A Simple, Elegant All Wootz Steel Kard Dagger

CharlesS · 19th March 2014, 09:06 PM

While I am generally attracted to "bling" decorated ethnographic weapons, this simple kard dagger really caught my eye in Baltimore at the auction. The dagger is Indo-Persian and likely 19th century or perhaps a little earlier. The dagger is from two pieces of wootz steel, one making the blade and the other the hilt. The contrast of the wootz is quite dramatic.

I suspect the scabbard is later.

I may be rethinking my ideas about "blingy" weapons!

Dimensions: Overall 11.5in. Blade: 7.25in.

Comments and opinions welcomed.

spiral · 19th March 2014, 10:23 PM

Lovely!

A true example that The very best quality requires no bling..

Spiral

ALEX · 19th March 2014, 10:54 PM

Actually, this IS bling )
Wonderful wootz kard, Charles. Congrats!
Here is another, all wotz kard. The scabbard is new of-course)

spiral · 20th March 2014, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

Actually, this IS bling )

Ahhh I guess that depends on which definition of bling one uses.....

For myself I just see quality materials, stylistic proportioned design & skilled manufacture, but not ostentatiousness or decorative ornamentation purely for show..

But that's a personal view... as is yours of course..

Spiral

Battara · 20th March 2014, 01:07 AM

I'm glad you brought the wootz out in the handle - I couldn't see it at the show.

CharlesS · 20th March 2014, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

Actually, this IS bling )
Wonderful wootz kard, Charles. Congrats!
Here is another, all wotz kard. The scabbard is new of-course)

That's a magnificent example Alex. Thanks for including it in the thread.

DaveS · 20th March 2014, 04:15 AM

Charles: When something is that good, no "bling" is required.......Dave.

Sossan · 21st March 2014, 02:48 AM

In my opinion the Wootz IS bling, great example, thanks for sharing.

Montino Bourbon · 21st March 2014, 06:49 PM

Simple, beautiful, and functional. My favorite type of dagger. Can be used to cut rope, meat, anything that needs cutting... and an excellent weapon as well.

Here's my newest:

ALEX · 21st March 2014, 08:45 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sossan

In my opinion the Wootz IS bling, great example, thanks for sharing.

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

CharlesS · 21st March 2014, 08:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Never knew that....thanks Alex. So it is, indeed, more blingy than I thought!

Sossan · 21st March 2014, 11:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Wootz is the new bling

spiral · 21st March 2014, 11:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ALEX

One of Arabic translations of wootz, i.e. Jawhar is... diamond(s). So technically, we got it right

Touche!

In that case It seems MTV was right.. In 2004, They released a satirical cartoon showing the term {Bling} being used first by a rapper and then by several progressively less "streetwise" characters, concluding with a middle-aged white woman describing her earrings to her elderly mother. It ended with the statement, "bling-bling 1997-2003." Implying that was its life span ...

linky...

From Jamaican & Bronx ragamuffins & rappers in the early 90s to middle aged ethnographic arms collectors in 20 years!

The development of the English language continues!

I concede defeat....

Spiral

Runjeet Singh · 22nd March 2014, 12:00 AM

Great knife Charles, you can just get lost in that Wootz, and great info and pics from the other members.

The dark colour of the blade and hilt have me thinking (I know it's a dangerous thing), but apart from the beauty, was there a 'tactical reason' for the dark steel (or encouragement to have this type of steel etched dark).

I mean, this would make a great assassins dagger, just like modern day tactical knives which are painted or coated black.

I wouldn't be surprised if this type of steel was used with assassins weapons, or for night time use, after all the bagh naka which is designed to be concealed in the hand, was the weapon used to assassinate Bijapur General Afzal Khan by Maharata Emperor Shivaji.

...my evening ramble,
Runjeet

Battara · 22nd March 2014, 04:19 AM

Runjeet, interesting thought!

CharlesS · 22nd March 2014, 01:33 PM

Runjeet,

Interesting thought, though there are some swords mounted in all wootz hilts(some decorated with gold koftgari...some not).

I think it may have been a matter of personal tastes. I believe in Persian poetry there is reference to "the warrior's black blade". This tells me that there was a certain amount of pride in the wootz itself.

I guess we will really never know what was behind the wootz on wootz combination.

Sossan · 22nd March 2014, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CharlesS

Runjeet,

Interesting thought, though there are some swords mounted in all wootz hilts(some decorated with gold koftgari...some not).

I think it may have been a matter of personal tastes. I believe in Persian poetry there is reference to "the warrior's black blade". This tells me that there was a certain amount of pride in the wootz itself.

I guess we will really never know what was behind the wootz on wootz combination.

Personally I think that the vibrant watered patterns on Wootz hilts can be classed as decoration in itself, even though its not a classified decoration per se.

Thats my personal view and who is to say that Wootz enthusiasts in the past did not share the same sentiment and wanted Wootz hilts as a form of decoration with or without the gold window borders.

spiral · 26th March 2014, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sossan

Personally I think that the vibrant watered patterns on Wootz hilts can be classed as decoration in itself, even though its not a classified decoration per se. .

Decorative indeed! no one can doubt that...

But truly functional & simple in design... not "ostentatiousness or decorative ornamentation purely for show.."

Spiral

19th March 2014, 09:06 PM	#1
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	A Simple, Elegant All Wootz Steel Kard Dagger While I am generally attracted to "bling" decorated ethnographic weapons, this simple kard dagger really caught my eye in Baltimore at the auction. The dagger is Indo-Persian and likely 19th century or perhaps a little earlier. The dagger is from two pieces of wootz steel, one making the blade and the other the hilt. The contrast of the wootz is quite dramatic. I suspect the scabbard is later. I may be rethinking my ideas about "blingy" weapons! Dimensions: Overall 11.5in. Blade: 7.25in. Comments and opinions welcomed. Attached Images

19th March 2014, 10:54 PM	#3
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Actually, this IS bling ) Wonderful wootz kard, Charles. Congrats! Here is another, all wotz kard. The scabbard is new of-course) Attached Images

21st March 2014, 06:49 PM	#9
Montino Bourbon Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Santa Barbara, California Posts: 301	My favorite style! Simple, beautiful, and functional. My favorite type of dagger. Can be used to cut rope, meat, anything that needs cutting... and an excellent weapon as well. Here's my newest: Attached Images

19th March 2014, 10:23 PM	#2
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Lovely! A true example that The very best quality requires no bling.. Spiral

20th March 2014, 01:07 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	I'm glad you brought the wootz out in the handle - I couldn't see it at the show.

20th March 2014, 04:15 AM	#7
DaveS Member Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 327	Charles: When something is that good, no "bling" is required.......Dave.

21st March 2014, 02:48 AM	#8
Sossan Member Join Date: Apr 2013 Posts: 7	In my opinion the Wootz IS bling, great example, thanks for sharing.

22nd March 2014, 12:00 AM	#14
Runjeet Singh Member Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Warwickshire, England Posts: 150	Great knife Charles, you can just get lost in that Wootz, and great info and pics from the other members. The dark colour of the blade and hilt have me thinking (I know it's a dangerous thing), but apart from the beauty, was there a 'tactical reason' for the dark steel (or encouragement to have this type of steel etched dark). I mean, this would make a great assassins dagger, just like modern day tactical knives which are painted or coated black. I wouldn't be surprised if this type of steel was used with assassins weapons, or for night time use, after all the bagh naka which is designed to be concealed in the hand, was the weapon used to assassinate Bijapur General Afzal Khan by Maharata Emperor Shivaji. ...my evening ramble, Runjeet

22nd March 2014, 04:19 AM	#15
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,219	Runjeet, interesting thought!

22nd March 2014, 01:33 PM	#16
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,857	Runjeet, Interesting thought, though there are some swords mounted in all wootz hilts(some decorated with gold koftgari...some not). I think it may have been a matter of personal tastes. I believe in Persian poetry there is reference to "the warrior's black blade". This tells me that there was a certain amount of pride in the wootz itself. I guess we will really never know what was behind the wootz on wootz combination.