Yemeni Jambiya for restoration....but is it worth it?

katana · 23rd October 2007, 01:51 PM

Thank you all for your replies.

Robert and Fernando, amber was something I had not considered and could be a possibility. The seller describes the hilt as being 'some sort of bone'...but due to the colouration and 'apparent' translucence, assumed rhino a high possibility.

Hi Lew, thank you for the additional info, I agree totally that the silverwork on mine has less quality than the really nice examples you posted.

Hi Spiral, the pics do suggest that the blade is 'real' ( I do hope you are right) and it was this thought that I took the risk and bought it. I understand that a number of recent blades were made with two sheets of steel welded together (I assume that the central ridge contour is 'pressed' on each sheet and gives the illusion of a solid central spine when the two halves are joined)
Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'.

I will post a better description and pics when it arrives.

Kind Regards David

spiral · 23rd October 2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'.

I didnt say it didnt improve David, I said "Rhino horn can be translucent & bright in sunlight etc at any age."

With care & handling with clean hands it can get a better shine & patina. With unwashed hands it just goes brown & opaque.

But it can start out bright & translucent.

Look forward to the pics. That doesnt look a hollow blade.

Spiral

Lew · 23rd October 2007, 10:30 PM

Spiral

Are you suggesting that since my jambiya's rhino horn is dark and opaque that the original owner had dirty hands

.

Lew

spiral · 23rd October 2007, 10:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LOUIEBLADES

Spiral

Are you suggesting that since my jambiya's rhino horn is dark and opaque that the original owner had dirty hands

.

Lew

Only if it was translucent to begin with Lew!

It might just be dark & opaque rhino horn.

Spiral

katana · 26th October 2007, 02:13 PM

Dagger received today.......very disappointing

The Rhino / amber is in fact resin/plastic it has a grainy, marbled effect but was confirmed by the 'hot pin' test.

The blade.....is composed of two metal sheets

The 'patination' of the blade surface really looks convincing, I think, that perhaps the steel has a quantity of re-cycled metal of differing grades which adds to the illusion.

The 'silver' banding on the hilt (just before the blade) has partially loosened and I can see printed wording on the reverse side, looks like a section of a tin can coated with some dull, silvery material on the 'facing side'.

Who said "the camera never lies....."

Its a real shame (sham

), I was really looking forward to restoring this knife and scabbard ..... with no redeeming features it would be a complete waste of time and effort.

Hopefully, other formites will 'learn' from my mistake...

Never mind....... nothing ventured....nothing gained

Regards David

Battara · 26th October 2007, 06:46 PM

I'm so sorry you got screwed.

This happened to me in receiving a "yemeni jambiya". Was not pleased.

spiral · 26th October 2007, 06:56 PM

Thats a shame, Id have taken a chance on it as well if it was cheap...

Lots of them have plastic handles. Including most that are sold as amber.....

Buffalo horn is a lot more common than rhino as well.

Spiral

23rd October 2007, 01:51 PM	#1
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thank you all for your replies. Robert and Fernando, amber was something I had not considered and could be a possibility. The seller describes the hilt as being 'some sort of bone'...but due to the colouration and 'apparent' translucence, assumed rhino a high possibility. Hi Lew, thank you for the additional info, I agree totally that the silverwork on mine has less quality than the really nice examples you posted. Hi Spiral, the pics do suggest that the blade is 'real' ( I do hope you are right) and it was this thought that I took the risk and bought it. I understand that a number of recent blades were made with two sheets of steel welded together (I assume that the central ridge contour is 'pressed' on each sheet and gives the illusion of a solid central spine when the two halves are joined) Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'. I will post a better description and pics when it arrives. Kind Regards David

23rd October 2007, 10:30 PM	#3
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Spiral Are you suggesting that since my jambiya's rhino horn is dark and opaque that the original owner had dirty hands . Lew

26th October 2007, 02:13 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Dagger received today.......very disappointing The Rhino / amber is in fact resin/plastic it has a grainy, marbled effect but was confirmed by the 'hot pin' test. The blade.....is composed of two metal sheets The 'patination' of the blade surface really looks convincing, I think, that perhaps the steel has a quantity of re-cycled metal of differing grades which adds to the illusion. The 'silver' banding on the hilt (just before the blade) has partially loosened and I can see printed wording on the reverse side, looks like a section of a tin can coated with some dull, silvery material on the 'facing side'. Who said "the camera never lies....." Its a real shame (sham ), I was really looking forward to restoring this knife and scabbard ..... with no redeeming features it would be a complete waste of time and effort. Hopefully, other formites will 'learn' from my mistake... Never mind....... nothing ventured....nothing gained Regards David

26th October 2007, 06:46 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,325	I'm so sorry you got screwed. This happened to me in receiving a "yemeni jambiya". Was not pleased.

26th October 2007, 06:56 PM	#7
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Thats a shame, Id have taken a chance on it as well if it was cheap... Lots of them have plastic handles. Including most that are sold as amber..... Buffalo horn is a lot more common than rhino as well. Spiral