Really Good kindjals - where are they ?

Rivkin · 11th December 2004, 04:51 PM

Well, I have dozen or so kindjals with a real damascus pattern - turkish star night, burly pattern etc. Scabbards are very inexpensive, but the blades are the real beauty, through I strongly suspect 25% of them can be etchings, but others - it's physically impossible to etch starry damascus.

Getting them was tough, and involved in most cases personal contacts. I hope to post some pictures soon.

Lee · 11th December 2004, 05:21 PM

Does anyone know where would this be from?

Rivkin · 11th December 2004, 05:45 PM

Damn it. Here we are posing as experience collectors, and Mr.Jones comes with his dagger that is surely a better one.

It's from Dagestan, made most likely by Lak master, can be that master worked outside of Dagestan, but it's unlikely. The date I would guess 1860 and may be a little bit up.

P.S. Sorry for the direct question, but where did you get it ? It seems to be a VERY good piece.

Rivkin · 11th December 2004, 05:46 PM

Yet again, as in my experience - the hilt and scabbard are usually simplistic.

Jeff D · 11th December 2004, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rivkin

Yet again, as in my experience - the hilt and scabbard are usually simplistic.

Can someone refresh my memory? I thought I read that the weapons with plain wood hilts were considered tools and not taxed or taken by the Russians / Ottoman, while the ornate hilts where considered weapons instead of tools and were. I can't for the life of me remember where (or even if i read this).

Thanks
Jeff

Rivkin · 11th December 2004, 07:48 PM

It's true in some sence, however there is a different reason for the fact that most damascus blades have simple hilts - they were made prior to 1860, prior to the point when Kubachi hilts and scabbards became "must have" in order to sell it.

Yannis · 11th December 2004, 08:01 PM

Ariel

You have right that late 19th century kindjal became more asthetic than useful objects. But they still could kill someone in close combat or tavern fight. It is the same that happened to yataghans, cretan knifes etc.

We know from history books that some greek guerillas till the end of WWII had swords and big knifes and they USED them in battles.

Dr Jones

Thank you for the picture. It is amazing. Any other damascus kindjal?

11th December 2004, 05:21 PM	#2
Lee EAAF Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Location: Upstate New York, USA Posts: 967	Pattern-Welded Qama or Kindjal? Does anyone know where would this be from?

11th December 2004, 04:51 PM	#1
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Well, I have dozen or so kindjals with a real damascus pattern - turkish star night, burly pattern etc. Scabbards are very inexpensive, but the blades are the real beauty, through I strongly suspect 25% of them can be etchings, but others - it's physically impossible to etch starry damascus. Getting them was tough, and involved in most cases personal contacts. I hope to post some pictures soon.

11th December 2004, 05:45 PM	#3
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Damn it. Here we are posing as experience collectors, and Mr.Jones comes with his dagger that is surely a better one. It's from Dagestan, made most likely by Lak master, can be that master worked outside of Dagestan, but it's unlikely. The date I would guess 1860 and may be a little bit up. P.S. Sorry for the direct question, but where did you get it ? It seems to be a VERY good piece.

11th December 2004, 05:46 PM	#4
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	Yet again, as in my experience - the hilt and scabbard are usually simplistic.

11th December 2004, 07:48 PM	#6
Rivkin Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 655	It's true in some sence, however there is a different reason for the fact that most damascus blades have simple hilts - they were made prior to 1860, prior to the point when Kubachi hilts and scabbards became "must have" in order to sell it.

11th December 2004, 08:01 PM	#7
Yannis Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Athens Greece Posts: 479	Ariel You have right that late 19th century kindjal became more asthetic than useful objects. But they still could kill someone in close combat or tavern fight. It is the same that happened to yataghans, cretan knifes etc. We know from history books that some greek guerillas till the end of WWII had swords and big knifes and they USED them in battles. Dr Jones Thank you for the picture. It is amazing. Any other damascus kindjal?