Exciting Project; Historic Khanjar. The UAE KHANJAR.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi Ibrahiim,

Thank you for helping us understand these subtle differences.
I humbly submit that these regional differences are worthy of an educational thread of their very own (with many pictoral examples to illustrate).

I do like the dagger style a lot. Very fine work indeed.

Best
Gene

Salaams Atlantia,

I use the words generally and usually quite liberally when describing the area from which a Khanjar originates~ In fact it is more likely that other than the Al bu Said Khanjar( Khanjar sa'idiyyah) which is really the only Khanjar which is "classifiable" in its own right ~ all other khanjars can be made in all silversmiths locations... these days. Having said that certain silversmiths specialise in this or that floral geometric or arabesque design but it is actually hugely difficult to pinpoint or even to say this is from Sur or this style is Bedu. Making it more difficult is the local habit of upgrading weapons; changing hilts, adding accoutrements to the waistbelt and so on but in general you could say a khanjar with a lot of leather showing on the lower scabbard is from the Interior (Dhakiliyyah) whilst massively stitched showing no leather is off the Coast. Daggers with rounded pommels are from the Sharqiyyah(east) whilst T shaped hilts are coastal (baatinah)or elsewhere ~ Generally !

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.