Khyber Knife / Hilt Material?

taube · 27th June 2016, 08:36 AM

Gents,

here is a Khyber knife that I received from a forum member - Thanks again!
I have tried to determine the hilt material but am still uncertain.
The hot needle method did not really work.
It is probably a matter of experience to tell the difference between bone and ivory?
Thanks for any advice!

Best,
taube.

taube · 27th June 2016, 08:38 AM

More photos.

Sajen · 27th June 2016, 10:47 AM

Hi Taube,

the handle seems to be from bone, maybe camel bone, you can see it in up by the porousness. Nice Khyber knife!

Best regards,
Detlef

mariusgmioc · 27th June 2016, 11:38 AM

I would try to clean & polish the hilt, then have a much clearer picture.

From what you posted, I tend to agree with Detlef. So I think it is bone.

Ian · 27th June 2016, 12:17 PM

Agree with the two earlier posts--bone.

Ian

ariel · 27th June 2016, 01:17 PM

Bone.
First, at the top of the pommel you can see the inner structure of the long bone: that's where the bone marrow resides.
Second, you can see short dark lines at the surface: periosteal blood vessels.

I think it is a later one, end of 19 to first half of 20 century: chape looks very "regulation-like"

27th June 2016, 08:36 AM	#1
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Khyber Knife / Hilt Material? Gents, here is a Khyber knife that I received from a forum member - Thanks again! I have tried to determine the hilt material but am still uncertain. The hot needle method did not really work. It is probably a matter of experience to tell the difference between bone and ivory? Thanks for any advice! Best, taube. Attached Images

27th June 2016, 08:38 AM	#2
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	More photos. Attached Images Last edited by taube; 27th June 2016 at 08:49 AM.

27th June 2016, 10:47 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,408	Hi Taube, the handle seems to be from bone, maybe camel bone, you can see it in up by the porousness. Nice Khyber knife! Best regards, Detlef

27th June 2016, 11:38 AM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	I would try to clean & polish the hilt, then have a much clearer picture. From what you posted, I tend to agree with Detlef. So I think it is bone.

27th June 2016, 12:17 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,509	Agree with the two earlier posts--bone. Ian

27th June 2016, 01:17 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Bone. First, at the top of the pommel you can see the inner structure of the long bone: that's where the bone marrow resides. Second, you can see short dark lines at the surface: periosteal blood vessels. I think it is a later one, end of 19 to first half of 20 century: chape looks very "regulation-like"