Yemeni Jambiya for restoration....but is it worth it?

Lew · 22nd October 2007, 10:27 PM

Hi Katana

Your jambiya seems circa 1970s-80s the quality is ok for that time period. The silver work is not as nice as the the ones seen prior to 1948. Many of the skilled Yemeni silversmiths were Jewish and most of them immigrated to Israel after 1948. So you do see a decline in over all silverwork quality after that time. As far as the hilt being made of rhino horn you will need to look for those tightly packed fiber bundles at the top of the hilt. Here are two older 19th century ones for comparison the top one is rhino horn.

Lew

Battara · 22nd October 2007, 11:10 PM

Also some rhino horn can be translucent.

fernando · 22nd October 2007, 11:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Also some rhino horn can be translucent.

Yes, with the coming of age. But maybe not so bright as David's example(?)

spiral · 22nd October 2007, 11:46 PM

Rhino horn can be translucent & bright in sunlight etc at any age. Depends on the individual horn. Goat,cow or buffalo horn can be translucent to on occasions.

At least it looks like a real blade as well.

The amber jambiyas dont seem to be real amber to me. More a plastic resin mix.

Spiral

katana · 23rd October 2007, 01:51 PM

Thank you all for your replies.

Robert and Fernando, amber was something I had not considered and could be a possibility. The seller describes the hilt as being 'some sort of bone'...but due to the colouration and 'apparent' translucence, assumed rhino a high possibility.

Hi Lew, thank you for the additional info, I agree totally that the silverwork on mine has less quality than the really nice examples you posted.

Hi Spiral, the pics do suggest that the blade is 'real' ( I do hope you are right) and it was this thought that I took the risk and bought it. I understand that a number of recent blades were made with two sheets of steel welded together (I assume that the central ridge contour is 'pressed' on each sheet and gives the illusion of a solid central spine when the two halves are joined)
Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'.

I will post a better description and pics when it arrives.

Kind Regards David

spiral · 23rd October 2007, 09:38 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by katana

Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'.

I didnt say it didnt improve David, I said "Rhino horn can be translucent & bright in sunlight etc at any age."

With care & handling with clean hands it can get a better shine & patina. With unwashed hands it just goes brown & opaque.

But it can start out bright & translucent.

Look forward to the pics. That doesnt look a hollow blade.

Spiral

Lew · 23rd October 2007, 10:30 PM

Spiral

Are you suggesting that since my jambiya's rhino horn is dark and opaque that the original owner had dirty hands

.

Lew

22nd October 2007, 10:27 PM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Hi Katana Your jambiya seems circa 1970s-80s the quality is ok for that time period. The silver work is not as nice as the the ones seen prior to 1948. Many of the skilled Yemeni silversmiths were Jewish and most of them immigrated to Israel after 1948. So you do see a decline in over all silverwork quality after that time. As far as the hilt being made of rhino horn you will need to look for those tightly packed fiber bundles at the top of the hilt. Here are two older 19th century ones for comparison the top one is rhino horn. Lew Attached Images Last edited by LOUIEBLADES; 23rd October 2007 at 03:00 PM.

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22nd October 2007, 11:10 PM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,284	Also some rhino horn can be translucent.

22nd October 2007, 11:46 PM	#4
spiral Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 1,712	Rhino horn can be translucent & bright in sunlight etc at any age. Depends on the individual horn. Goat,cow or buffalo horn can be translucent to on occasions. At least it looks like a real blade as well. The amber jambiyas dont seem to be real amber to me. More a plastic resin mix. Spiral

23rd October 2007, 01:51 PM	#5
katana Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Kent Posts: 2,658	Thank you all for your replies. Robert and Fernando, amber was something I had not considered and could be a possibility. The seller describes the hilt as being 'some sort of bone'...but due to the colouration and 'apparent' translucence, assumed rhino a high possibility. Hi Lew, thank you for the additional info, I agree totally that the silverwork on mine has less quality than the really nice examples you posted. Hi Spiral, the pics do suggest that the blade is 'real' ( I do hope you are right) and it was this thought that I took the risk and bought it. I understand that a number of recent blades were made with two sheets of steel welded together (I assume that the central ridge contour is 'pressed' on each sheet and gives the illusion of a solid central spine when the two halves are joined) Also I was under the impression that the translucence of Rhino horn improves with age and handling.....thanks for putting me 'straight'. I will post a better description and pics when it arrives. Kind Regards David

23rd October 2007, 10:30 PM	#7
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Spiral Are you suggesting that since my jambiya's rhino horn is dark and opaque that the original owner had dirty hands . Lew