Anatomy of a Jambiya The Old vs The New and How to Tell Them Apart

kahnjar1 · 14th June 2008, 11:16 PM

Hi Lew,
Thanks for the very informative pointers on the Yemeni Jambiya. My collection of Arabian Peninsula blades lacks examples from the Yemen for the very reason you mention---lack of knowledge in identification of fakes from the area. I have even seen blades made in 2 halves and spot welded together!! Ebay has many "genuine" Yemeni items listed but after having been bitten once, I have steered away from buying there, choosing to wait until I can see examples "in the flesh", or obtain from a reputable dealer or collector.
I look forward to further installments on Arabian blades.
Regards Stuart

Chris Evans · 15th June 2008, 02:14 AM

Lew,

A big thanks for a very educative post. Keep up the good work.

Cheers
Chris

Gavin Nugent · 15th June 2008, 02:33 AM

Thanks Lew, just what collectors need, comparrisions and further information on the subject

regards

Gav

katana · 15th June 2008, 02:11 PM

Great info Lew

Just wished you had posted this awhile ago....then I wouldn't have wasted money and got excited (unnecessarily) on a Yemeni Jambiya (eBay purchase) that looked to be 19th C (in the pics) and turned out to be a neglected tourist piece

David

Gonzalo G · 15th June 2008, 04:55 PM

Very nice thread, thank you for sharing this information and photos.
Regards

Gonzalo

Lew · 17th June 2008, 03:32 AM

Hear is an Omani jambiya that sold today on ebay and it seems highly suspect to me. The embossing seems to be stamped out the blade for some reason was etched to give it a wootz effect but I can see no pattern and there is no central rib in the blade. The leather is newer looking without any wear. I would place this piece around 1970-80. The jambiya at the bottom also just finished on ebay and to me this one is a true older piece late 19th century. Notice the older style blade good quality silver work and good wear as if it had been carried a long time by it's original owner.

http://cgi.ebay.com/19th-early-20th-...d=p3286.c0.m14

Lew

Battara · 17th June 2008, 04:21 AM

Lew, I agree with you 200% That other newer one - BLEHHH!

14th June 2008, 11:16 PM	#1
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,786	THANKS!! Hi Lew, Thanks for the very informative pointers on the Yemeni Jambiya. My collection of Arabian Peninsula blades lacks examples from the Yemen for the very reason you mention---lack of knowledge in identification of fakes from the area. I have even seen blades made in 2 halves and spot welded together!! Ebay has many "genuine" Yemeni items listed but after having been bitten once, I have steered away from buying there, choosing to wait until I can see examples "in the flesh", or obtain from a reputable dealer or collector. I look forward to further installments on Arabian blades. Regards Stuart

15th June 2008, 02:33 AM	#3
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Very informative Thanks Lew, just what collectors need, comparrisions and further information on the subject regards Gav

17th June 2008, 03:32 AM	#6
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hear is an Omani jambiya that sold today on ebay and it seems highly suspect to me. The embossing seems to be stamped out the blade for some reason was etched to give it a wootz effect but I can see no pattern and there is no central rib in the blade. The leather is newer looking without any wear. I would place this piece around 1970-80. The jambiya at the bottom also just finished on ebay and to me this one is a true older piece late 19th century. Notice the older style blade good quality silver work and good wear as if it had been carried a long time by it's original owner. http://cgi.ebay.com/19th-early-20th-...d=p3286.c0.m14 Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 17th June 2008 at 03:50 AM.

15th June 2008, 02:14 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Lew, A big thanks for a very educative post. Keep up the good work. Cheers Chris

15th June 2008, 02:11 PM	#4
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Great info Lew Just wished you had posted this awhile ago....then I wouldn't have wasted money and got excited (unnecessarily) on a Yemeni Jambiya (eBay purchase) that looked to be 19th C (in the pics) and turned out to be a neglected tourist piece David

15th June 2008, 04:55 PM	#5
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	Very nice thread, thank you for sharing this information and photos. Regards Gonzalo

17th June 2008, 04:21 AM	#7
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Lew, I agree with you 200% That other newer one - BLEHHH!