4 inch having a radiused tip that reinforces the tip during penetration. The next thing to look out for is the quality of the hilt most newer hilts have sheet brass coin like discs rather than real old coins or nail work and the band just below the blade is often of poor quality. You also must pay attention to the scabbard quality a general style which change from era to era below the top scabbard is recent the two below that one are 19th century and the small one is circa 1940-50. Below are some examples of Yemen jambiya all but one are late 19th century pieces. The example with the brass discs is 1970-90 vintage you can see the difference in quality the older versions have a mosiac of silver studs which were very labor intense to apply. I will be posting other examples from different regions in the Middle east in the future.

Lew

Jim McDougall · 14th June 2008, 09:25 PM

really interesting! always wondered how to tell so this is great info.

olikara · 14th June 2008, 10:16 PM

Lew,

Thanks for the great education.

Nidhin

kahnjar1 · 14th June 2008, 11:16 PM

Hi Lew,
Thanks for the very informative pointers on the Yemeni Jambiya. My collection of Arabian Peninsula blades lacks examples from the Yemen for the very reason you mention---lack of knowledge in identification of fakes from the area. I have even seen blades made in 2 halves and spot welded together!! Ebay has many "genuine" Yemeni items listed but after having been bitten once, I have steered away from buying there, choosing to wait until I can see examples "in the flesh", or obtain from a reputable dealer or collector.
I look forward to further installments on Arabian blades.
Regards Stuart

Chris Evans · 15th June 2008, 02:14 AM

Lew,

A big thanks for a very educative post. Keep up the good work.

Cheers
Chris

Gavin Nugent · 15th June 2008, 02:33 AM

Thanks Lew, just what collectors need, comparrisions and further information on the subject

regards

Gav

14th June 2008, 07:47 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Anatomy of a Jambiya The Old vs The New and How to Tell Them Apart Hi All Lately I been asked by a few people about how you tell the difference between older jambiya and ones made after the middle 20th century. I will attempt to explain the differences. The things you need to pay attention to right off the bat is the blade. Newer blades made after the oil boom of the 1970s often exhibit a central rib that looks squared off and pressed rather than rounded and forged to shape also the tip on the older blades some of them were imported from India seem to have the rib terminate just behind the point with the last 1/4 inch having a radiused tip that reinforces the tip during penetration. The next thing to look out for is the quality of the hilt most newer hilts have sheet brass coin like discs rather than real old coins or nail work and the band just below the blade is often of poor quality. You also must pay attention to the scabbard quality a general style which change from era to era below the top scabbard is recent the two below that one are 19th century and the small one is circa 1940-50. Below are some examples of Yemen jambiya all but one are late 19th century pieces. The example with the brass discs is 1970-90 vintage you can see the difference in quality the older versions have a mosiac of silver studs which were very labor intense to apply. I will be posting other examples from different regions in the Middle east in the future. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 14th June 2008 at 08:15 PM.

14th June 2008, 10:16 PM	#3
olikara Member Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: India Posts: 100	Thanks Lew, Thanks for the great education. Nidhin

14th June 2008, 11:16 PM	#4
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,731	THANKS!! Hi Lew, Thanks for the very informative pointers on the Yemeni Jambiya. My collection of Arabian Peninsula blades lacks examples from the Yemen for the very reason you mention---lack of knowledge in identification of fakes from the area. I have even seen blades made in 2 halves and spot welded together!! Ebay has many "genuine" Yemeni items listed but after having been bitten once, I have steered away from buying there, choosing to wait until I can see examples "in the flesh", or obtain from a reputable dealer or collector. I look forward to further installments on Arabian blades. Regards Stuart

15th June 2008, 02:33 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Very informative Thanks Lew, just what collectors need, comparrisions and further information on the subject regards Gav

14th June 2008, 09:25 PM	#2
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 9,896	really interesting! always wondered how to tell so this is great info.

15th June 2008, 02:14 AM	#5
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 675	Lew, A big thanks for a very educative post. Keep up the good work. Cheers Chris