a shibriya knife maybe?

kronckew · 1st November 2022, 09:18 AM

A Syrian Jambiyah rather than a saibriyah, I would think. Needs a bit of TLC.

The shabriyahs have a different recurved blade shape like this one of mine with a 6 in. blade:
(they come in a variety of sizes too, Jordanian Camel Corps carry fairly large ones)

A.alnakkas · 1st November 2022, 11:43 AM

Jambiya or Janbiya is a southern term. In the levant the term was not in use for such daggers which was used commonly there beyond the Druze. There are various production centers with their distinct styles; such as cylindrical hilts or more squared ones. Blade types vary as well and are imported to other cities which makes it difficult to pinpoint an actual location.

broadaxe · 5th November 2022, 12:47 PM

The common term is "khanjar" (dagger), and as Mr. Alnakkas pointed out, hard to determine exact origin. This one seems more general-Syrian rather Majdali.

kronckew · 7th November 2022, 08:55 PM

I agree, the Syrians seem to like their hilts inlayed with rings of brightly and differently coloured stone. A bit too garish for my taste.

A Syrian khanjar: (NOT mine) similar hilt, bit better condition.

Kmaddock · 7th November 2022, 09:22 PM

Thanks all for your knowledge,
I should have the knife this week all going well and I will be able to se if any more information can be gleaned
Regards
Ken

ariel · 8th November 2022, 12:40 AM

This is a typical knife from Madjal Shams. This Druze village ( small town, really) was the exclusive producer of these knives for a very long time. In 1967, as a result of the Six Days War Israel captured the Golan Heights and four Druze villages, Madjal Shams included, fell under Israeli control.

From there on, Madjali knifemakers could not sell their knives to other Arab countries. Using this opportunity, many Syrian and Lebanese workshops were established and started producing their copies of Madjali knives.

Kmaddock's knife is quite old ( my guess late 19th-early 20th century), which by definition puts it into the " Real Madjali Druze" category. Good catch!

New " Madjali-like" knives are not real Druze, but Syrian/Lebanese mass produced copies.

I have a short saber of the Ottoman era with European blade and fully intact Madjali handle. The only Druze sword I have ever seen.

motan · 10th November 2022, 03:47 PM

Joined this one late, so I don't have much to add. Syrian?-yes, Majdali?-yes, made in Majdal Shams?-probably, old?-probably around 1920-30.
Unfortunately, the condition does not necessarily mean age.

I disagree with Ariel though. The oldest types were made in Majdal Shams (most probably), but other styles and and production centers are earlier than 1967. During the great Syrian (Druze) revolt, many militant Druze found shelter in Majdal Shams and purged the Christian families from the village. Some of these were dagger makers and they moved to other parts of Syria.

1st November 2022, 09:18 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	A Syrian Jambiyah rather than a saibriyah, I would think. Needs a bit of TLC. The shabriyahs have a different recurved blade shape like this one of mine with a 6 in. blade: (they come in a variety of sizes too, Jordanian Camel Corps carry fairly large ones) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 1st November 2022 at 10:52 AM.

7th November 2022, 08:55 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,215	I agree, the Syrians seem to like their hilts inlayed with rings of brightly and differently coloured stone. A bit too garish for my taste. A Syrian khanjar: (NOT mine) similar hilt, bit better condition. Attached Images

1st November 2022, 11:43 AM	#2
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Jambiya or Janbiya is a southern term. In the levant the term was not in use for such daggers which was used commonly there beyond the Druze. There are various production centers with their distinct styles; such as cylindrical hilts or more squared ones. Blade types vary as well and are imported to other cities which makes it difficult to pinpoint an actual location.

5th November 2022, 12:47 PM	#3
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 334	The common term is "khanjar" (dagger), and as Mr. Alnakkas pointed out, hard to determine exact origin. This one seems more general-Syrian rather Majdali.

7th November 2022, 09:22 PM	#5
Kmaddock Member Join Date: May 2014 Location: Ireland Posts: 543	Thanks all for your knowledge, I should have the knife this week all going well and I will be able to se if any more information can be gleaned Regards Ken

8th November 2022, 12:40 AM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This is a typical knife from Madjal Shams. This Druze village ( small town, really) was the exclusive producer of these knives for a very long time. In 1967, as a result of the Six Days War Israel captured the Golan Heights and four Druze villages, Madjal Shams included, fell under Israeli control. From there on, Madjali knifemakers could not sell their knives to other Arab countries. Using this opportunity, many Syrian and Lebanese workshops were established and started producing their copies of Madjali knives. Kmaddock's knife is quite old ( my guess late 19th-early 20th century), which by definition puts it into the " Real Madjali Druze" category. Good catch! New " Madjali-like" knives are not real Druze, but Syrian/Lebanese mass produced copies. I have a short saber of the Ottoman era with European blade and fully intact Madjali handle. The only Druze sword I have ever seen.

10th November 2022, 03:47 PM	#7
motan Member Join Date: Apr 2016 Location: Jerusalem Posts: 274	Joined this one late, so I don't have much to add. Syrian?-yes, Majdali?-yes, made in Majdal Shams?-probably, old?-probably around 1920-30. Unfortunately, the condition does not necessarily mean age. I disagree with Ariel though. The oldest types were made in Majdal Shams (most probably), but other styles and and production centers are earlier than 1967. During the great Syrian (Druze) revolt, many militant Druze found shelter in Majdal Shams and purged the Christian families from the village. Some of these were dagger makers and they moved to other parts of Syria.