Interesting tribal knife

not2sharp · 25th February 2006, 11:33 PM

This one was supposedly collected recently in Afghanistan. It represents an interesting clash of technology. The knife is crude and appears entirely fabricated under very primative conditions; but the materials themselves are a different story. The handle and guard looks to be carved from a massive and solid block of high density brown plastic, perhaps electrical insulating material at least 3/4-inch thick. The decorative bands and copper rivets were probably once electrical components as well.

Have anyone come across other similar examples?

n2s

Tim Simmons · 26th February 2006, 12:09 PM

Very interesting and not unattractive, it has a strong and confident finish, what a shame there is no scabbard to add its information. I would say this was well made and not something the maker has done just the once. To me the blade could very easily be African. There was a knife on ebay recently with the same lazy "S" shaped guard. It to was said to hail from Afghanistan, however the handle was made of that horn and metal/other materials layers very often seen in the North and NE Africa and Yemen, bit of a mystery? I think this another, could you made anything as good denied of your wealth education and equipment just down the road in a shop. I like it. Tim

Tim Simmons · 1st March 2006, 09:51 PM

I found the picture of the knife that was on ebay. Note the shape of the guard. Tim.

not2sharp · 3rd March 2006, 07:57 AM

Tim,

That last one reminds me of this one. It is an old Jambiya from my collection.

n2s

25th February 2006, 11:33 PM	#1
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Interesting tribal knife This one was supposedly collected recently in Afghanistan. It represents an interesting clash of technology. The knife is crude and appears entirely fabricated under very primative conditions; but the materials themselves are a different story. The handle and guard looks to be carved from a massive and solid block of high density brown plastic, perhaps electrical insulating material at least 3/4-inch thick. The decorative bands and copper rivets were probably once electrical components as well. Have anyone come across other similar examples? n2s Attached Images

26th February 2006, 12:09 PM	#2
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	Very interesting and not unattractive, it has a strong and confident finish, what a shame there is no scabbard to add its information. I would say this was well made and not something the maker has done just the once. To me the blade could very easily be African. There was a knife on ebay recently with the same lazy "S" shaped guard. It to was said to hail from Afghanistan, however the handle was made of that horn and metal/other materials layers very often seen in the North and NE Africa and Yemen, bit of a mystery? I think this another, could you made anything as good denied of your wealth education and equipment just down the road in a shop. I like it. Tim Last edited by Tim Simmons; 26th February 2006 at 06:04 PM.

1st March 2006, 09:51 PM	#3
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,807	I found the picture of the knife that was on ebay. Note the shape of the guard. Tim.

3rd March 2006, 07:57 AM	#4
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Tim, That last one reminds me of this one. It is an old Jambiya from my collection. n2s