Arabian sword, new or old? opinions please

M.carter · 4th April 2005, 09:38 PM

Hello Eftihis,

Your sword seems almost identical to mine! Although mine seems to be fairly new (the scabbard had this silver blackness (I really dont know what its called, like soot, it went away after rubbing it with some Silvo)), the blade on your sword seems to have seen sharpening, and maybe even use (why not?, beduoins of arabia still used them up to the early 20th century, royal bodyguards of the Al-Saud's carry them everywere they go!). I must say the hilt on yours looks better than mine (i dont like the look of rivets).

I wouldnt call these swords as tourist items (besides, whats in Saudi Arabia for tourism anyway?!

). The low-quality syrian versions of these are certainly tourist items (this is not saying Syrian work is junk, some Syrian peices ive seen I think are the best blades the middle east can offer these days), you find them all over the middle east, but these Saudi swords are quite rare, even in the middle east for three things: 1. Few are made, 2. They are hard to trade and transport (swords are illegal in most ME countries), 3. They can be quite expensive, especially if you get one with pure gold fittings and ivory hilt slabs.

4th April 2005, 09:38 PM	#6
M.carter Member Join Date: Jan 2005 Posts: 176	Hello Eftihis, Your sword seems almost identical to mine! Although mine seems to be fairly new (the scabbard had this silver blackness (I really dont know what its called, like soot, it went away after rubbing it with some Silvo)), the blade on your sword seems to have seen sharpening, and maybe even use (why not?, beduoins of arabia still used them up to the early 20th century, royal bodyguards of the Al-Saud's carry them everywere they go!). I must say the hilt on yours looks better than mine (i dont like the look of rivets). I wouldnt call these swords as tourist items (besides, whats in Saudi Arabia for tourism anyway?! ). The low-quality syrian versions of these are certainly tourist items (this is not saying Syrian work is junk, some Syrian peices ive seen I think are the best blades the middle east can offer these days), you find them all over the middle east, but these Saudi swords are quite rare, even in the middle east for three things: 1. Few are made, 2. They are hard to trade and transport (swords are illegal in most ME countries), 3. They can be quite expensive, especially if you get one with pure gold fittings and ivory hilt slabs.