Ivory or bone? Choora

Bob A · 15th April 2016, 05:34 AM

Very attractive choora, and a delightful sheath (or scabbard? Is there a difference?).

I suspect the material in question is bone. Not an easy determination to make from a photo, of course.

mariusgmioc · 15th April 2016, 06:54 AM

Thank you for the new photos!

Based solely on the photos is difficult to form a definitive opinion, but from what I see I tend to believe it is elephant ivory, both the pommel and the scales.

The blade also appears to be wootz, but then again, it is difficult to say from the photos.

If I had this knife, I would give it a thorough cleaning, some polishing (to both the blade and the hilt), then try some etching of the blade.

Anyhow, it is a very nice knife.

PS: Not long ago, I got an Indian Pesk-kabz in pretty bad shape. Cleaned it thoroughly (the hilt with alcohol and the blade with white spirit), gave it a good polishing (the hilt with 1000/2000 up to 5000/7000 grit - and the blade with 800 up to 3000 grit) then etched the blade, and the result was spectacular. The polishing revealed the superb elephant ivory hilt and the etching revealed high contrast wootz.

kronckew · 15th April 2016, 05:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bob A

... sheath (or scabbard? Is there a difference?)....

basically, no.

i tend to look at a sheath being a soft (all leather) home for a knife or dagger, and a scabbard being a hard (wood or wood lined or metal) home for a sword, and possibly for a dagger or knife, especially a hard military issue one. the terms overlap some. a softish unlined leather sheath for a sword/hanger/cutlass/langseax with metal fittings, throat, chape, hangers, i might think of as a scabbard, others may call it a sheath. so, call them what you think best. and feel free to change your mind frequently.

15th April 2016, 05:34 AM	#1
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 439	Very attractive choora, and a delightful sheath (or scabbard? Is there a difference?). I suspect the material in question is bone. Not an easy determination to make from a photo, of course.

15th April 2016, 06:54 AM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	Thank you for the new photos! Based solely on the photos is difficult to form a definitive opinion, but from what I see I tend to believe it is elephant ivory, both the pommel and the scales. The blade also appears to be wootz, but then again, it is difficult to say from the photos. If I had this knife, I would give it a thorough cleaning, some polishing (to both the blade and the hilt), then try some etching of the blade. Anyhow, it is a very nice knife. PS: Not long ago, I got an Indian Pesk-kabz in pretty bad shape. Cleaned it thoroughly (the hilt with alcohol and the blade with white spirit), gave it a good polishing (the hilt with 1000/2000 up to 5000/7000 grit - and the blade with 800 up to 3000 grit) then etched the blade, and the result was spectacular. The polishing revealed the superb elephant ivory hilt and the etching revealed high contrast wootz.