A Simple, Elegant All Wootz Steel Kard Dagger

[CharlesS]

While I am generally attracted to "bling" decorated ethnographic weapons, this simple kard dagger really caught my eye in Baltimore at the auction. The dagger is Indo-Persian and likely 19th century or perhaps a little earlier. The dagger is from two pieces of wootz steel, one making the blade and the other the hilt. The contrast of the wootz is quite dramatic.

I suspect the scabbard is later.

I may be rethinking my ideas about "blingy" weapons!

Dimensions: Overall 11.5in. Blade: 7.25in.

Comments and opinions welcomed.

[spiral]

Lovely!

A true example that The very best quality requires no bling..

Spiral

[ALEX]

Actually, this IS bling )
Wonderful wootz kard, Charles. Congrats!
Here is another, all wotz kard. The scabbard is new of-course)

[spiral]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Actually, this IS bling )

Ahhh I guess that depends on which definition of bling one uses.....

For myself I just see quality materials, stylistic proportioned design & skilled manufacture, but not ostentatiousness or decorative ornamentation purely for show..

But that's a personal view... as is yours of course..


Spiral

[Battara]

I'm glad you brought the wootz out in the handle - I couldn't see it at the show.

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by ALEX

Actually, this IS bling )
Wonderful wootz kard, Charles. Congrats!
Here is another, all wotz kard. The scabbard is new of-course)

That's a magnificent example Alex. Thanks for including it in the thread.

[DaveS]

Charles: When something is that good, no "bling" is required.......Dave.

[Sossan]

In my opinion the Wootz IS bling, great example, thanks for sharing.

[Montino Bourbon]

Simple, beautiful, and functional. My favorite type of dagger. Can be used to cut rope, meat, anything that needs cutting... and an excellent weapon as well.

Here's my newest:

[ALEX]

Originally Posted by Sossan

In my opinion the Wootz IS bling, great example, thanks for sharing.

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

[CharlesS]

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Never knew that....thanks Alex. So it is, indeed, more blingy than I thought!

[Sossan]

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Wootz is the new bling

[spiral]

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Touche!

In that case It seems MTV was right.. In 2004, They released a satirical cartoon showing the term {Bling} being used first by a rapper and then by several progressively less "streetwise" characters, concluding with a middle-aged white woman describing her earrings to her elderly mother. It ended with the statement, "bling-bling 1997-2003." Implying that was its life span ...

linky...

From Jamaican & Bronx ragamuffins & rappers in the early 90s to middle aged ethnographic arms collectors in 20 years!

The development of the English language continues!

I concede defeat....


Spiral

[Runjeet Singh]

Great knife Charles, you can just get lost in that Wootz, and great info and pics from the other members.

The dark colour of the blade and hilt have me thinking (I know it's a dangerous thing), but apart from the beauty, was there a 'tactical reason' for the dark steel (or encouragement to have this type of steel etched dark).

I mean, this would make a great assassins dagger, just like modern day tactical knives which are painted or coated black.

I wouldn't be surprised if this type of steel was used with assassins weapons, or for night time use, after all the bagh naka which is designed to be concealed in the hand, was the weapon used to assassinate Bijapur General Afzal Khan by Maharata Emperor Shivaji.

...my evening ramble,
Runjeet

[Battara]

Runjeet, interesting thought!

[CharlesS]

Runjeet,

Interesting thought, though there are some swords mounted in all wootz hilts(some decorated with gold koftgari...some not).

I think it may have been a matter of personal tastes. I believe in Persian poetry there is reference to "the warrior's black blade". This tells me that there was a certain amount of pride in the wootz itself.

I guess we will really never know what was behind the wootz on wootz combination.

[Sossan]

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Runjeet,

Interesting thought, though there are some swords mounted in all wootz hilts(some decorated with gold koftgari...some not).

I think it may have been a matter of personal tastes. I believe in Persian poetry there is reference to "the warrior's black blade". This tells me that there was a certain amount of pride in the wootz itself.

I guess we will really never know what was behind the wootz on wootz combination.

Personally I think that the vibrant watered patterns on Wootz hilts can be classed as decoration in itself, even though its not a classified decoration per se.

Thats my personal view and who is to say that Wootz enthusiasts in the past did not share the same sentiment and wanted Wootz hilts as a form of decoration with or without the gold window borders.

[spiral]

Originally Posted by Sossan

Personally I think that the vibrant watered patterns on Wootz hilts can be classed as decoration in itself, even though its not a classified decoration per se. .

Decorative indeed! no one can doubt that...

But truly functional & simple in design... not "ostentatiousness or decorative ornamentation purely for show.."

Spiral