The Omani Work Knife.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by ariel

Elgood, in his book, cites Keane's diary of his 1877 travel to Mecca. The beduin who accompanied him, was very proud of his knife: " Rogers!". It was, indeed, Rodgers' carving knife. The beduin proudly gave the point a significant spring, and made a motion of cutting a throat: : " In the name of God! The God is great! Infidel!". Keane " didn't care care to continue the subject" :-)
Further, he noted that "any blade with English characters on it, or even a native blade of well- proven metal obtains that name". It became a synonym of a good blade.

Beauty and mystique of Indian and Persian wootz notwithstanding, European blades became the favorites of the natives throughout the "Orient", from West Africa to India proper. Since the natives used them for their intended battle purposes and definitely knew a thing or two about steel quality, it speaks volumes about comparative mechanical characteristics of the local metallurgical vs. scientific industrial qualities.

Water Scott's fictional description of the superiority of the "saracen" blade of Saladin over the sword of Richard the Lionheart (" The Talisman") hypnotized the minds of the Europeans for centuries.


The funniest thing, this story is still cited in the professional literature as a valid reason to study the metallurgy of "jouhar", the only example of contemporary fiction passed as a valid reference by the reviewers of scientific journals. Truly, a pen sometimes IS mightier than the sword:-)

Salaams ariel Superb references and comments /detail especially on the Joseph Rodgers knife...thanks!

Please see http://www.eggintongroup.co.uk/histo...h-rodgers.html

Quote "Like many of Sheffield cutlery firms, the early history of Joseph Rodgers is a little unclear. It is claimed that a cutler called Joseph or John Rodgers operated out of a building in Hawley Croft close to location of Sheffield’s present day cathedral. In 1730 what are claimed to be his two sons Maurice and Joseph took over.

The mark of *The Star and Maltese Cross was originally registered in March 1682 by a Benjamin Rich. However, it is with Rodgers that this mark will forever by associated and they registered it in 1764". Joseph Rodgers’ success is evident in the firm’s appointment to five successive sovereigns - George IV, William IV, Queen Victoria, Edward II and George V.Unquote.

*The Star and Maltese Cross mark is seen on my knife at # 6.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.