Jambiya. What is The Hilt Material?
 

So I have this piece for ages, always wanted to know more about the hilt. Can anyone advice on whats it made from?

Possibly Rhino?

Looks like horn--maybe rhino. That would be cool. :cool:

Definately rhino :)

Hah I hope so. I cant complain, this one has a nice gusbi blade!

Hoorai!

Its not too old, the hilt and scabbard atleast. The burning finish is still present on the hilt.

Now I know why its previous owner (who probably even wore it) wrote "ya Mahboba" on it which means: O beloved.

Great blade, great hilt material :D

Nice one indeed
 

Very nice, Lotfy, would you please explain about the burning process on the hilt?
Thanks, Steve

Hey Archer,

After they install the blade on the jambiya, they blow torch it or something. Not for long just a few quick passes probably to give the hilt a smooth surface.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBlOpDL2Hew

Its in Arabic, but you can see the full process and he even talks about blade types!

Burning process
 

Alright, a movie even in a different language is still worth a thousand words.
Thanks

I really hope it helps. Probably I can translate it later but dont know how to copy the vid and install subtitles to it.

Would be brilliant I think, especially with the idea I had about having voice translation... completely wasted due tobeing busy and.. laziness :D

Agree with Lew, rhino! Congrats Lotfy! :)

Rhino without a doubt! :D That is just an awesome blade. It looks huge! Is it?

- Thanks for sharing!


Best wishes, - Thor

How old is "not too old" for a jambiya ?

Best regards,
Willem

hey Willem,

Well there is no definitive answer but to me items coming for the 2nd half of the 20th century are not too old.

Hey Thor,

Its not that big, from hilt tip to blade tip its about 12 inches long. The blade is pretty awesome actually, called gusbi.

The gusbi blade is supposedly of the finer type according to that gentleman on the video.