Jambiya Questions

[archer]

First of all what is the hard wax-like adhesive used to mount blades to hilts?
I've seen, one pin, or two. Then there is this vintage, amateurish, attempt at fixing a blade I assume with extra pins two appear to be aluminum. the knife appears to be Kurdish.

What shape of tang is usually involved, or are the blades just implanted and glued in the hilt material?

[Battara]

In the old days black pitch was often used to hold blades into the hilts. Yes this is Kurdish. Nice wootz.

[archer]

Thank you Battara, I'm familiar with the gritty pitch mixture used with Moro handles. This has a dark color that blends with most horn, its a smooth, hard and waxy material. This "glue" in my limited experience is used mainly on Jambiya vs. the hard borax on Persian daggers. It's like the hot melt glue used years ago for fishing rod furrels and broad heads on wooden arrows. I think that the proper glue will complete the repair.
Steve

[archer]

Lapidary suppliers have a cabbing wax in black, that is a perfect match and very hard and strong. They use it to hold stones such as opal, sapphire, etc. to a dopstick for grinding a very ancient method.