Interesting Choora, ivory question

[Pukka Bundook]

Thanks for the answer M,

A friend who was stationed at Spin Boldak (spelling) insisted a Choora is a ladies necklace........said Chora was a knife. But I well understand your answer and accept it as such!

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Pukka Bundook

Thanks for the answer M,

A friend who was stationed at Spin Boldak (spelling) insisted a Choora is a ladies necklace........said Chora was a knife. But I well understand your answer and accept it as such!

This is very interesting information! So perhaps the correct spelling would be "CHORA" and not Choora.

Chora is also the name of a district in Uruzgan province of Afghanistan and it appears logical to name a knife after the area from where it originates (like the "Khyber knife").

[Royston]

I have handled a lot of these over the years and own quite a few now. I have never seen one with ivory on the hilt they are always horn / bone. To me they are everyday working knives not status pieces so are unlikely to be dressed in expensive ivory. I am not saying that an ivory grip does not exist, just that it would be on a much more impressive knife.

Regards
Roy

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Royston

I have handled a lot of these over the years and own quite a few now. I have never seen one with ivory on the hilt they are always horn / bone. To me they are everyday working knives not status pieces so are unlikely to be dressed in expensive ivory. I am not saying that an ivory grip does not exist, just that it would be on a much more impressive knife.

Regards
Roy

Roy, I have seen several choora with ivory hilts including one I own.

[estcrh]

One more comparison showing a khyber over a karud, choora and pesh, all very different and distinguishable from each other. There are some examples which blur the lines but they are exceptions.

[Tim Simmons]

That ivory Choora does not look like any elephant ivory I have. Hippo along with other animal ivory does not have the matrix which one can clearly see in elephant ivory. The handle bits look to be bone with the brown blood vessels showing, the handle butt I am not so sure about. If it has not got signs of an inner matrix then it might possibly be marine ivory, Whale tooth like Hippo no matrix. When you consider the trade in whale based commodities turning up anywhere in the world should be no surprise, like mobile phones.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

That ivory Choora does not look like any elephant ivory I have. Hippo along with other animal ivory does not have the matrix which one can clearly see in elephant ivory. The handle bits look to be bone with the brown blood vessels showing, the handle butt I am not so sure about. If it has not got signs of an inner matrix then it might possibly be marine ivory, Whale tooth like Hippo no matrix. When you consider the trade in whale based commodities turning up anywhere in the world should be no surprise, like mobile phones.

Tim, you bring up an interesting point, ivory comes from several different animals and often when a weapon that has ivory in it is sold the exact origin of the ivory is not stated.

"Ivory" describes any mammalian teeth or tusks which are large enough to be carved or scrimshawed. Elephant ivory is the most important source, but ivory from mammoth, walrus, hippopotamus, sperm whale, killer whale, narwhal and wart hog are used as well, Elk also have two ivory teeth.

[harrywagner]

Originally Posted by estcrh

One more comparison showing a khyber over a karud, choora and pesh, all very different and distinguishable from each other. There are some examples which blur the lines but they are exceptions.

Excellent example. Thanks much.

[ariel]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

This is very interesting information! So perhaps the correct spelling would be "CHORA" and not Choora.

Chora is also the name of a district in Uruzgan province of Afghanistan and it appears logical to name a knife after the area from where it originates (like the "Khyber knife").

Let' s not get hung on homophonic names.
I spoke with my fellow who is from Pakistan, Pakhtunkhwa, border with Afghanistan. He is fluent in Urdu and Pashto. Choora is just a "knife", churri is just a "small knife". Nothing in common with a wedding bangle or a district in Afghanistan. California has nothing in common with Caliphate. "Khyber knife" is not a native name: the Brits introduced it. All native homophonic words need to be analyzed through their native spelling, and not how they were transcribed in English.

[harrywagner]

Thanks everyone for the interesting comments and discussion. I am going to catalog this piece as have two small round BONE inserts in the pommel.

A learned colleague told me to be careful about using the word "Choora". Now I understand what he meant.

[Tim Simmons]

Yes chill out to Dr John Shoo Ra.