Nice Old Saudi/Yemen Jambiya

Lew · 8th December 2007, 08:33 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, 09:02 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, 03:25 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, 03:51 AM

Yes, Asir, a sabiki like the attached photo.

kahnjar1 · 10th December 2007, 06:29 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, 02:50 PM

Perhaps the negative was reversed?

kahnjar1 · 11th December 2007, 03:12 AM

Not likely as the curve of the Janbiyya is correct way round.......so the original question remains..............

Emanuel · 11th December 2007, 03:19 AM

I once saw some pictures of Kurdish men wearing the khanjar in the waist sash with the hilt towards the left. I believe this facilitates drawing with the right hand. I tried it, and it's easy to reach with the right hand, draw the khanjar out towards the left or in an upward movement and stab downward or slash towards the right.
The long jambiya's from the Asir could perhaps function as a parying weapon as well, protecting the right arm when drawn and used for slashing.
Drawing with the left hand would only be good for a forward thurst or an underhand stab I think.

Suggestions and speculations

Regards,
Emanuel

8th December 2007, 08:33 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, 03:25 AM	#3
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	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, 03:51 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, 06:29 AM	#5
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	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, 09:02 PM	#2
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,621	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, 02:50 PM	#6
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Perhaps the negative was reversed?

11th December 2007, 03:12 AM	#7
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,739	Not likely as the curve of the Janbiyya is correct way round.......so the original question remains..............

11th December 2007, 03:19 AM	#8
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	I once saw some pictures of Kurdish men wearing the khanjar in the waist sash with the hilt towards the left. I believe this facilitates drawing with the right hand. I tried it, and it's easy to reach with the right hand, draw the khanjar out towards the left or in an upward movement and stab downward or slash towards the right. The long jambiya's from the Asir could perhaps function as a parying weapon as well, protecting the right arm when drawn and used for slashing. Drawing with the left hand would only be good for a forward thurst or an underhand stab I think. Suggestions and speculations Regards, Emanuel