a shibriya knife maybe?

ariel · 8th November 2022, 12:40 AM

This is a typical knife from Madjal Shams. This Druze village ( small town, really) was the exclusive producer of these knives for a very long time. In 1967, as a result of the Six Days War Israel captured the Golan Heights and four Druze villages, Madjal Shams included, fell under Israeli control.

From there on, Madjali knifemakers could not sell their knives to other Arab countries. Using this opportunity, many Syrian and Lebanese workshops were established and started producing their copies of Madjali knives.

Kmaddock's knife is quite old ( my guess late 19th-early 20th century), which by definition puts it into the " Real Madjali Druze" category. Good catch!

New " Madjali-like" knives are not real Druze, but Syrian/Lebanese mass produced copies.

I have a short saber of the Ottoman era with European blade and fully intact Madjali handle. The only Druze sword I have ever seen.

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8th November 2022, 12:40 AM	#8
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This is a typical knife from Madjal Shams. This Druze village ( small town, really) was the exclusive producer of these knives for a very long time. In 1967, as a result of the Six Days War Israel captured the Golan Heights and four Druze villages, Madjal Shams included, fell under Israeli control. From there on, Madjali knifemakers could not sell their knives to other Arab countries. Using this opportunity, many Syrian and Lebanese workshops were established and started producing their copies of Madjali knives. Kmaddock's knife is quite old ( my guess late 19th-early 20th century), which by definition puts it into the " Real Madjali Druze" category. Good catch! New " Madjali-like" knives are not real Druze, but Syrian/Lebanese mass produced copies. I have a short saber of the Ottoman era with European blade and fully intact Madjali handle. The only Druze sword I have ever seen.