Afghani Khyber swords : are there 2 varieties?

Rick · 6th November 2005, 12:43 AM

Well , if we take Figiel at his word then all Khybers could come from Persia as I have yet to see one with a ricasso .

I think along with a possible tribal variation we should also take into account the creativity of the smith who made the individual piece ; artistic license if you will for the smaller variations in hilt style and bolster .

not2sharp · 9th November 2005, 08:44 AM

Here is a similar all steel sword, most likely from India.

n2s

Rick · 9th November 2005, 02:28 PM

From the picture I'm seeing no T shaped spine , and a false edge ?
Aside from the hilt it looks a bit like a Kirach blade .

There certainly is a confusing variety in the E.W.'s of India .

Should we start to classify Khyber/Salawar Yataghans by blade features ?

Oh yes , and just when I had stated that I'd never seen a Khyber with a ricasso someone comes up with one .

http://www.ashokaarts.com/edgedweapons/ew-46.html

Jens Nordlunde · 9th November 2005, 04:10 PM

Sorry for joining so late. I believe the two different types Ariel shows are due to tribal differences, like stated earlier.

Rick, I think N2s is playing tricks on us, showing only part of the sword. I think I see a false edge too, and do I also see a ricasso?

I too was surprised to see a Khyper knife with a ricasso, and I am with you about the ‘artistic license’, but I don’t buy RobT’s suggestion about expanding the area, where these knifes was used, widely.

Sometimes Afghanistan was a province of Persia, and sometimes of India – it was even at times regarded part of India – not a province.

6th November 2005, 12:43 AM	#1
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	Well , if we take Figiel at his word then all Khybers could come from Persia as I have yet to see one with a ricasso . I think along with a possible tribal variation we should also take into account the creativity of the smith who made the individual piece ; artistic license if you will for the smaller variations in hilt style and bolster .

9th November 2005, 08:44 AM	#2
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	Here is a similar all steel sword, most likely from India. n2s

9th November 2005, 02:28 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,339	From the picture I'm seeing no T shaped spine , and a false edge ? Aside from the hilt it looks a bit like a Kirach blade . There certainly is a confusing variety in the E.W.'s of India . Should we start to classify Khyber/Salawar Yataghans by blade features ? Oh yes , and just when I had stated that I'd never seen a Khyber with a ricasso someone comes up with one . http://www.ashokaarts.com/edgedweapons/ew-46.html

9th November 2005, 04:10 PM	#4
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Sorry for joining so late. I believe the two different types Ariel shows are due to tribal differences, like stated earlier. Rick, I think N2s is playing tricks on us, showing only part of the sword. I think I see a false edge too, and do I also see a ricasso? I too was surprised to see a Khyper knife with a ricasso, and I am with you about the ‘artistic license’, but I don’t buy RobT’s suggestion about expanding the area, where these knifes was used, widely. Sometimes Afghanistan was a province of Persia, and sometimes of India – it was even at times regarded part of India – not a province.