Mechanical Damascus Koumya Blade

[RobT]

Thanks to all who have responded,
On the first blade close-up on my initial post I do see the differential heat treatment on both edges but to me, the section between the two edges shows a different pattern and to me it appears to be mechanical damascus. In regards to the differential heat treatment, this is the only koumya blade in my collection with this feature. Does anyone out there have a koumya with this treatment that they can show us?

Sajen,
Thanks for your complement on my repair. I must however say that I have no trouble whatsoever distinguishing a koumya intended for sale only to tourists from one that a Moroccan would be willing to wear amongst his peers. If a koumya is of good quality, then it was made for sale to Moroccans and non-Moroccans alike. Tourist koumya on the other hand are identifiable by their thin metal, crudely designed and roughly finished elements, and poor construction. In short, they look cheap.The photos I have provided do not show a cheap looking item. It is undeniably of good quality. In any event, I would be willing to bet the ranch that no tourist koumya would be stamped with a maker’s mark and have a differentially heat treated blade.

It is interesting that, in this discussion to date, no comment has been made about the other anomalies that I noted (save for the mention of sparse decoration by Rick). All of these features are found on other jambiya and may point to where the item in this post was made.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by RobT

I must however say that I have no trouble whatsoever distinguishing a koumya intended for sale only to tourists from one that a Moroccan would be willing to wear amongst his peers. If a koumya is of good quality, then it was made for sale to Moroccans and non-Moroccans alike. Tourist koumya on the other hand are identifiable by their thin metal, crudely designed and roughly finished elements, and poor construction. In short, they look cheap.The photos I have provided do not show a cheap looking item. It is undeniably of good quality. In any event, I would be willing to bet the ranch that no tourist koumya would be stamped with a maker’s mark and have a differentially heat treated blade.

Dear Rob,

I think that it isn't easy like this. I've handled and seen koummyas from good and very good quality made only for tourists/collectors.
I am for my part looking more for the signs of use and handling and the wear a koummya shows. Look for example here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=koummya+bone & http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...t=koummya+bone
Also the one I've shown recently (now for sale so I don't want to show it here again) made from silver with gold accents is IMHO a 20th century piece made for sale to rich tourists.
20th century koummyas are mainly made for tourists and collectors, sometimes these are worn by Morrocans as well. I've had one recently and sold it to a member here which you would classify as a tourist one, the fittings are from brass and german silver but it shows clear signs of a long time use (see pics).
Like I said, it's not so easy like you stated.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Like I stated before, I am in no way an expert by koummyas but I've handled a lot and when I would have kept them all I would have a nice collection of them. So all what I write here about them I've gathered from handling them.
Attached a few I've had.