Yemenite jambiya khanjar

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hello francantolin,

this is nothing compared to my Mekka-Jambiya. During the cleaning of the blade I found out, that the blade is hollow! "What a strange sound!?!" OMG, the blade consists of only two thin sheets of metal. That was an enormous shock. Now it "protects" the darkest corner in my basement.

Roland

Hello Roland,

Hollow blade Jambiya?!?!?! Wow! Never even thought it is possible!


It would be very interesting to see some photos... if it isn't too painful.

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Hello Roland,

Hollow blade Jambiya?!?!?! Wow! Never even thought it is possible!


It would be very interesting to see some photos... if it isn't too painful.

Hi Marius,

at the weekend I'm going to make some pictures for you. Yes it's hard for me but after a few years my heartache is tolerable when I see it.

My new old Zanzibar Sword in mint condition and the wonderful and extremely sharp Sikin Pasangan with Pedang blade are a very powerful cure!


Roland

[Saracen]

Originally Posted by Roland_M

Hi Marius,

at the weekend I'm going to make some pictures for you....

Roland

Я тоже был бы очень благодарен за фото

I, too, would be very grateful for a photo

[Battara]

On more recent jambiyas the blades are now made of 2 pieces of sheet metal welded together.

I also agree with the method of using a hot needle on a hidden part of the hilt to determine if it is plastic, which it does look like to me, but one can never be sure without testing.

[Sajen]

Not the area of my collecting but I doubt that it is a 19th century piece, sorry!

Regards,
Detlef

[Oriental-Arms]

Attached. Second half of the 20th C.

[mariusgmioc]

Thank you very much for the photos! Very interesting and educating!

[Saracen]

Спасибо за фото. В собранном виде виден ли шов на лезвии?

Thank you for the photo. The assembled if the seam on the blade is visible?

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

Helllo Roland,

Hollow blade Jambiya?!?!?! Wow! Never even thought it is possible!


It would be very interesting to see some photos... if it isn't too painful.

Hello Marius,

here it is, the hollow blade. Made from very thin steel or iron. Both partes of the blade are soldered together; and interestingly enough, the result got some sharpness.
I think it is a kind of souvenir for Mekka-pilgrims and maybe 50 or so years old.


Roland

[Bob A]

Roland, I feel your pain.

The level of detail that was evident on the sheath of your jambiyya would lead one to believe that a solid, forged blade would be the natural accompaniment.

[francantolin]

Sure !
It's crazy that people put such a poor blade with a nice quality scabbard and hilt.
For my ''horn'' hilt, I'll try the hot needle and tell you.

Kind regards

[Lee]

A most interesting discussion!

In cataloging Lew's collection I have come across a number of jambiyas that I suspect have these blades that are made from two stamped pieces of sheet metal fused together.

Some have hilts with surprisingly fine silver work. Also, sometimes the wood and leather of a very well fitting sheath show some definite aging.

I have been very curious to learn when this sort of blade was introduced and where they have been made (versus hilted).

[Roland_M]

Originally Posted by Bob A

Roland, I feel your pain.

The level of detail that was evident on the sheath of your jambiyya would lead one to believe that a solid, forged blade would be the natural accompaniment.

Bob, exactly that was my thought! My very first impression was "The Mr. photographer from the internet is really brilliant."

But yesterday I finished the first stage of my Sikin Pasangan-polishing and it was a feeling like in heaven, when the structures came through, absolutely incredible.
I really look forward to show it here in the forum, a great masterpiece.

The jambiya is at least an interessting oddity.


Roland

[mariusgmioc]

This is really astonishing! Wouldn't even have imagined that such a "marriage" is possible and definitely I would have never suspected anythig.

In fact, I believe Roland's example is a brilliant and very interesting piece in itself, exactly for this strange oddity.

So Roland, I don't think you should feel sorry about this, but keep this Jambiya as an example for the skill and creativity of the maker.

[fernando]

It looks as hilt/scabbard silver smiths proceeded with an attitude different than that of blade smiths. While the first kept their craft refined, the second departed for an easy job; assuming that hollow blades are not so hard to put up as real tempered solid ones. Also cultures were quite apart, the silver smiths being often Jews (Temani) and not allowed to forge blades ... so i heard. I know nothing of this subject but, i think hollow blades are definitely a declining resource; potentially newer than hilts and scabbards they are married with, when older age of the late is evident.

[francantolin]

I tested my hilt with the hot burning needle: no particular smell, the needle can't penetrate deep inside.
No plastic but not sure it's horn too !!

[DaveA]

One can learn a bit about the quality of a jambiya blade from Yemen by flicking a finger against the blade. A high pitched "tink!" is lesser quality. A deeper "thunk!" tells you it is better steel.

Or so I am told.

Best,

Dave A.