help on identifying missing spare part

gp · 8th May 2020, 09:38 PM

kindly requested to advise on this Ottoman dagger from the Balkans.
The handle has one hole and a hollowing on one side.
My question: what was originally placed there?

Yvain · 9th May 2020, 06:36 PM

The hole is usual on this type of knife (most likely to tie it to the sheath), the hollowing looks like there was not enough material on the piece of horn that was used for the handle.

Also, this is not an Ottoman dagger from the Balkans, it's a khodmi knife from Algeria.

kronckew · 9th May 2020, 07:25 PM

Yes, it's a Bou Saadi made khodmi from Algeria, badly re-wound with oversized wire. Can't see anything missing. Nice Utility knives, also often still sold in Europe as 'Medieval eating knives' - which they aren't.. Note the spine notch at the tip is deliberate. Most have them. Why? Nobody knows. Hole for a thong, hollowing is likely just the part of the bone used for the grip where the marrow was in life.

Mine:

Kubur · 9th May 2020, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gp

My question: what was originally placed there?

Sometimes a picture is better than an explanation...

gp · 9th May 2020, 08:12 PM

Thnx a lot, merci beaucoup ! Highly appreciate this swift reply and feedback.
Although it was sold as traditional Ottoman knife from the Balkans:
lessons learned and no use crying over spilled milk! ☺

gp · 9th May 2020, 08:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

Sometimes a picture is better than an explanation...

indeed it is, much obliged !

Rich · 9th May 2020, 11:03 PM

Some lovely khodmi. I have 4 in my meager collection. One had a blade with several nicks in it, so I lightly sharpened it to remove the nicks, but no other cleaning. I don't know what steel they used on the old ones, but it takes an extremely sharp edge. Nothing "primitive" or "crude" about them. Just darn good knives by any term.

Rich

8th May 2020, 09:38 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 719	help on identifying missing spare part kindly requested to advise on this Ottoman dagger from the Balkans. The handle has one hole and a hollowing on one side. My question: what was originally placed there? Attached Images

9th May 2020, 07:25 PM	#3
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,184	Yes, it's a Bou Saadi made khodmi from Algeria, badly re-wound with oversized wire. Can't see anything missing. Nice Utility knives, also often still sold in Europe as 'Medieval eating knives' - which they aren't.. Note the spine notch at the tip is deliberate. Most have them. Why? Nobody knows. Hole for a thong, hollowing is likely just the part of the bone used for the grip where the marrow was in life. Mine: Attached Images

9th May 2020, 08:12 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 719	Thnx a lot, merci beaucoup ! Highly appreciate this swift reply and feedback. Although it was sold as traditional Ottoman knife from the Balkans: lessons learned and no use crying over spilled milk! ☺ Last edited by gp; 10th May 2020 at 12:07 AM.

9th May 2020, 06:36 PM	#2
Yvain Member Join Date: May 2017 Location: France Posts: 178	The hole is usual on this type of knife (most likely to tie it to the sheath), the hollowing looks like there was not enough material on the piece of horn that was used for the handle. Also, this is not an Ottoman dagger from the Balkans, it's a khodmi knife from Algeria.

9th May 2020, 11:03 PM	#7
Rich Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: comfortably at home, USA Posts: 432	Some lovely khodmi. I have 4 in my meager collection. One had a blade with several nicks in it, so I lightly sharpened it to remove the nicks, but no other cleaning. I don't know what steel they used on the old ones, but it takes an extremely sharp edge. Nothing "primitive" or "crude" about them. Just darn good knives by any term. Rich