Pesh Kabz

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by estcrh

In my opinion this is a completely modern made example, while it does not strictly adhere to the original methods it is a beautiful pesh. It is good to see that somewere there exists the ability to still create something nice.

I have been looking for a couple of years for an Indian workshop/swordsmith capable of making something like this, without success.

Maybe you can suggest one such place because I would definitely want to get a Pesh like this one.

But then, if it were modern or at least recent production, shouldn't we be able to find more such exquisite pieces readily available for sale?! Because if you look at the pieces of recent production, you won't find anything like this.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

I have been looking for a couple of years for an Indian workshop/swordsmith capable of making something like this, without success.

Maybe you can suggest one such place because I would definitely want to get a Pesh like this one.

But then, if it were modern or at least recent production, shouldn't we be able to find more such exquisite pieces readily available for sale?! Because if you look at the pieces of recent production, you won't find anything like this.

I have read that there are some craftsmen in India who can still produce high level work, the kind that we would like to own even if completely new, I have also heard that this work is extremely expensive and time consuming, I would imagine that there is a waiting list and most pieces are sold before we would ever see them.

Here is an example made by an Indian named "Soni".
https://www.flickr.com/photos/379581...57621960200756
https://www.pinterest.com/sbikaner/fine-crafts/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmRoyXwlSDw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXnSWOujXyw

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by estcrh

I have read that there are some craftsmen in India who can still produce high level work, the kind that we would like to own even if completely new, I have also heard that this work is extremely expensive and time consuming, I would imagine that there is a waiting list and most pieces are sold before we would ever see them.

Here is an example made by an Indian named "Soni".
https://www.flickr.com/photos/379581...57621960200756
https://www.pinterest.com/sbikaner/fine-crafts/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qmRoyXwlSDw
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VXnSWOujXyw

Thank you very much for the info!

I know there are exceptional craftsmen in India that can produce exceptional work. Just didn't find myself, any.

And didn't see any nicely chiseled blades coming out of their recent production either.

However, I keep looking!

As with regards to the "Mughal" Khanjar in your photos... I guess it's an antique Persian wootz blade with a new Indian Mughal style hilt.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

As with regards to the "Mughal" Khanjar in your photos... I guess it's an antique Persian wootz blade with a new Indian Mughal style hilt.

About the blade "Blade is not newly made... it is vintage wootz"....whatever vintage wootz means.

[AkaaliSingh]

How can one tell the difference between glass or crystal on handles? This boggles my mind :s The blade here looks to be pattern welded?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by AkaaliSingh

How can one tell the difference between glass or crystal on handles? This boggles my mind :s The blade here looks to be pattern welded?

Glass is homogeneous, crystal is not (meaning it has inclusions and some separation cracks between the crystalline planes) but NOT bubbles.

Glass on the other hand may show bubbles.

But for smaller pieces that is not always the case, as smaller pieces can be completely free from inclusions.

Another sign would be the way it lets the light pass through it. Under particular angles, under bright light, quartz will split the light and give a rainbow effect. Glass won't show this as it is amorphous and lets the light pass the same way no matter what angle.

But it is not easy.

There are other methods like measuring the electric conductivity (glass is excellent insulator, quartz is electric conductive), thermal conductivity, etc. But these methods need special measuring equipment.

Last, but not least there is the scratching test. Quartz is harder than glass so glass doesn't scratch quartz easily, while quartz scratches easily glass.

As with regards to the blade, the one of the Pesh-kabz is pattern welded and the one of the Khanjar is wootz.

[Tim Simmons]

I do not like it. I do not like the horns. They are weak in form and I do not believe any lapidist would do this, that is leave a gap between the head and horns. Besides that it lacks life for the effort. Sorry if I seem an old git.