Khanjar on eBay
 

i've been watching this for awhile. i almost bid on it but wasn't quite sure if it's the 'tourist' type or not. i thought it was pretty, tho...

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...e=STRK:MEWA:IT

comments?

In my opinion it is a new indian made knife. But it has some quality that usual "tourist" pieces dont have.

Nice use of silver, well made koftgari. But the damascus looks etched, not real.

I am certain it is new. Personally, I would not touch it: I have a principled objection to the replicas.
If one needs a working blade , one should get a practical modern one. It can be done in a manner of a traditional sword if one wants to learn specific techniques, do martial arts etc.
If one collects, one should get an authentically-old one: the history aspect is paramount and, of course, one would not use it for cutting practice.
Yeah, yeah, I 've heard the arguments of preserving the tradition, maintaining old techniques etc. That's fine with me as long as these objects are clearly marked as contemporary and decorative . Sadly, this is not done in the majority of cases to confuse the prospective buyer into thinking that he is getting a real 18th century deal. Even with this proviso, I would do my best not to get contemporary imitations, no matter how pretty they are: they have no history behind them and leave me cold.

I totally agree with you on this, _but_:

what about modern masters working in old traditions ? should kubachi and circassians stop making kindjals because sometimes they get sold as "early XIX century" ones ?