Omani Khanjar ?

David R · 7th July 2022, 11:53 AM

Arrived today, 07.07.22, bought via E-bay for a bargain price. E-bat restricts what can be sold in the UK, but the vendor called it a Jambiya, never used the word "blade" and in the pics kept it in the scabbard! He beat the algorithm!
I was glad to see it did have a blade, albeit one of the two part hollow ones.
The "silver" is very thin, and the blade fits the scabbard poorly, to the point where I think that they did not start life together. I am still happy with the piece, it's a handsome display piece and cost about the same as a sit down meal for two in a pizzeria.

Gonzoadler · 8th July 2022, 03:04 PM

Yes, you are right, it is a recent decorative piece, rather for tourists than for locals. But the mountings are normally made of "real" silver by hand. So it is nonetheless a piece of Omani craftmanship.
The price sounds acceptable.

Regards
Robin

David R · 7th August 2022, 07:49 PM

That thing which happens when you search on Ebay, and it suggests that you might like this.... I am going to take a rest from Khanjar/Jambiya buying until my wallet heals.

Victrix · 7th August 2022, 10:33 PM

Reminds me of the time when I was in Muscat about 15 years ago. I went to the exotic soukh (market) planning to buy a jambiya to take home. But I could feel the vendors beady eyes follow me everywhere and realized with a sinking heart that I was extremely unlikely to return home with a genuine original piece since there are so many reproductions around for the tourists. I ended up going home without one. Ironically, unless you have special trustworthy local contacts, I reckon it’s safer and cheaper to procure one from a Western auction house.

werecow · 7th August 2022, 11:08 PM

I've been attending a meetup that sometimes takes place at a bar here in Leiden where they have a jambiya sitting out on a shelf within easy reach of the customers. It seems like leaving big daggers lying around in a place where there is frequent drinking could be a bad idea, but luckily we all are a non-stabby bunch. I'll see if I can take a picture next time.

7th July 2022, 11:53 AM	#1
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	Omani Khanjar ? Arrived today, 07.07.22, bought via E-bay for a bargain price. E-bat restricts what can be sold in the UK, but the vendor called it a Jambiya, never used the word "blade" and in the pics kept it in the scabbard! He beat the algorithm! I was glad to see it did have a blade, albeit one of the two part hollow ones. The "silver" is very thin, and the blade fits the scabbard poorly, to the point where I think that they did not start life together. I am still happy with the piece, it's a handsome display piece and cost about the same as a sit down meal for two in a pizzeria. Attached Images

7th August 2022, 07:49 PM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,079	That thing which happens when you search on Ebay, and it suggests that you might like this.... I am going to take a rest from Khanjar/Jambiya buying until my wallet heals. Attached Images

8th July 2022, 03:04 PM	#2
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 244	Yes, you are right, it is a recent decorative piece, rather for tourists than for locals. But the mountings are normally made of "real" silver by hand. So it is nonetheless a piece of Omani craftmanship. The price sounds acceptable. Regards Robin

7th August 2022, 10:33 PM	#4
Victrix Member Join Date: Apr 2017 Location: Sweden Posts: 710	Reminds me of the time when I was in Muscat about 15 years ago. I went to the exotic soukh (market) planning to buy a jambiya to take home. But I could feel the vendors beady eyes follow me everywhere and realized with a sinking heart that I was extremely unlikely to return home with a genuine original piece since there are so many reproductions around for the tourists. I ended up going home without one. Ironically, unless you have special trustworthy local contacts, I reckon it’s safer and cheaper to procure one from a Western auction house.

7th August 2022, 11:08 PM	#5
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 498	I've been attending a meetup that sometimes takes place at a bar here in Leiden where they have a jambiya sitting out on a shelf within easy reach of the customers. It seems like leaving big daggers lying around in a place where there is frequent drinking could be a bad idea, but luckily we all are a non-stabby bunch. I'll see if I can take a picture next time.