Khyber Knife / Hilt Material?

taube · 27th June 2016, 09:36 AM

Gents,

here is a Khyber knife that I received from a forum member - Thanks again!
I have tried to determine the hilt material but am still uncertain.
The hot needle method did not really work.
It is probably a matter of experience to tell the difference between bone and ivory?
Thanks for any advice!

Best,
taube.

taube · 27th June 2016, 09:38 AM

More photos.

Sajen · 27th June 2016, 11:47 AM

Hi Taube,

the handle seems to be from bone, maybe camel bone, you can see it in up by the porousness. Nice Khyber knife!

Best regards,
Detlef

mariusgmioc · 27th June 2016, 12:38 PM

I would try to clean & polish the hilt, then have a much clearer picture.

From what you posted, I tend to agree with Detlef. So I think it is bone.

Ian · 27th June 2016, 01:17 PM

Agree with the two earlier posts--bone.

Ian

ariel · 27th June 2016, 02:17 PM

Bone.
First, at the top of the pommel you can see the inner structure of the long bone: that's where the bone marrow resides.
Second, you can see short dark lines at the surface: periosteal blood vessels.

I think it is a later one, end of 19 to first half of 20 century: chape looks very "regulation-like"

taube · 27th June 2016, 02:24 PM

Thanks everybody!

There is obviouisly a biological aspect with collecting blades.
Need to brush up my knowledge here, it seems.

From what I read, bone should smell like burnt hair when touched with a hot needle.
Ivory is supposed to be neutral in smell?

I am reluctant to clean the item.
Personally, I prefer keeping things as untouches as possible.
Seeing and feeling the age is fascinating.

Gavin Nugent · 27th June 2016, 02:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taube

Thanks everybody!
There is obviouisly a biological aspect with collecting blades.
Need to brush up my knowledge here, it seems.

From what I read, bone should smell like burnt hair when touched with a hot needle.
Ivory is supposed to be neutral in smell?

Taube,

Do save yourself hot needle tests, there is more than enough knowledge here to ID hilt types. I think goat bone would have been more common than camel.

Gavin

VANDOO · 27th June 2016, 06:13 PM

IN AFGHANISTAN HUMAN BONE WOULD BE MORE COMMON GIVEN ITS HISTORY BUT I NEVER HEARD OF THEM USING IT.
I AGREE BONE BUT DUE TO THE THICKNESS LIKELY FROM A LARGER ANIMAL, HORSE, CAMEL OR COW. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW LAWS IS WE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BUT THOSE HIRED TO INSPECT NOT SO MUCH. JUST TO BE SAFE THEY WILL LIKELY DECLARE EVERYTHING OLD OR NEW THAT IS WHITE AND HARD TO BE IVORY AND NEEDING TO BE DESTROYED.

Tim Simmons · 27th June 2016, 07:41 PM

Burnt ivory and bone smell similar. Ivory is a little more pungent. Think of the smell when a scary dentist drills your teeth

Battara · 29th June 2016, 03:31 AM

I vote bone too.......

napoleon · 29th June 2016, 09:40 AM

definatley bone,not sure what sort though nice thing

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 30th June 2016, 02:58 PM

I agree with Vandoo... This could be camel bone . Note the way it appears to form straws at the ends but not so well defined as Rhino and not as refined as Ivory...See other examples...http://pages.uoregon.edu/ftrock/bones.html

27th June 2016, 09:36 AM	#1
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Khyber Knife / Hilt Material? Gents, here is a Khyber knife that I received from a forum member - Thanks again! I have tried to determine the hilt material but am still uncertain. The hot needle method did not really work. It is probably a matter of experience to tell the difference between bone and ivory? Thanks for any advice! Best, taube. Attached Images

27th June 2016, 09:38 AM	#2
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	More photos. Attached Images Last edited by taube; 27th June 2016 at 09:49 AM.

27th June 2016, 11:47 AM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Hi Taube, the handle seems to be from bone, maybe camel bone, you can see it in up by the porousness. Nice Khyber knife! Best regards, Detlef

27th June 2016, 12:38 PM	#4
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,912	I would try to clean & polish the hilt, then have a much clearer picture. From what you posted, I tend to agree with Detlef. So I think it is bone.

27th June 2016, 01:17 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Agree with the two earlier posts--bone. Ian

27th June 2016, 02:17 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Bone. First, at the top of the pommel you can see the inner structure of the long bone: that's where the bone marrow resides. Second, you can see short dark lines at the surface: periosteal blood vessels. I think it is a later one, end of 19 to first half of 20 century: chape looks very "regulation-like"

27th June 2016, 02:24 PM	#7
taube Member Join Date: Jan 2014 Posts: 45	Thanks everybody! There is obviouisly a biological aspect with collecting blades. Need to brush up my knowledge here, it seems. From what I read, bone should smell like burnt hair when touched with a hot needle. Ivory is supposed to be neutral in smell? I am reluctant to clean the item. Personally, I prefer keeping things as untouches as possible. Seeing and feeling the age is fascinating.

27th June 2016, 06:13 PM	#9
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	IN AFGHANISTAN HUMAN BONE WOULD BE MORE COMMON GIVEN ITS HISTORY BUT I NEVER HEARD OF THEM USING IT. I AGREE BONE BUT DUE TO THE THICKNESS LIKELY FROM A LARGER ANIMAL, HORSE, CAMEL OR COW. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW LAWS IS WE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BUT THOSE HIRED TO INSPECT NOT SO MUCH. JUST TO BE SAFE THEY WILL LIKELY DECLARE EVERYTHING OLD OR NEW THAT IS WHITE AND HARD TO BE IVORY AND NEEDING TO BE DESTROYED.

27th June 2016, 07:41 PM	#10
Tim Simmons Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: What is still UK Posts: 5,925	Burnt ivory and bone smell similar. Ivory is a little more pungent. Think of the smell when a scary dentist drills your teeth

29th June 2016, 03:31 AM	#11
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	I vote bone too.......

29th June 2016, 09:40 AM	#12
napoleon Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 88	definatley bone,not sure what sort though nice thing

30th June 2016, 02:58 PM	#13
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	I agree with Vandoo... This could be camel bone . Note the way it appears to form straws at the ends but not so well defined as Rhino and not as refined as Ivory...See other examples...http://pages.uoregon.edu/ftrock/bones.html