Greek (?) Knife for ID and Comments

TVV · 8th September 2013, 07:20 PM

Here are pictures of a knife that belongs to a friend of mine. He thinks it may be from the Western Balkans. I am leaning towards Greece or Asia Minor. It is in rough shape (it looks like it may have been dug up), but the blade is made of sham.

What are your thoughts?

Thank you,
Teodor

VANDOO · 30th October 2013, 09:09 PM

I JUST RAN ACROSS THIS WHILE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND AS IT HAD NO REPLYS DECIDED TO MAKE A COMMENT. IT IS AN INTERESTING KNIFE BUT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS FOR ME.
1. DO YOU MEAN THE BLADE IS MADE OF SOME SORT OF POT METAL AND NOT FOR ACTUAL USE? "BLADE IS MADE OF SHAM"
2. IS THE HANDLE MADE FROM SOME RESIN OR MAN MADE SUBSTANCE AS WELL OR IS IT ANTLER, IVORY OR A NATURAL MATERIAL.?
3. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE KNIFE?
WHEN A KNIFE IS NOT MADE FOR USE IT IS USUALLY MADE FOR THEATRICAL USE, DRESS ONLY OR AS A SOUVINEER/ WALL HANGER OR LETTER OPENER. NOT A ETHINOGRAPHIC WEAPON BUT PERHAPS AN ETHINOGRAPHIC SOUVINEER.

WELL THAT SHOWS HOW MUCH I KNOW ABOUT WOOTZ

THE ODD LOOK TO THE BLADE EDGES WHERE IT WAS CHIPPED AND BLACK AND THE WORD SHAM MADE ME REASON IF ITS A POOR QUALITY BLADE THEN IT IS LIKELY ALL FITTINGS WOULD BE CORESPONDINGLY POOR AND IT WOULD SERVE SOME OTHER PURPOSE THAN A WEAPON OR EVEN A KNIFE. I AM GLAD TO FIND OUT OTHERWISE.

TVV · 31st October 2013, 01:18 AM

Sham as used in these forums refers to a type of low contrast wootz.

Teodor

Battara · 31st October 2013, 01:45 AM

The blade looks honest and true to me. I see a ladder pattern to the wootz.

TVV · 3rd November 2013, 08:14 PM

The hilt is made of bone or antler, and the length is 37cm.

Regards,
Teodor

8th September 2013, 07:20 PM	#1
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Greek (?) Knife for ID and Comments Here are pictures of a knife that belongs to a friend of mine. He thinks it may be from the Western Balkans. I am leaning towards Greece or Asia Minor. It is in rough shape (it looks like it may have been dug up), but the blade is made of sham. What are your thoughts? Thank you, Teodor Attached Images

30th October 2013, 09:09 PM	#2
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	I JUST RAN ACROSS THIS WHILE LOOKING FOR SOMETHING ELSE AND AS IT HAD NO REPLYS DECIDED TO MAKE A COMMENT. IT IS AN INTERESTING KNIFE BUT RAISES MORE QUESTIONS THAN ANSWERS FOR ME. 1. DO YOU MEAN THE BLADE IS MADE OF SOME SORT OF POT METAL AND NOT FOR ACTUAL USE? "BLADE IS MADE OF SHAM" 2. IS THE HANDLE MADE FROM SOME RESIN OR MAN MADE SUBSTANCE AS WELL OR IS IT ANTLER, IVORY OR A NATURAL MATERIAL.? 3. WHAT IS THE SIZE OF THE KNIFE? WHEN A KNIFE IS NOT MADE FOR USE IT IS USUALLY MADE FOR THEATRICAL USE, DRESS ONLY OR AS A SOUVINEER/ WALL HANGER OR LETTER OPENER. NOT A ETHINOGRAPHIC WEAPON BUT PERHAPS AN ETHINOGRAPHIC SOUVINEER. WELL THAT SHOWS HOW MUCH I KNOW ABOUT WOOTZ THE ODD LOOK TO THE BLADE EDGES WHERE IT WAS CHIPPED AND BLACK AND THE WORD SHAM MADE ME REASON IF ITS A POOR QUALITY BLADE THEN IT IS LIKELY ALL FITTINGS WOULD BE CORESPONDINGLY POOR AND IT WOULD SERVE SOME OTHER PURPOSE THAN A WEAPON OR EVEN A KNIFE. I AM GLAD TO FIND OUT OTHERWISE. Last edited by VANDOO; 31st October 2013 at 01:59 AM.

31st October 2013, 01:18 AM	#3
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	Sham as used in these forums refers to a type of low contrast wootz. Teodor

31st October 2013, 01:45 AM	#4
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,225	The blade looks honest and true to me. I see a ladder pattern to the wootz.

3rd November 2013, 08:14 PM	#5
TVV Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Bay Area Posts: 1,625	The hilt is made of bone or antler, and the length is 37cm. Regards, Teodor