Yemenite jambiya khanjar

fernando · 18th November 2016, 12:25 PM

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 · 18th November 2016, 01:50 PM

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 !!

Roland_M · 18th November 2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 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 !!

One possibility could be Giraffe hoof.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10109

Roland

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th November 2016, 12:13 PM

This is a cow horn hilt. The scabbard is new (nothing wrong with that as they fell apart usually scabbard first)..It is said that blades were imported from Germany and elsewhere although stories circulate that meteorite ore was used in locally made finer blades. Better quality blades are not joined like this, however, it is difficult to prove ..I have a dozen blades at any one time at the workshop but they are neither stamped nor are two the same. I think some came from Baluchistan and others from Persia as well as imports through trade from German sources and locally made items from wandering craftsmen such as the Zutoot in Oman before 1970.

Since this is a cow horn hilt it almost inevitably downgrades the dagger to tourist status...confirmed in the low grade blade and new scabbard of standard type and quality. Most Yemeni daggers were mounted on Rhino hilts...except cheaper items for the tourist market. The furniture on this weapon is low grade silver with a high other metals content typical after 1948 when the expert Jewish craftsmen left.

ariel · 30th November 2016, 05:41 PM

My guess is that Yemeni jambiyas ceased to be a weapon long ago and became just a customary part of male costume.

Thus, blade quality is no longer a necessary attribute. In any case, nobody pulls it out from the scabbard anyway.

francantolin · 30th November 2016, 05:54 PM

Thank's everybody for all precious comments !!

Aïee !! I thought the scabbard was made of with ''old'' silver mounts !

It was not too expensive so it's hopefully not too serious !!
That's life !

Kubur · 30th November 2016, 06:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

Thank's everybody for all precious comments !!

Aïee !! I thought the scabbard was made of with ''old'' silver mounts !

It was not too expensive so it's hopefully not too serious !!
That's life !

The Silver tarnishes quickly.
One good trick is to look at the leather on the scabbard.
This one is very recent.

Kubur · 30th November 2016, 05:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

This is a cow horn hilt.

No it's wood.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Most Yemeni daggers were mounted on Rhino hilts...except cheaper items for the tourist market.

Not true at all, for past and present.

18th November 2016, 12:25 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	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.

18th November 2016, 01:50 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	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 !!

30th November 2016, 12:13 PM	#4
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This is a cow horn hilt. The scabbard is new (nothing wrong with that as they fell apart usually scabbard first)..It is said that blades were imported from Germany and elsewhere although stories circulate that meteorite ore was used in locally made finer blades. Better quality blades are not joined like this, however, it is difficult to prove ..I have a dozen blades at any one time at the workshop but they are neither stamped nor are two the same. I think some came from Baluchistan and others from Persia as well as imports through trade from German sources and locally made items from wandering craftsmen such as the Zutoot in Oman before 1970. Since this is a cow horn hilt it almost inevitably downgrades the dagger to tourist status...confirmed in the low grade blade and new scabbard of standard type and quality. Most Yemeni daggers were mounted on Rhino hilts...except cheaper items for the tourist market. The furniture on this weapon is low grade silver with a high other metals content typical after 1948 when the expert Jewish craftsmen left.

30th November 2016, 05:41 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	My guess is that Yemeni jambiyas ceased to be a weapon long ago and became just a customary part of male costume. Thus, blade quality is no longer a necessary attribute. In any case, nobody pulls it out from the scabbard anyway.

30th November 2016, 05:54 PM	#6
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	Thank's everybody for all precious comments !! Aïee !! I thought the scabbard was made of with ''old'' silver mounts ! It was not too expensive so it's hopefully not too serious !! That's life !