Jambiya, Amber hilt, Before & After a Little Restoration

Ian · 14th July 2005, 07:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by derek

Man, I'm not sure it's amber. The usual smell test is impossible. The whole thing smells like it spent the last 75 years sitting in my great grandmother's attic.

Derek:

If you mean that it smells like moth balls, then that could be the camphor smell associated with celluloid, a synthetic resin used a lot 100+ years ago. In any case, amber would not smell like moth balls.

Ian.

derek · 14th July 2005, 07:45 PM

Ian,

I think it's celluloid. I've smelled real amber, and though this looks a lot like it, I just don't think it is. It has been in a smoker's home as well, but even with all the smells mixing together you're right about the moth ball odor.

Thanks for the help.

-d

derek · 14th July 2005, 08:45 PM

Ian,

I decided to drop those shards into salty water as described in the amber test page. One is about 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. Big enough to sink. The other is slightly smaller. I even pushed them to the bottom of the cup. They sat there - until the salt dissolved completely. Then they both popped back to the top! So now I really don't know.

Jens Nordlunde · 14th July 2005, 09:45 PM

Hi Derek,

My knowledge about amber it very little, although amber in this sizes like these is rare, and my knowledge about fake amber is even smaller, so I can’t help you out here, but to me the thing as a whole looks Indian. Although I must also say that it could be Arabian. Interesting knife.

Rick · 14th July 2005, 10:41 PM

I'm having a hard time believing that this hilt material is amber in any form . I think we have all seen numerous examples of this type of hilt and from what I read from the links provided it just doesn't make sense that weapons hilted from this material (if amber) can sell for such a low price on the open market .
If this stuff really is amber (even reconstituted) I would expect to see color variations but all I have seen is the same general color and opaqueness in every example . Large chunk amber is quite expensive and molding bits and pieces seems to be a fairly complicated process which would IMO require a much higher price as a material .

Amber chunks :
http://www.ambericawest.com/chunks.html

Maybe it is this stuff which could be manufactured at a fairly simple level of technology :
http://www.ambericawest.com/make_amber.html

Andrew · 15th July 2005, 12:48 AM

Could this be bakelite?

http://www.deco-echoes.com/bakelite.html

derek · 15th July 2005, 12:52 AM

Hi Rick,

I'm doubting it too, but if the example Artzi lists is in fact amber - I note the term amber like is very deliberately used - then this looks identical. I totally defer to others on this and I suspect you are right. Could be the floating piece is a fluke due to the small size of the sample.

Is the amber in the links you included the "only kind" of amber? This stuff certainly looks nothing like it.

BTW, I didn't mention what I paid but it was in fact pretty cheap! Having said, I just got a PAIR of ivory handled kukris for $80! It can happen...

Rick · 15th July 2005, 03:46 AM

Nice score Derek !
Too damn nice , grrrrrrrr grumble .

There is yet another 'amber' hilted jambiya just like yours and Artzi's currently being offered . Doesn't Aurangzeb have one of these too ?

The one thing these hilts have in common is a consistancy of color and for a natural material like amber this strikes me as very un-natural .
Maybe these hilts are being referred to as amber for their color and for lack of knowledge of what they really are made from .
This is probably a silly question but have you tapped the hilt against your teeth ? Could it possibly be some kind of stone ?

14th July 2005, 08:45 PM	#3
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Well, now I really don't know Ian, I decided to drop those shards into salty water as described in the amber test page. One is about 1/2 inch by 1/4 inch. Big enough to sink. The other is slightly smaller. I even pushed them to the bottom of the cup. They sat there - until the salt dissolved completely. Then they both popped back to the top! So now I really don't know.

14th July 2005, 10:41 PM	#5
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Really Doubtful I'm having a hard time believing that this hilt material is amber in any form . I think we have all seen numerous examples of this type of hilt and from what I read from the links provided it just doesn't make sense that weapons hilted from this material (if amber) can sell for such a low price on the open market . If this stuff really is amber (even reconstituted) I would expect to see color variations but all I have seen is the same general color and opaqueness in every example . Large chunk amber is quite expensive and molding bits and pieces seems to be a fairly complicated process which would IMO require a much higher price as a material . Amber chunks : http://www.ambericawest.com/chunks.html Maybe it is this stuff which could be manufactured at a fairly simple level of technology : http://www.ambericawest.com/make_amber.html

15th July 2005, 03:46 AM	#8
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,347	Some Guys Have All the Luck Nice score Derek ! Too damn nice , grrrrrrrr grumble . There is yet another 'amber' hilted jambiya just like yours and Artzi's currently being offered . Doesn't Aurangzeb have one of these too ? The one thing these hilts have in common is a consistancy of color and for a natural material like amber this strikes me as very un-natural . Maybe these hilts are being referred to as amber for their color and for lack of knowledge of what they really are made from . This is probably a silly question but have you tapped the hilt against your teeth ? Could it possibly be some kind of stone ?

14th July 2005, 07:45 PM	#2
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Ian, I think it's celluloid. I've smelled real amber, and though this looks a lot like it, I just don't think it is. It has been in a smoker's home as well, but even with all the smells mixing together you're right about the moth ball odor. Thanks for the help. -d

14th July 2005, 09:45 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Hi Derek, My knowledge about amber it very little, although amber in this sizes like these is rare, and my knowledge about fake amber is even smaller, so I can’t help you out here, but to me the thing as a whole looks Indian. Although I must also say that it could be Arabian. Interesting knife.

15th July 2005, 12:48 AM	#6
Andrew Member Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: USA Posts: 1,725	Could this be bakelite? http://www.deco-echoes.com/bakelite.html

15th July 2005, 12:52 AM	#7
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Hi Rick, I'm doubting it too, but if the example Artzi lists is in fact amber - I note the term amber like is very deliberately used - then this looks identical. I totally defer to others on this and I suspect you are right. Could be the floating piece is a fluke due to the small size of the sample. Is the amber in the links you included the "only kind" of amber? This stuff certainly looks nothing like it. BTW, I didn't mention what I paid but it was in fact pretty cheap! Having said, I just got a PAIR of ivory handled kukris for $80! It can happen...