Yemeni Sayfs? Omani Kattaras?

SwedeGreen · 10th October 2012, 02:27 PM

Thank you to Jim, Emanuel (again), and Mr. Alnakkas for your welcome and info. I seem to have broken two Forum rules already so excuse me and thanks for your patience.

I'll study the forums on Kattaras while enjoying all of the rich information from the rest of this interesting field.

Respectfully
Johnny

Emanuel · 11th October 2012, 09:04 AM

Wow I'm confused

So...the sayf is straight, the kattara is curved, the old Omani battle swords were called Yamani Sayf, and this type of hilt was identified by Ibrahiim as the older, original long kattara handle, before it was simplified to the tapered one we know.

So are these old, long Omani Yamani Sayfs missing quillons? They seem quite substantial with good blades, and they seem to have some age, so why modern and ceremonial?

For reference, here are the most recent relevant threads:
Kattara for comments
You may know them as Omani Saifs but they will always be Kattara to me

All the best,
Emanuel

Rick · 11th October 2012, 05:07 PM

Agree, they are the oldest looking 'modern' swords that I have seen in a long time .

Can you elaborate, Jim ?

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th October 2012, 05:29 PM

Salaams all~ These are Saudia swords and often found in Yemen close to the Saudia border. I have shown examples on Kattara for comment. The blades are not flexible though they often sport a single short fuller or sometimes a long fuller in the Ethiopian style which I suspect is on the first sword illustrated.
The hilt bears an uncanny relationship to the old Omani battle sword in that it appears similar yet somehow stretched. So far as I can see however they are unrelated otherwise.
I have an identical hilt fitted to an Ethiopian blade(originally German) Michael Blalock has shown similar swords from both regional souks and military museums. Occasionally they pitch up in Muscat Souk but are also very common in Sanaa.
It appears that there is a link through sword style to the Mamluke period which in turn copied styles of Abbasiid swords.

These are absolutely not Omani types.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

10th October 2012, 02:27 PM	#1
SwedeGreen Member Join Date: Oct 2012 Posts: 7	Thank You Thank you to Jim, Emanuel (again), and Mr. Alnakkas for your welcome and info. I seem to have broken two Forum rules already so excuse me and thanks for your patience. I'll study the forums on Kattaras while enjoying all of the rich information from the rest of this interesting field. Respectfully Johnny

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11th October 2012, 09:04 AM	#2
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Wow I'm confused So...the sayf is straight, the kattara is curved, the old Omani battle swords were called Yamani Sayf, and this type of hilt was identified by Ibrahiim as the older, original long kattara handle, before it was simplified to the tapered one we know. So are these old, long Omani Yamani Sayfs missing quillons? They seem quite substantial with good blades, and they seem to have some age, so why modern and ceremonial? For reference, here are the most recent relevant threads: Kattara for comments You may know them as Omani Saifs but they will always be Kattara to me All the best, Emanuel

11th October 2012, 05:07 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,336	Agree, they are the oldest looking 'modern' swords that I have seen in a long time . Can you elaborate, Jim ?

11th October 2012, 05:29 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams all~ These are Saudia swords and often found in Yemen close to the Saudia border. I have shown examples on Kattara for comment. The blades are not flexible though they often sport a single short fuller or sometimes a long fuller in the Ethiopian style which I suspect is on the first sword illustrated. The hilt bears an uncanny relationship to the old Omani battle sword in that it appears similar yet somehow stretched. So far as I can see however they are unrelated otherwise. I have an identical hilt fitted to an Ethiopian blade(originally German) Michael Blalock has shown similar swords from both regional souks and military museums. Occasionally they pitch up in Muscat Souk but are also very common in Sanaa. It appears that there is a link through sword style to the Mamluke period which in turn copied styles of Abbasiid swords. These are absolutely not Omani types. Regards, Ibrahiim al Balooshi.