unknown

Donna · 15th June 2025, 09:10 AM

Dear All, new to this so be kind

i have a knife that i want to trace back its history so welcome picking the brains out there.
I have left it as i bought it for now, as i feel its one of those things that touching with no experience can make things worse.

werecow · 15th June 2025, 12:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Donna

Dear All, new to this so be kind

i have a knife that i want to trace back its history so welcome picking the brains out there.
I have left it as i bought it for now, as i feel its one of those things that touching with no experience can make things worse.

I had a knife like this when I was a kid, maybe slightly more curved. Unfortunately the wooden grip broke off at some point (revealing a short 2cm tang or so IIRC) and the blade got lost during a move. Side note: After the grip broke I used to pretend it was a velociraptor claw.

I've been wondering where it was from. My guess would be Moroccan or Algerian.

Ian · 15th June 2025, 12:54 PM

Hello Donna,

Welcome to the forum!

For confident identification of your knife, we will need more pictures. Details are best observed on a plain background, with full length views of each side, and close-ups of the hilt and blade.

Sajen · 15th June 2025, 03:23 PM

Hello Donna,

It's a recent to vintage Bou Saadi knife from Algeria. Try the search word "Bou Saadi" and you will find several threads which will show similar knives.

Regards,
Detlef

RobT · Today, 12:05 AM

Donna,

You can also search using the word khodmi as this is another name for this knife. Bou Saâda is a town (and surrounding area) in Algeria. Bou Saadi basically means “from Bou Saâda”.
Your knife has a cross guard which is atypical for these knives. What is the cross guard made of? The hole in the hilt (partially covered by the wire wrap ferrule) is for a leather thong which is attached to a metal ring (usually steel) on the sheath to prevent loss of the knife.
You need to get rid of the live rust on the blade. Soak the blade with WD40 for a few days and use 0000 steel wool or a 3M abrasive pad. You could also use EvapoRust but that is more expensive. If the cross guard is made of wood, be careful not to damage it with the steel wool or pad.

Sincerely,
RobT

Jim McDougall · Today, 12:27 AM

welcome Donna! Thank you for posting!

As Detlef and Rob have noted, this is basically a BOU SAADI knife, indeed from tribal peoples in Algeria and of course throughout contiguous regions. The term 'khodmi' also seems to apply, but honestly the terms might apply to the same form, those with more knowledge on these could clarify.

While not remarkably old, perhaps about mid 20thc. or somewhat earlier, with ethnographic forms like this, they represent forms of weapon in use often for countless generations in these regions. What is exciting is the colorful history which complements these kinds of weapon regardless of age. The same kinds of knives were in use by Berber tribes during times of the French Foreign Legion and other forces in 19th century well into 20th.

Careful and restrained cleaning as noted with WD40, some wood oil.

werecow · Today, 12:53 AM

The cross on my example was made of wood.

Ian · Today, 02:40 AM

Just a reminder of information found elsewhere on this site. The word khodmi is simply Algerian for "knife." Bou saadi means "coming from Bou Saada" in Algeria.

Khodmi bou saadi = knife from Bou Saada. It says nothing about the blade (curved or straight) or hilt style. Of course there are broad patterns of each that define the cultural norms for the area, but the terms offered are very broad and focus on where the item was likely made.

RobT · Today, 02:46 AM

Ian,

Thanks for the information. I didn't know that khodmi just meant knife. Good to know.

Sincerely,
RobT

Sajen · Today, 06:04 AM

See also here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25268

15th June 2025, 09:10 AM	#1
Donna Member Join Date: Jun 2025 Posts: 1	unknown Dear All, new to this so be kind i have a knife that i want to trace back its history so welcome picking the brains out there. I have left it as i bought it for now, as i feel its one of those things that touching with no experience can make things worse. Attached Images

Today, 12:05 AM	#5
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 550	AKA Khodmi Donna, You can also search using the word khodmi as this is another name for this knife. Bou Saâda is a town (and surrounding area) in Algeria. Bou Saadi basically means “from Bou Saâda”. Your knife has a cross guard which is atypical for these knives. What is the cross guard made of? The hole in the hilt (partially covered by the wire wrap ferrule) is for a leather thong which is attached to a metal ring (usually steel) on the sheath to prevent loss of the knife. You need to get rid of the live rust on the blade. Soak the blade with WD40 for a few days and use 0000 steel wool or a 3M abrasive pad. You could also use EvapoRust but that is more expensive. If the cross guard is made of wood, be careful not to damage it with the steel wool or pad. Sincerely, RobT

Today, 02:46 AM	#9
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 550	Thanks Ian Ian, Thanks for the information. I didn't know that khodmi just meant knife. Good to know. Sincerely, RobT

15th June 2025, 12:54 PM	#3
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Hello Donna, Welcome to the forum! For confident identification of your knife, we will need more pictures. Details are best observed on a plain background, with full length views of each side, and close-ups of the hilt and blade.

15th June 2025, 03:23 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,213	Hello Donna, It's a recent to vintage Bou Saadi knife from Algeria. Try the search word "Bou Saadi" and you will find several threads which will show similar knives. Regards, Detlef

Today, 12:27 AM	#6
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,285	welcome Donna! Thank you for posting! As Detlef and Rob have noted, this is basically a BOU SAADI knife, indeed from tribal peoples in Algeria and of course throughout contiguous regions. The term 'khodmi' also seems to apply, but honestly the terms might apply to the same form, those with more knowledge on these could clarify. While not remarkably old, perhaps about mid 20thc. or somewhat earlier, with ethnographic forms like this, they represent forms of weapon in use often for countless generations in these regions. What is exciting is the colorful history which complements these kinds of weapon regardless of age. The same kinds of knives were in use by Berber tribes during times of the French Foreign Legion and other forces in 19th century well into 20th. Careful and restrained cleaning as noted with WD40, some wood oil.

Today, 12:53 AM	#7
werecow Member Join Date: Sep 2021 Location: Leiden, NL Posts: 570	The cross on my example was made of wood.

Today, 02:40 AM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,399	Just a reminder of information found elsewhere on this site. The word khodmi is simply Algerian for "knife." Bou saadi means "coming from Bou Saada" in Algeria. Khodmi bou saadi = knife from Bou Saada. It says nothing about the blade (curved or straight) or hilt style. Of course there are broad patterns of each that define the cultural norms for the area, but the terms offered are very broad and focus on where the item was likely made.

Today, 06:04 AM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,213	See also here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=25268