Shafra What are They?

[Lew]

Picked this up today. What are they used for?

[kahnjar1]

Hi Lew,
There was an extensive post about these recently I think. They are a "utility" knife which go behind the Khanjar of Oman, and probably behind the Jambiya of western arabia, but I have not seen one on a western scabbard.
Pic attached of an Omani Khanjar I have with Shafra.
Stu
Here is the thread I was thinking about.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=6355&highlight=silver+mounted+file+knife

[Steve]

Guys,
In looking at what the shafra knives are, and what they were used for, it's interesting to look at the other bedouin knives - the Al Khusa ( about 12 inches long) and the Al Huardhi ( mini Khusa). Page 80 of Elgoods " Arms and Armour of Arabia".
These knives were worn by the bedouin in the eastern part of the arabian peninsula and were just tucked into their belt or shoulder bandolier. It is stated the Khusa was used for defense ( read human throat cutting) and for cutting the throat of gazelle, sheep, camels etc.
The Huardhi was used for cutting the throat of small game birds. No vegetarians in the desert?

Steve

PS forgive the poor quality Huardhi in the picture as some of small spacer rings of bone in the handle have broken and dropped out. However the two knives came togther as a set.

[Lew]

The shafra arrived today and it is of very nice quality the blade was a bit over cleaned but still a very nice example. Here are some better pics.

[Battara]

I like the chasing work on the hilt and the engraving on the blade.