AFGHAN KNIFE ?

[Royston]

I bought this at a fair last weekend.

O/A length 15 ins
Blade 10 1/2 ins.
Hilt is antler.
Scabbard is wood with 2 copper bands.

Very heavy T-shaped bade.
My first thought was that it is a cut down Khyber knife, but I think the spine is too curved for that so I am going to say that it was made this way. I am still proposing Afghan until someone corrects me :D

I have never seen one like this before.
Anyone got a suggestion on origin or something like it ?

Regards
Roy

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

I bought this at a fair last weekend.

O/A length 15 ins
Blade 10 1/2 ins.
Hilt is antler.
Scabbard is wood with 2 copper bands.

Very heavy T-shaped bade.
My first thought was that it is a cut down Khyber knife, but I think the spine is too curved for that so I am going to say that it was made this way. I am still proposing Afghan until someone corrects me :D

I have never seen one like this before.
Anyone got a suggestion on origin or something like it ?

Regards
Roy

Salaams~ Looks Indian methinks. South India. Going towards Piha Kaetta country...
Regards Ibrahiim al Balooshi

[ariel]

Traditionally, it's called Kerala knife.

[AJ1356]

It is newly made for the tourist market. This one seems to have been made with a little more care than most I have seen.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Traditionally, it's called Kerala knife.


Salaams Ariel ~ Thanks; I had forgotten the name ... I was just having breakfast is a Kerela restaurant here in Buraimi ... I should have known the name... Thanks.

After note please see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showthread.php?t=907&highlight=KERALA+KNIFE

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Royston]

Thanks Gentlemen

This would appear to be it. I knew some of you would know what it is.

Regards
Roy

[A.alnakkas]

Yep, a decent Kerala knife but dont think its touristy. Looks like a real thing :D

[Richard G]

Hm, I'm still not so sure. I agree the blade has the profile of a Kerala knife, but does the hilt? Isn't this sort of cleft "pommel" associated either with somewhere like the Balkans or something derived from a shasqua.
Has anyone seen this type of hilt on a knife that is indisputably keralan? Otherwise I would suggest Afghanistan is still a possiblity, or even further north into the other Central Asian "...stans".
Regards
Richard
PS. the top ferrule also rather reminds me of those often found on the scabbards of kindjals.

[Royston]

Richard

You have a good point.

I have been looking through all my books and the web. As you say, all the Kerala knives have a prominently hooked / beaked pommel.

AJ - I disagree about it being newly made for the tourist market. I realise that it is not ancient, but it has some age about it. It is also well made, very heavy and solid, not something you normally associate with tourist items.

Regards
Roy

[Jens Nordlunde]

Ok, Richard is right.
This blade form may have been used in many places, like in Kerala, but this hilt form has nothing to do with this area - it is NW.
Jens