Zirah Bouk/ Pesh Kabz

archer · 28th September 2008, 07:07 PM

I just got this item and it may well have been recently made. It appears to have two separate wootz? patterns joined by scarfing. The blade is about seven inches long. Your thoughts on age, etc.
Regards,
Steve

Sorry photos were too big! I'll reduce them. It's hard to get patterns to show as blade isn't etched.

Gavin Nugent · 28th September 2008, 07:15 PM

Pictures will help when you can.

regards

Gav

Atlantia · 28th September 2008, 07:26 PM

Hi Archer,

Looks like a nice piece. Close-ups of the laminations in the blade would be useful.

Gene

Gavin Nugent · 28th September 2008, 07:51 PM

I like the hilt very much too, can you post good images of it too.

thanks

Gav

Atlantia · 28th September 2008, 07:55 PM

Sorry Archer, need more and clearer towards the fron end of the blade.

I'm not sure it looks like wootz, but it doesn't look brand new to me either. It doe look like a good one though!

rand · 28th September 2008, 07:57 PM

Hey Steve,

You dagger looks good to me and shows genuine age on the ivory grip scales and blade. Is a bit difficult from the photo's, but is there a grapes and vine decoration on the tang bands? If so thats fairly datable for a general time period. As Gene siad you can definately see a delamination line.

rand

archer · 28th September 2008, 09:27 PM

Hi Rand, Seems all decoration is floral. I particularly like the hook at blade tip and the fact the diamond shape is 1/2 inch thick by 1 inch. I'll have to try for some outside photos soon it's snowy out. Thank you all for present and future input. Steve

ALEX · 28th September 2008, 11:17 PM

I agree with Atlantia and Rand. It does not look new. The metal between gold is well patinated, the handle (ivory?) looks definitely old, and on the second from the top image I can clearly see a pattern, which does look like wotz. Well done! Nice dagger.

Also, the line on the ridge can indicate a fold line, not necessarily that two (different) panels of steel were merged. The etching can confirm it.

Battara · 28th September 2008, 11:40 PM

Yes, the koftgari is of a quality unmatched even today. In addition is has wear and the ivory aging, well, all says old. Someone may have "cleaned" the blade. Closeups of the blade would be nice. Great puppy.

Richard Furrer · 1st October 2008, 01:57 AM

I can not see pattern on the blade (other than the seam..whatever may have caused it), but there is a form called Kamara which is wootz on one side and pattern-weld on the other....I saw several while in India.
I have not made one yet, but will..

Ric

28th September 2008, 07:07 PM	#1
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Zirah Bouk/ Pesh Kabz I just got this item and it may well have been recently made. It appears to have two separate wootz? patterns joined by scarfing. The blade is about seven inches long. Your thoughts on age, etc. Regards, Steve Sorry photos were too big! I'll reduce them. It's hard to get patterns to show as blade isn't etched. Attached Images Last edited by archer; 28th September 2008 at 09:21 PM.

28th September 2008, 07:15 PM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Pictures please Pictures will help when you can. regards Gav

28th September 2008, 07:51 PM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	I like the hilt I like the hilt very much too, can you post good images of it too. thanks Gav

28th September 2008, 07:57 PM	#6
rand Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Virginia Posts: 538	Dagger Hey Steve, You dagger looks good to me and shows genuine age on the ivory grip scales and blade. Is a bit difficult from the photo's, but is there a grapes and vine decoration on the tang bands? If so thats fairly datable for a general time period. As Gene siad you can definately see a delamination line. rand

28th September 2008, 09:27 PM	#7
archer Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 373	Zirah Bouk Hi Rand, Seems all decoration is floral. I particularly like the hook at blade tip and the fact the diamond shape is 1/2 inch thick by 1 inch. I'll have to try for some outside photos soon it's snowy out. Thank you all for present and future input. Steve

28th September 2008, 07:26 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Archer, Looks like a nice piece. Close-ups of the laminations in the blade would be useful. Gene

28th September 2008, 07:55 PM	#5
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Sorry Archer, need more and clearer towards the fron end of the blade. I'm not sure it looks like wootz, but it doesn't look brand new to me either. It doe look like a good one though!

28th September 2008, 11:17 PM	#8
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	I agree with Atlantia and Rand. It does not look new. The metal between gold is well patinated, the handle (ivory?) looks definitely old, and on the second from the top image I can clearly see a pattern, which does look like wotz. Well done! Nice dagger. Also, the line on the ridge can indicate a fold line, not necessarily that two (different) panels of steel were merged. The etching can confirm it. Last edited by ALEX; 28th September 2008 at 11:53 PM.

28th September 2008, 11:40 PM	#9
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,220	Yes, the koftgari is of a quality unmatched even today. In addition is has wear and the ivory aging, well, all says old. Someone may have "cleaned" the blade. Closeups of the blade would be nice. Great puppy.

1st October 2008, 01:57 AM	#10
Richard Furrer Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin Posts: 163	I can not see pattern on the blade (other than the seam..whatever may have caused it), but there is a form called Kamara which is wootz on one side and pattern-weld on the other....I saw several while in India. I have not made one yet, but will.. Ric