The Omani Khanjar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi Ibrahiim,

The difficulty of changing ingrained tradition cannot be easy, especially when they are linked to perceptions of status. But given the alternative, attitudes do have to change. Not only in Oman but also in the far east.

Why the lack of interest in woods?
I've seen old Khanjar with wooden hilts and it is after all, a renewable and sustainable resource.

With the recent massive resurgence of hard-stone carving in China and India, have you ever considered sourcing hard-stone hilts as a more 'status' alternative to resins?
They could still have partial silver covers with limited pins cemented in to connect the exterior elements, in fact following the Indo-Persian/Mughal methods of decoration they could be quite elaborate.
They would also provide a wide variety of colours and some of the stones used are extremely hard and durable.
Jade, Jadeite, Bowenite Serpentine etc.....

I bet Chinese or Indian workshops could produce a standard 'I' shaped Khanjar hilt to a very high standard at very reasonale cost!

And it's a readily available material with well rooted traditions!

Best
Gene

EDIT: Picture added. Photoshopped picture of Khanjar hilt.
Original hilt removed and space filled with picture of red jadeite.

Salaams Atlantia,
We have just brought on a couple of hilts made of rock crystal... They look pretty stunning but are very weighty... twice the weight of a normal hilt . I suspect they would shatter if dropped..especially on a marble or concrete floor...Anyway it is interesting.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams ~Now here's a funny thing !his hilt has a very nice feel to it... but I cannot decide what it is made from since the edges seem to be going white... or light... as happens with Rhino but this has a feel more of Bakelite or carbon(plastic) or resin ..yet it seems to be horn. The old chap that brought it has said it is half Rhino... meaning he thinks it has Rhino in it... tiny shavings mixed in the mix ...so to speak... but I have me doubts !! Very expensive though !!



Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[spiral]

Looks like cheap layered plastic.... quite likely to be translucent at edges...

I understand many such are made in the Yemen & as with so many sales products you've informed us about, there then imported into Oman to be sold by the dodgy dealers , who always have a tale on their lips...

To quote a Yemini trader...


Al-Ozairi uses his expertise and years of experience to not only sell jambiyas, but also provide free-of-charge consultation for clients.

“Many customers come to my shops asking us to evaluate the price of their jambiyas.”

Many people cannot tell the difference between the original and plastic jambiyas and Al-Ozairi likes to set them straight.

“Thos who make fake, plastic jambiyas have swindled many people out of a lot of money, convincing many customers that their jambiyas are unique,” he said, taking it as a personal affront on his beloved profession.

“They deserve the severest punishment from the government for deceiving people and destroying the reputation of jambiya trade.”

Despite the “plastic invasion,” Al-Ozairi is optimistic about the future and continued legacy of one of Yemen’s most notorious weapons.

“Original jambiyas are an important part of our legacy. It will not fade away as many people say.

It will prevail,” he said.

Ref....linky!

Of course ground rhino horn would also be too valuable to ad to a cheaply made handle like that,The Jambiya makers have re sold there offcuts & adulterated sawdust to the Chinese for at least 25 years! & besides ground human toenails would add the same keratin product & translucency even if without the allure & magic of the last remaining {just.] dinosaur on the planet.


Hope you didn't really pay much for that?

I think your a sharper man than that.


Spiral

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by spiral

Looks like cheap layered plastic.... quite likely to be translucent at edges...

I understand many such are made in the Yemen & as with so many sales products you've informed us about, there then imported into Oman to be sold by the dodgy dealers , who always have a tale on their lips...

To quote a Yemini trader...


Al-Ozairi uses his expertise and years of experience to not only sell jambiyas, but also provide free-of-charge consultation for clients.

“Many customers come to my shops asking us to evaluate the price of their jambiyas.”

Many people cannot tell the difference between the original and plastic jambiyas and Al-Ozairi likes to set them straight.

“Thos who make fake, plastic jambiyas have swindled many people out of a lot of money, convincing many customers that their jambiyas are unique,” he said, taking it as a personal affront on his beloved profession.

“They deserve the severest punishment from the government for deceiving people and destroying the reputation of jambiya trade.”

Despite the “plastic invasion,” Al-Ozairi is optimistic about the future and continued legacy of one of Yemen’s most notorious weapons.

“Original jambiyas are an important part of our legacy. It will not fade away as many people say.

It will prevail,” he said.

Ref....linky!

Of course ground rhino horn would also be too valuable to ad to a cheaply made handle like that,The Jambiya makers have re sold there offcuts & adulterated sawdust to the Chinese for at least 25 years! & besides ground human toenails would add the same keratin product & translucency even if without the allure & magic of the last remaining {just.] dinosaur on the planet.


Hope you didn't really pay much for that?



I think your a sharper man than that.


Spiral

Salaams spiral~ You are absolutely right. I only snapped a picture and the item left ... I think the old chap must have been stitched up ... huge shame. I loved his daft story about the Rhino shavings and even wondered for a minute if it could be true..! I thought it could be amber... but no! probably some resin ...

There are some reasonable "allowable bone" handles on the market ...for European knives and I always wondered why Mamoth tusk never made it here. Thanks for the post and the great linky..
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams all... My workshops team had a bit of a giggle at the 3 stone hilts at #121 and confirm they are only for presentation framed khanjars and certainly not for wearing.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All; Note to Library; Old chaps like these often drop in for a chat ... and they make the best bargainers in the business...Some allow pictures...like this fine gentleman, today, (Awadth Kareeb al Kuwaiti from the U.A.E. He used to work for the late ruler!)
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams All ~ This is quite an unusual shot which I downloaded from the web showing the dagger style often carried in Dhofar with the Straight Omani Sayf, (dancing sword) and Terrs Shield. The dagger is virtually identical to the Yemeni style ... not surprising as the border is quite close by and tribes common to both countries straddle that.
Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.