Yemenite jambiya khanjar

Bob A · 17th November 2016, 05:11 PM

Roland, I feel your pain.

The level of detail that was evident on the sheath of your jambiyya would lead one to believe that a solid, forged blade would be the natural accompaniment.

francantolin · 17th November 2016, 08:25 PM

Sure !
It's crazy that people put such a poor blade with a nice quality scabbard and hilt.
For my ''horn'' hilt, I'll try the hot needle and tell you.

Kind regards

Lee · 17th November 2016, 09:55 PM

A most interesting discussion!

In cataloging Lew's collection I have come across a number of jambiyas that I suspect have these blades that are made from two stamped pieces of sheet metal fused together.

Some have hilts with surprisingly fine silver work. Also, sometimes the wood and leather of a very well fitting sheath show some definite aging.

I have been very curious to learn when this sort of blade was introduced and where they have been made (versus hilted).

Roland_M · 18th November 2016, 08:32 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob A

Roland, I feel your pain.

The level of detail that was evident on the sheath of your jambiyya would lead one to believe that a solid, forged blade would be the natural accompaniment.

Bob, exactly that was my thought! My very first impression was "The Mr. photographer from the internet is really brilliant."

But yesterday I finished the first stage of my Sikin Pasangan-polishing and it was a feeling like in heaven, when the structures came through, absolutely incredible.
I really look forward to show it here in the forum, a great masterpiece.

The jambiya is at least an interessting oddity.

Roland

mariusgmioc · 18th November 2016, 10:31 AM

This is really astonishing! Wouldn't even have imagined that such a "marriage" is possible and definitely I would have never suspected anythig.

In fact, I believe Roland's example is a brilliant and very interesting piece in itself, exactly for this strange oddity.

So Roland, I don't think you should feel sorry about this, but keep this Jambiya as an example for the skill and creativity of the maker.

fernando · 18th November 2016, 12:25 PM

It looks as hilt/scabbard silver smiths proceeded with an attitude different than that of blade smiths. While the first kept their craft refined, the second departed for an easy job; assuming that hollow blades are not so hard to put up as real tempered solid ones. Also cultures were quite apart, the silver smiths being often Jews (Temani) and not allowed to forge blades ... so i heard. I know nothing of this subject but, i think hollow blades are definitely a declining resource; potentially newer than hilts and scabbards they are married with, when older age of the late is evident.

francantolin · 18th November 2016, 01:50 PM

I tested my hilt with the hot burning needle: no particular smell, the needle can't penetrate deep inside.
No plastic but not sure it's horn too !!

Roland_M · 18th November 2016, 02:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by francantolin

I tested my hilt with the hot burning needle: no particular smell, the needle can't penetrate deep inside.
No plastic but not sure it's horn too !!

One possibility could be Giraffe hoof.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=10109

Roland

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th November 2016, 12:13 PM

This is a cow horn hilt. The scabbard is new (nothing wrong with that as they fell apart usually scabbard first)..It is said that blades were imported from Germany and elsewhere although stories circulate that meteorite ore was used in locally made finer blades. Better quality blades are not joined like this, however, it is difficult to prove ..I have a dozen blades at any one time at the workshop but they are neither stamped nor are two the same. I think some came from Baluchistan and others from Persia as well as imports through trade from German sources and locally made items from wandering craftsmen such as the Zutoot in Oman before 1970.

Since this is a cow horn hilt it almost inevitably downgrades the dagger to tourist status...confirmed in the low grade blade and new scabbard of standard type and quality. Most Yemeni daggers were mounted on Rhino hilts...except cheaper items for the tourist market. The furniture on this weapon is low grade silver with a high other metals content typical after 1948 when the expert Jewish craftsmen left.

17th November 2016, 09:55 PM	#3
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 937	How old can these sheet metal blades be? A most interesting discussion! In cataloging Lew's collection I have come across a number of jambiyas that I suspect have these blades that are made from two stamped pieces of sheet metal fused together. Some have hilts with surprisingly fine silver work. Also, sometimes the wood and leather of a very well fitting sheath show some definite aging. I have been very curious to learn when this sort of blade was introduced and where they have been made (versus hilted).

17th November 2016, 05:11 PM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	Roland, I feel your pain. The level of detail that was evident on the sheath of your jambiyya would lead one to believe that a solid, forged blade would be the natural accompaniment.

17th November 2016, 08:25 PM	#2
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	Sure ! It's crazy that people put such a poor blade with a nice quality scabbard and hilt. For my ''horn'' hilt, I'll try the hot needle and tell you. Kind regards

18th November 2016, 10:31 AM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	This is really astonishing! Wouldn't even have imagined that such a "marriage" is possible and definitely I would have never suspected anythig. In fact, I believe Roland's example is a brilliant and very interesting piece in itself, exactly for this strange oddity. So Roland, I don't think you should feel sorry about this, but keep this Jambiya as an example for the skill and creativity of the maker.

18th November 2016, 12:25 PM	#6
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	It looks as hilt/scabbard silver smiths proceeded with an attitude different than that of blade smiths. While the first kept their craft refined, the second departed for an easy job; assuming that hollow blades are not so hard to put up as real tempered solid ones. Also cultures were quite apart, the silver smiths being often Jews (Temani) and not allowed to forge blades ... so i heard. I know nothing of this subject but, i think hollow blades are definitely a declining resource; potentially newer than hilts and scabbards they are married with, when older age of the late is evident.

18th November 2016, 01:50 PM	#7
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	I tested my hilt with the hot burning needle: no particular smell, the needle can't penetrate deep inside. No plastic but not sure it's horn too !!

30th November 2016, 12:13 PM	#9
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This is a cow horn hilt. The scabbard is new (nothing wrong with that as they fell apart usually scabbard first)..It is said that blades were imported from Germany and elsewhere although stories circulate that meteorite ore was used in locally made finer blades. Better quality blades are not joined like this, however, it is difficult to prove ..I have a dozen blades at any one time at the workshop but they are neither stamped nor are two the same. I think some came from Baluchistan and others from Persia as well as imports through trade from German sources and locally made items from wandering craftsmen such as the Zutoot in Oman before 1970. Since this is a cow horn hilt it almost inevitably downgrades the dagger to tourist status...confirmed in the low grade blade and new scabbard of standard type and quality. Most Yemeni daggers were mounted on Rhino hilts...except cheaper items for the tourist market. The furniture on this weapon is low grade silver with a high other metals content typical after 1948 when the expert Jewish craftsmen left.