AFGHAN KNIFE ?

Royston · 18th September 2012, 11:17 AM

I bought this at a fair last weekend.

O/A length 15 ins
Blade 10 1/2 ins.
Hilt is antler.
Scabbard is wood with 2 copper bands.

Very heavy T-shaped bade.
My first thought was that it is a cut down Khyber knife, but I think the spine is too curved for that so I am going to say that it was made this way. I am still proposing Afghan until someone corrects me

I have never seen one like this before.
Anyone got a suggestion on origin or something like it ?

Regards
Roy

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 18th September 2012, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Royston

I bought this at a fair last weekend.

O/A length 15 ins
Blade 10 1/2 ins.
Hilt is antler.
Scabbard is wood with 2 copper bands.

Very heavy T-shaped bade.
My first thought was that it is a cut down Khyber knife, but I think the spine is too curved for that so I am going to say that it was made this way. I am still proposing Afghan until someone corrects me

I have never seen one like this before.
Anyone got a suggestion on origin or something like it ?

Regards
Roy

Salaams~ Looks Indian methinks. South India. Going towards Piha Kaetta country...
Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi

ariel · 18th September 2012, 12:46 PM

Traditionally, it's called Kerala knife.

AJ1356 · 18th September 2012, 01:02 PM

It is newly made for the tourist market. This one seems to have been made with a little more care than most I have seen.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 19th September 2012, 06:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Traditionally, it's called Kerala knife.

Salaams Ariel ~ Thanks; I had forgotten the name ... I was just having breakfast is a Kerela restaurant here in Buraimi ... I should have known the name... Thanks.

After note please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=KERALA+KNIFE

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Royston · 19th September 2012, 02:55 PM

Thanks Gentlemen

This would appear to be it. I knew some of you would know what it is.

Regards
Roy

A.alnakkas · 19th September 2012, 03:10 PM

Yep, a decent Kerala knife but dont think its touristy. Looks like a real thing

Richard G · 19th September 2012, 06:08 PM

Hm, I'm still not so sure. I agree the blade has the profile of a Kerala knife, but does the hilt? Isn't this sort of cleft "pommel" associated either with somewhere like the Balkans or something derived from a shasqua.
Has anyone seen this type of hilt on a knife that is indisputably keralan? Otherwise I would suggest Afghanistan is still a possiblity, or even further north into the other Central Asian "...stans".
Regards
Richard
PS. the top ferrule also rather reminds me of those often found on the scabbards of kindjals.

Royston · 20th September 2012, 09:55 AM

Richard

You have a good point.

I have been looking through all my books and the web. As you say, all the Kerala knives have a prominently hooked / beaked pommel.

AJ - I disagree about it being newly made for the tourist market. I realise that it is not ancient, but it has some age about it. It is also well made, very heavy and solid, not something you normally associate with tourist items.

Regards
Roy

Jens Nordlunde · 20th September 2012, 09:33 PM

Ok, Richard is right.
This blade form may have been used in many places, like in Kerala, but this hilt form has nothing to do with this area - it is NW.
Jens

18th September 2012, 11:17 AM	#1
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	AFGHAN KNIFE ? I bought this at a fair last weekend. O/A length 15 ins Blade 10 1/2 ins. Hilt is antler. Scabbard is wood with 2 copper bands. Very heavy T-shaped bade. My first thought was that it is a cut down Khyber knife, but I think the spine is too curved for that so I am going to say that it was made this way. I am still proposing Afghan until someone corrects me I have never seen one like this before. Anyone got a suggestion on origin or something like it ? Regards Roy Attached Images

18th September 2012, 12:46 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Traditionally, it's called Kerala knife.

18th September 2012, 01:02 PM	#4
AJ1356 Member Join Date: Jul 2011 Location: Nashville Posts: 314	It is newly made for the tourist market. This one seems to have been made with a little more care than most I have seen.

19th September 2012, 02:55 PM	#6
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Thanks Gentlemen This would appear to be it. I knew some of you would know what it is. Regards Roy

19th September 2012, 03:10 PM	#7
A.alnakkas Member Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: Kuwait Posts: 1,340	Yep, a decent Kerala knife but dont think its touristy. Looks like a real thing

19th September 2012, 06:08 PM	#8
Richard G Member Join Date: Jan 2012 Posts: 405	Hm, I'm still not so sure. I agree the blade has the profile of a Kerala knife, but does the hilt? Isn't this sort of cleft "pommel" associated either with somewhere like the Balkans or something derived from a shasqua. Has anyone seen this type of hilt on a knife that is indisputably keralan? Otherwise I would suggest Afghanistan is still a possiblity, or even further north into the other Central Asian "...stans". Regards Richard PS. the top ferrule also rather reminds me of those often found on the scabbards of kindjals.

20th September 2012, 09:55 AM	#9
Royston Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Location: Poole England Posts: 443	Richard You have a good point. I have been looking through all my books and the web. As you say, all the Kerala knives have a prominently hooked / beaked pommel. AJ - I disagree about it being newly made for the tourist market. I realise that it is not ancient, but it has some age about it. It is also well made, very heavy and solid, not something you normally associate with tourist items. Regards Roy

20th September 2012, 09:33 PM	#10
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Ok, Richard is right. This blade form may have been used in many places, like in Kerala, but this hilt form has nothing to do with this area - it is NW. Jens