My Jambiya [need help]

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hi Barry,
I can find no actual name for the belts though I suspect that there is one. Forum Member "Steve" is the most like source of further info on these but I believe that he is travelling at present. Some earlier daggers are known to have had belts added in much more modern times so the age of the 2 may be considerably different.
The attached pic is of one of these, which I have on the way. When it arrives I will post better pics, but the belt is known to be a much later addition. Earlier belts in my experience were of leather rather than the later fabric embroidered (either machine or hand) ones.
Stu

This has now arrived and I have removed the belt so that it can be seen clearer.
In my opinion it is machine made as opposed to hand sewn. As you can see, the stitching on the back is too straight and even to be hand done. The Arabic I expect is a Koranic verse.
Regards Stu

[Michael Blalock]

Here are some images of ancient south arabian swords and the statue discussed above. I especially like the one with the man with two bulls heads. I found it recently in some pictures taken at a Yemeni museum.