Syrian Jambiya For Comment

Threetemper · 3rd May 2005, 11:46 PM

It looks as though it was forged from a rasp. I have made a few knives this way. They use lots of them on their horses so there is a good supply. Some are casehardened so smiths look for rasps that aren't. Nice grip too.

knife7knut · 4th May 2005, 05:30 AM

When I first looked at the pictures I thought to myself,"Gee I have similar marks near the hilt of the Jambiya I own". Then I took a look at my knife and realized that although the marks were in the same relative position,they were not consistent as on your knife.
Is there a particular reason for having them there? The rest of the blade is devoid of these crosshatched lines. I was under the impression that they were there to aid in the adhesion of the gold inlay. Is that possible?
I'm enclosing a closeup of the area in question.
BTW looks like you got a great deal on a nice knife!
Cheers
Ray

tom hyle · 4th May 2005, 12:42 PM

Yes, you are exactly correct; the crosshatching on yours is for the gold to stick to; this type of overlay work is called koftgari. The marks on the threadstarter are rasp teeth. You may find a differing pattern on the other side (some rasps are the same on both sides, some are not). This seems to be fairly common and traditional in the Arab sphere, on Luzon, and in N America, at least.

Ferguson · 4th May 2005, 03:32 PM

Lew that's cool! Nothing like getting a nice piece at a great price! Still tired of ebay?

Steve

3rd May 2005, 11:46 PM	#1
Threetemper Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Oakhurst,NJ Posts: 14	Nice piece It looks as though it was forged from a rasp. I have made a few knives this way. They use lots of them on their horses so there is a good supply. Some are casehardened so smiths look for rasps that aren't. Nice grip too.

4th May 2005, 05:30 AM	#2
knife7knut Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 31	Re:File marks When I first looked at the pictures I thought to myself,"Gee I have similar marks near the hilt of the Jambiya I own". Then I took a look at my knife and realized that although the marks were in the same relative position,they were not consistent as on your knife. Is there a particular reason for having them there? The rest of the blade is devoid of these crosshatched lines. I was under the impression that they were there to aid in the adhesion of the gold inlay. Is that possible? I'm enclosing a closeup of the area in question. BTW looks like you got a great deal on a nice knife! Cheers Ray Attached Images

4th May 2005, 12:42 PM	#3
tom hyle Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Houston, TX, USA Posts: 1,254	Yes, you are exactly correct; the crosshatching on yours is for the gold to stick to; this type of overlay work is called koftgari. The marks on the threadstarter are rasp teeth. You may find a differing pattern on the other side (some rasps are the same on both sides, some are not). This seems to be fairly common and traditional in the Arab sphere, on Luzon, and in N America, at least.

4th May 2005, 03:32 PM	#4
Ferguson Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Kernersville, NC, USA Posts: 793	Lew that's cool! Nothing like getting a nice piece at a great price! Still tired of ebay? Steve