Big jambiya

ariel · 25th March 2007, 09:30 PM

This picture was in Elgood's book.
What puzzled me then and still puzzles me now it the orientation of all Jambiyas: the handles face left side of the body. If one looks at other pics in the same book, all of them show Jambiyas oriented to the left (as here), but they are all short like No.2 from the left. Unless the entire family and their servants were south-paws, this will make drawing the exceedingly long dagger very difficult.
Possibilities:
1. There must have been a reason for the leftward orientation ; was it special drawing technique? For example: with the right hand on the down side of the handle flip the jambiya to the right, then draw. This will be almost like a shashka or wakizashi cut: one movement for both the draw and the slash.
2. The negative was flipped.
Any ideas?

Michael Blalock · 25th March 2007, 10:37 PM

Every Arabian Penninsula jambiya I have ever seen is oriented this way, hooked or pointing to the right with the handle either vertical or to the left and the jambiy is drawn with the right hand with the thumb at the top of the handle. I would assume that there is enough flexibility in the belt of these long jambiyas that they can be twisted and the blade drawn with an upward motion. It might have to do with the dirty left hand and clean right hand issue. By the way, attached is a close-up of reportely the most valuable jambiya in yemen. I posted a photo of the owner Shiekh Ahmar wearing it in a previous post.

ariel · 26th March 2007, 12:11 AM

Is he putting it on E-Bay?

Michael Blalock · 26th March 2007, 02:33 AM

It belonged to Imam Ahmad who beheaded the Sheikh's father and brothers and held him as a hostage for several years, so I think he will keep it for sentimental reasons.

25th March 2007, 10:37 PM	#2
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	Every Arabian Penninsula jambiya I have ever seen is oriented this way, hooked or pointing to the right with the handle either vertical or to the left and the jambiy is drawn with the right hand with the thumb at the top of the handle. I would assume that there is enough flexibility in the belt of these long jambiyas that they can be twisted and the blade drawn with an upward motion. It might have to do with the dirty left hand and clean right hand issue. By the way, attached is a close-up of reportely the most valuable jambiya in yemen. I posted a photo of the owner Shiekh Ahmar wearing it in a previous post. Attached Images

25th March 2007, 09:30 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	This picture was in Elgood's book. What puzzled me then and still puzzles me now it the orientation of all Jambiyas: the handles face left side of the body. If one looks at other pics in the same book, all of them show Jambiyas oriented to the left (as here), but they are all short like No.2 from the left. Unless the entire family and their servants were south-paws, this will make drawing the exceedingly long dagger very difficult. Possibilities: 1. There must have been a reason for the leftward orientation ; was it special drawing technique? For example: with the right hand on the down side of the handle flip the jambiya to the right, then draw. This will be almost like a shashka or wakizashi cut: one movement for both the draw and the slash. 2. The negative was flipped. Any ideas?

26th March 2007, 12:11 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Is he putting it on E-Bay?

26th March 2007, 02:33 AM	#4
Michael Blalock Member Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: dc Posts: 271	It belonged to Imam Ahmad who beheaded the Sheikh's father and brothers and held him as a hostage for several years, so I think he will keep it for sentimental reasons.