Go on...show us your Choora!!

Andy Stevens · 17th January 2012, 03:07 PM

Ah! Kipling....fine poetry and exceedingly good cakes

! The old work horses are very welcome, its worth comparing the subtle differences between older and more modern examples, especially in the quality and decoration of the scabbards, some of which are just works of art in themselves. We've attached below three images of North Indian knifes, very workman like with re-enforced spines and pesh like overall appearance. All comments welcome. The top example we originally described as a pesh/choora but now we would call a Karud!

Lew · 17th January 2012, 04:27 PM

Here is one that I picked up a couple of years ago. The blade is wootz but I have no good close ups of it.

thinreadline · 17th January 2012, 05:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

Here is one that I picked up a couple of years ago. The blade is wootz but I have no good close ups of it.

Very classy Lew , I like it.

A.alnakkas · 17th January 2012, 08:29 PM

These are mine.. Nothing fancy, but authentic I think.

Lew · 17th January 2012, 08:57 PM

I forgot this one which was forged from a file.

thinreadline · 17th January 2012, 10:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lew

I forgot this one which id forged from a file.

You made this Lew ?

Lew · 17th January 2012, 11:46 PM

Sorry type O

. Nope picked it up on ebay many years ago. You can still see the teeth from the file on the blade's surface.

ariel · 18th January 2012, 06:39 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stevens

Ah! Kipling....fine poetry and exceedingly good cakes

! We've attached below three images of North Indian knifes, very workman like with re-enforced spines and pesh like overall appearance. All comments welcome. The top example we originally described as a pesh/choora but now we would call a Karud!

Aren't they so-called Kerala knives? Long way to Afghanistan :-)

Andy Stevens · 18th January 2012, 02:07 PM

Hi Ariel,
Glad somebody mentioned the Kerala knife; the guy we got this example from had several and had sourced them locally in Rajasthan, we later saw them described as Kerala knifes in one of Tirri's fine books, so not sure as to what they actually are. They certainly share some of the characteristics of the Pesh family, heavy blade, thick spine and multi segment hilts.

Hmm, just don't know!

Stan S. · 18th January 2012, 02:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Andy Stevens

Hi Ariel,
Glad somebody mentioned the Kerala knife; the guy we got this example from had several and had sourced them locally in Rajasthan, we later saw them described as Kerala knifes in one of Tirri's fine books, so not sure as to what they actually are. They certainly share some of the characteristics of the Pesh family, heavy blade, thick spine and multi segment hilts.

Hmm, just don't know!

Not to push ahead with my theory on the meaning of "choora" (as covered earlier in thsi thread) but if it holds to be true, a typical "kerala knife" is also a "choora"

Lew · 18th January 2012, 04:35 PM

Stan

a choora is a specific style of knife associated with certain tribes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The kerala knife is associated with an area in the southwest coast of india. Even though they may look similar they really are two different animals and we need to differentiate between them.

thinreadline · 18th January 2012, 09:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stan S.

Not to push ahead with my theory on the meaning of "choora" (as covered earlier in thsi thread) but if it holds to be true, a typical "kerala knife" is also a "choora"

And choora is also a set of bangles worn by Indian brides !

Rick · 18th January 2012, 09:54 PM

Wootz

Lew · 18th January 2012, 10:28 PM

Rick I think this is a karud from Uzbekistan?

Kurt · 27th January 2012, 11:03 AM

Anyone who has seen one like this?
Best
Kurt

TimW · 23rd February 2012, 05:52 PM

I recently acquired this lovely Choora. What strikes me is the ressemblance in decoration / built with some of the other daggers shown above. The workmanship on this knife is incredible. The carving of the blade, the embellishment on the spine of the blade, the intricate handle design... Let's say I am more than happy having recovered this beauty.

The handle is ivory (probably elephant), blade seems to be wootz. Sheath is wood covered with leather. The tip of the scabbard is reinforced with embellished brass / copper.

Montino Bourbon · 23rd February 2012, 07:16 PM

I made the rosewood scabbard.

Stan S. · 18th January 2012, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by thinreadline

And choora is also a set of bangles worn by Indian brides !

True. I could never understand why. They don't resemble a knife (or using the other theory the word "next" for that matter)

17th January 2012, 03:07 PM	#1
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Ah! Kipling....fine poetry and exceedingly good cakes ! The old work horses are very welcome, its worth comparing the subtle differences between older and more modern examples, especially in the quality and decoration of the scabbards, some of which are just works of art in themselves. We've attached below three images of North Indian knifes, very workman like with re-enforced spines and pesh like overall appearance. All comments welcome. The top example we originally described as a pesh/choora but now we would call a Karud! Attached Images

17th January 2012, 04:27 PM	#2
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Here is one that I picked up a couple of years ago. The blade is wootz but I have no good close ups of it. Attached Images

17th January 2012, 08:29 PM	#4
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	These are mine.. Nothing fancy, but authentic I think. Attached Images

17th January 2012, 08:57 PM	#5
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	I forgot this one which was forged from a file. Attached Images Last edited by Lew; 17th January 2012 at 11:49 PM.

18th January 2012, 09:54 PM	#13
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,376	Uzbek Icepick Wootz Attached Images

17th January 2012, 11:46 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Sorry type O . Nope picked it up on ebay many years ago. You can still see the teeth from the file on the blade's surface.

18th January 2012, 02:07 PM	#9
Andy Stevens Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: London Posts: 155	Hi Ariel, Glad somebody mentioned the Kerala knife; the guy we got this example from had several and had sourced them locally in Rajasthan, we later saw them described as Kerala knifes in one of Tirri's fine books, so not sure as to what they actually are. They certainly share some of the characteristics of the Pesh family, heavy blade, thick spine and multi segment hilts. Hmm, just don't know!

18th January 2012, 04:35 PM	#11
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Stan a choora is a specific style of knife associated with certain tribes in Afghanistan and Pakistan. The kerala knife is associated with an area in the southwest coast of india. Even though they may look similar they really are two different animals and we need to differentiate between them.

18th January 2012, 10:28 PM	#14
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Rick I think this is a karud from Uzbekistan?

27th January 2012, 11:03 AM	#15
Kurt Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Germany Posts: 197	Another Choora Anyone who has seen one like this? Best Kurt Attached Images

23rd February 2012, 05:52 PM	#16
TimW Member Join Date: Aug 2010 Posts: 54	I recently acquired this lovely Choora. What strikes me is the ressemblance in decoration / built with some of the other daggers shown above. The workmanship on this knife is incredible. The carving of the blade, the embellishment on the spine of the blade, the intricate handle design... Let's say I am more than happy having recovered this beauty. The handle is ivory (probably elephant), blade seems to be wootz. Sheath is wood covered with leather. The tip of the scabbard is reinforced with embellished brass / copper. Attached Images

23rd February 2012, 07:16 PM	#17
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	nice piece of wootz... I made the rosewood scabbard. Attached Images