Zirah Bouk/ Pesh Kabz

[archer]

I just got this item and it may well have been recently made. It appears to have two separate wootz? patterns joined by scarfing. The blade is about seven inches long. Your thoughts on age, etc.
Regards,
Steve

Sorry photos were too big! I'll reduce them. It's hard to get patterns to show as blade isn't etched.

[Gavin Nugent]

Pictures will help when you can.

regards

Gav

[Atlantia]

Hi Archer,

Looks like a nice piece. Close-ups of the laminations in the blade would be useful.

Gene

[Gavin Nugent]

I like the hilt very much too, can you post good images of it too.

thanks

Gav

[Atlantia]

Sorry Archer, need more and clearer towards the fron end of the blade.

I'm not sure it looks like wootz, but it doesn't look brand new to me either. It doe look like a good one though!

[rand]

Hey Steve,

You dagger looks good to me and shows genuine age on the ivory grip scales and blade. Is a bit difficult from the photo's, but is there a grapes and vine decoration on the tang bands? If so thats fairly datable for a general time period. As Gene siad you can definately see a delamination line.

rand

[archer]

Hi Rand, Seems all decoration is floral. I particularly like the hook at blade tip and the fact the diamond shape is 1/2 inch thick by 1 inch. I'll have to try for some outside photos soon it's snowy out. Thank you all for present and future input. Steve

[ALEX]

I agree with Atlantia and Rand. It does not look new. The metal between gold is well patinated, the handle (ivory?) looks definitely old, and on the second from the top image I can clearly see a pattern, which does look like wotz. Well done! Nice dagger.

Also, the line on the ridge can indicate a fold line, not necessarily that two (different) panels of steel were merged. The etching can confirm it.

[Battara]

Yes, the koftgari is of a quality unmatched even today. In addition is has wear and the ivory aging, well, all says old. Someone may have "cleaned" the blade. Closeups of the blade would be nice. Great puppy.

[Richard Furrer]

I can not see pattern on the blade (other than the seam..whatever may have caused it), but there is a form called Kamara which is wootz on one side and pattern-weld on the other....I saw several while in India.
I have not made one yet, but will..

Ric