Khyber Knife / Hilt Material?
 

Gents,

here is a Khyber knife that I received from a forum member - Thanks again!
I have tried to determine the hilt material but am still uncertain.
The hot needle method did not really work.
It is probably a matter of experience to tell the difference between bone and ivory?
Thanks for any advice!

Best,
taube.

More photos.

Hi Taube,

the handle seems to be from bone, maybe camel bone, you can see it in up by the porousness. Nice Khyber knife! :)

Best regards,
Detlef

I would try to clean & polish the hilt, then have a much clearer picture.

From what you posted, I tend to agree with Detlef. So I think it is bone.

Agree with the two earlier posts--bone.

Ian

Bone.
First, at the top of the pommel you can see the inner structure of the long bone: that's where the bone marrow resides.
Second, you can see short dark lines at the surface: periosteal blood vessels.




I think it is a later one, end of 19 to first half of 20 century: chape looks very "regulation-like"

Thanks everybody!

There is obviouisly a biological aspect with collecting blades.
Need to brush up my knowledge here, it seems.

From what I read, bone should smell like burnt hair when touched with a hot needle.
Ivory is supposed to be neutral in smell?

I am reluctant to clean the item.
Personally, I prefer keeping things as untouches as possible.
Seeing and feeling the age is fascinating.

Taube,

Do save yourself hot needle tests, there is more than enough knowledge here to ID hilt types. I think goat bone would have been more common than camel.

Gavin

IN AFGHANISTAN HUMAN BONE WOULD BE MORE COMMON GIVEN ITS HISTORY BUT I NEVER HEARD OF THEM USING IT.
I AGREE BONE BUT DUE TO THE THICKNESS LIKELY FROM A LARGER ANIMAL, HORSE, CAMEL OR COW. THE PROBLEM WITH THE NEW LAWS IS WE CAN TELL THE DIFFERENCE BUT THOSE HIRED TO INSPECT NOT SO MUCH. JUST TO BE SAFE THEY WILL LIKELY DECLARE EVERYTHING OLD OR NEW THAT IS WHITE AND HARD TO BE IVORY AND NEEDING TO BE DESTROYED.

Burnt ivory and bone smell similar. Ivory is a little more pungent. Think of the smell when a scary dentist drills your teeth :eek: :eek: :eek: :eek:

I vote bone too.......

definatley bone,not sure what sort though nice thing

I agree with Vandoo... This could be camel bone . Note the way it appears to form straws at the ends but not so well defined as Rhino and not as refined as Ivory...See other examples...http://pages.uoregon.edu/ftrock/bones.html :)