Arabic....North African curved dagger...comments / help

Emanuel · 10th June 2006, 11:34 PM

Hello Katana,
I would think that a 4mm blade can be useful in a fight, but then again I know very little about it. Your nimcha is definitely not a toy like mine, but I wonder how it would be used. Does one stab or slash with it? And what effect do the incisions on the spine have on cutting? How does it feel in-hand? Is the large hilt helpful or a nuisance? Mine is ridiculously large and useless, but yours may be functional.
Let's say it is the old, genuine ceremonial/wedding nimcha like VANDOO says, and leave it at that, because I really have no idea if you can fight with it or not

I'll keep my eye out for any more info on these daggers, but I think yours is a pretty good example.
Emanuel

Michael Blalock · 11th June 2006, 02:25 AM

My daughter spent last summer living with a Berber family in a small village in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. She described a ceremony in the village where all the men wore daggers, played drums and danced. At no other time did she see any daggers worn. She told me their daggers were similar to the couple of Khoumiyas I own. Perhaps these ritual dances explain the preponderance of non-functional styles of knifes from Morocco. I would ask her more but she's in Ecuador this summer where I'll be visiting her in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any ethnographic weapons available there.

katana · 11th June 2006, 10:46 AM

Thankyou all for your input

, I have taken a risk and completed the transaction on this dagger. Once I receive it ( will probably take up to 2 weeks, as its coming from the US), I will be able to assess this dagger's potential ....or lack of it.
I am hopeful that the blade is indeed functional or of a quality similar to the Oriental Arms version posted by ErnestoJuan.

katana · 17th June 2006, 11:59 AM

Dagger arrived today, and I'm very pleased with it. The blade's spine is indeed 4mm and distally tapers to 1.5 mm. The blade is relatively sharp, noticeably more so on the apex of the curve. It suggests that it could be used with a 'slashing' type strike or with a stabbing action. The blade had some sort of green waxy material on it which was easily cleaned off to expose a very clean, shiny blade.
The handle is hand carved with thin inlays of metal which emphasize the carved pattern. Wear patina on the handle suggests use. The guard is not flimsy or springy and would definately give good protection.
The dagger handles well , in a stabbing or slashing action.
The brass work has alot of oxidation, very dark in some areas.

IMHO this is a fully functioning weapon, I can only assume that this is not a 'Wedding Nimcha'............

.......therefore.. it must be a 'Divorce Nimcha'......you could certainly cut all ties with this......

Any ideas or comments, please gentlemen

Tim Simmons · 17th June 2006, 05:25 PM

With a 4mm spine it sounds very functional. A great many of these are not very nice and people are put off, well done you for picking a good one. I think my flissa has very similar patterns on the scabbard.

katana · 17th June 2006, 05:32 PM

Thanks Tim, I am really pleased with it.

The carving is of good quality too.
It seems to have a nice balance between ornateness (if theres such a word) and functionality.

katana · 18th June 2006, 01:40 PM

Now I've a problem, it's not a bazaar knife or a 'wedding Nimcha'. Its functional and well made, it has age .......so what is it

It can't be unique, has anyone any ideas as to origin, now the functionality of this knife is confirmed....please

10th June 2006, 11:34 PM	#1
Emanuel Member Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Toronto, Canada Posts: 1,242	Hello Katana, I would think that a 4mm blade can be useful in a fight, but then again I know very little about it. Your nimcha is definitely not a toy like mine, but I wonder how it would be used. Does one stab or slash with it? And what effect do the incisions on the spine have on cutting? How does it feel in-hand? Is the large hilt helpful or a nuisance? Mine is ridiculously large and useless, but yours may be functional. Let's say it is the old, genuine ceremonial/wedding nimcha like VANDOO says, and leave it at that, because I really have no idea if you can fight with it or not I'll keep my eye out for any more info on these daggers, but I think yours is a pretty good example. Emanuel

11th June 2006, 02:25 AM	#2
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	My daughter spent last summer living with a Berber family in a small village in the Atlas mountains of Morocco. She described a ceremony in the village where all the men wore daggers, played drums and danced. At no other time did she see any daggers worn. She told me their daggers were similar to the couple of Khoumiyas I own. Perhaps these ritual dances explain the preponderance of non-functional styles of knifes from Morocco. I would ask her more but she's in Ecuador this summer where I'll be visiting her in a couple of weeks. Unfortunately, I don't think there are any ethnographic weapons available there.

11th June 2006, 10:46 AM	#3
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thankyou all for your input , I have taken a risk and completed the transaction on this dagger. Once I receive it ( will probably take up to 2 weeks, as its coming from the US), I will be able to assess this dagger's potential ....or lack of it. I am hopeful that the blade is indeed functional or of a quality similar to the Oriental Arms version posted by ErnestoJuan.

17th June 2006, 11:59 AM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Dagger arrived today, and I'm very pleased with it. The blade's spine is indeed 4mm and distally tapers to 1.5 mm. The blade is relatively sharp, noticeably more so on the apex of the curve. It suggests that it could be used with a 'slashing' type strike or with a stabbing action. The blade had some sort of green waxy material on it which was easily cleaned off to expose a very clean, shiny blade. The handle is hand carved with thin inlays of metal which emphasize the carved pattern. Wear patina on the handle suggests use. The guard is not flimsy or springy and would definately give good protection. The dagger handles well , in a stabbing or slashing action. The brass work has alot of oxidation, very dark in some areas. IMHO this is a fully functioning weapon, I can only assume that this is not a 'Wedding Nimcha'............ .......therefore.. it must be a 'Divorce Nimcha'......you could certainly cut all ties with this...... Any ideas or comments, please gentlemen

17th June 2006, 05:25 PM	#5
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,843	With a 4mm spine it sounds very functional. A great many of these are not very nice and people are put off, well done you for picking a good one. I think my flissa has very similar patterns on the scabbard.

17th June 2006, 05:32 PM	#6
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thanks Tim, I am really pleased with it. The carving is of good quality too. It seems to have a nice balance between ornateness (if theres such a word) and functionality.

18th June 2006, 01:40 PM	#7
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Now I've a problem, it's not a bazaar knife or a 'wedding Nimcha'. Its functional and well made, it has age .......so what is it It can't be unique, has anyone any ideas as to origin, now the functionality of this knife is confirmed....please