Shafwa or Matwa

[Richard G]

Hello,
I have here what I understand is a shafwa or matwa. Both Elgood and Tirri describe these as arab "utility" knives, and that's about it.
I would suggest that the added decoration makes it a little bit more than simply an utlity knife. Can anyone tell me more precisely which part of the Arabian Peninsula these derive from?, I would be most interested to know.
Regards
Richard

[A.alnakkas]

Hey,

This one is from Yemen. Its common to find those with decorated hilts.

Shafra simply means "edge or blade" in Arabic but these particular type of knives are called Khadaam (Servant) and is generally put behind the bigger jambiya and is used as a utility knife.

Unlike the Saudi or Omani variant of the khadaam (or shafra, the knife behind the bigger jambiya/khanjar) which the scabbard of the khadaam is tied or stitched in the Jambiya/khanjar scabbard, the yemeni ones generally have their own independant scabbard tucked in the belt behind the jambiya.

[kahnjar1]

VERY NICE piece Richard. My call is Yemen for this one, but based only on the scabbard style. Shafra is usually the term applied to the small knives which are found behind the Jambiya/Khanjar (pic attached) but this one appears too big for this purpose. There is a larger utility knife also from the Arabian Peninsula called a KHUSA which usually comes with a scabbard of some sort and is made in various styles.
It should be noted, and I think Elgood mentions this also, that the name for various knives is applied to different styles, depending on where on the Peninsula one happens to be........so Shafra/ Matwa/Khusa etc could be applied to the same knife although to us collectors they are quite different.

Regards Stu

[Richard G]

Thank you very much Mr Alnakkas and Kahnjar1. Exactly the information I was hoping for; very pleased.
Best wishes
Richard