27th April 2012, 07:01 PM | #1 |
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Mystery dagger
I just picked this up from Artzi over at Oriental Arms. I don't think it was displayed long enough anybody else to see it. He wasn't sure of what it was or where it was from, and neither am I. The binding on the sheath looks South Asian, the chip carving on the sheath looks like it's from the Balkans, the blade is well forged and nicely fullered, and I don't have the slightest idea of where it's from. Help! This forum is my only hope!
The blade does seem to have a slightly African form. It feels really good in the hand, an absolutely functional blade. |
27th April 2012, 07:50 PM | #2 |
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The scabbard is 100% from Nepal, the carved design is identical to that found on many wooden kukri & knife scabbards.
The blade could also be Nepali manufacture, looking at it. Ill dig out some photos.... Spiral Edited for pic. Heres one of Dereks kuks over at IKRHS. Last edited by spiral; 27th April 2012 at 07:57 PM. Reason: photos.. |
27th April 2012, 08:23 PM | #3 |
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you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?
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27th April 2012, 10:41 PM | #4 |
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It's absolutly not African. The forme of the blade look like Hausa, but the work is very different.
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27th April 2012, 11:28 PM | #5 | |
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Artzi has had many Nepalese kukri & knives over the years with identicaly carved scabbards,{ I bought one of him about 9 years ago.} So it might be worth asking what he thinks about it, Hes seen so much after all. Spiral |
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28th April 2012, 01:25 AM | #6 |
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So your the one who beat to the punch . Definately from Nepal probably second half of the 20th century.
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28th April 2012, 07:12 AM | #7 |
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yeah, I like unusual things. It popped up and I hesitated... for a few hours. It's a very unusual design; it also reminds me of a keris buda. Do you think an etch would reveal something?
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28th April 2012, 10:13 AM | #8 |
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Indeed Lew!
Etching will reveal something, what though is another questian! Probably mono steel hopefully differentialy tempered, but in Nepal one never truly knows, if made from recycled steel it could be anything... A light etch will reveal all & can be easily polished out again, if required.. Spiral |
22nd May 2012, 06:06 PM | #9 |
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Etching might reveal some nice "jelly roll" pattern welded damascus which is quite specific of Nepal blades...
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22nd May 2012, 08:40 PM | #10 | |
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I think with a little study you will find, "jelly roll" as you call it is typicaly Tibetan. Ive seen a few "hairpin" kukri , but never anything Nepali style with "jelly roll" Have you an example? It would be interesting to see. Spiral |
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22nd May 2012, 11:08 PM | #11 | |
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Regards, Bernard |
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22nd May 2012, 11:27 PM | #12 |
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Cheers Bernard, I must admit Id love to see a kukri with "jelly roll" one day
spiral |
23rd May 2012, 10:51 PM | #13 | |
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