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Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 25th November 2011, 07:32 AM

The straight is a Sayf and the Curved is a Kattara.

Salaams All,

There have been a few bombshells on the thread so far... a bumpy ride but I hope worth it eventually. Here is another ~

From a very well informed source within the Omani historical documentation record..page 450 of Richardson and Dorr (The Bible on Omani artefacts) says ;

Quote "The majority of steel blades used in Omani weaponry are of foreign origin. As late as the mid 20thC, however, many high quality Omani blades were produced by itinerant "gypsy" smiths who travelled from town to town working to commission. Today gypsy blade-makers no longer ply their trade but the traditional hand forging of Omani blades persists in a small number of workshops located in Northern Oman and Musandam".Unquote.

I believe that is the historical equivalent of a custard pie !!

This could well explain why:

1. The fact that no 2 Straight Sayf blades are the same.
2. No sword workshops appear anywhere to date (except in the Musandam)
3. The ghost like appearance of blades without proof of production.
4. My tilting at windmills.

Having now achieved thus far some reasonable details I am still looking at several discrepancies and need to confirm if there was a second thinner blade to the older sword sometime in about the 17th C. Regards Ibrahiim

"The straight is a Sayf and the Curved is a Kattara".

25th November 2011, 07:32 AM	#156
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	The straight is a Sayf and the Curved is a Kattara. Salaams All, There have been a few bombshells on the thread so far... a bumpy ride but I hope worth it eventually. Here is another ~ From a very well informed source within the Omani historical documentation record..page 450 of Richardson and Dorr (The Bible on Omani artefacts) says ; Quote "The majority of steel blades used in Omani weaponry are of foreign origin. As late as the mid 20thC, however, many high quality Omani blades were produced by itinerant "gypsy" smiths who travelled from town to town working to commission. Today gypsy blade-makers no longer ply their trade but the traditional hand forging of Omani blades persists in a small number of workshops located in Northern Oman and Musandam".Unquote. I believe that is the historical equivalent of a custard pie !! This could well explain why: 1. The fact that no 2 Straight Sayf blades are the same. 2. No sword workshops appear anywhere to date (except in the Musandam) 3. The ghost like appearance of blades without proof of production. 4. My tilting at windmills. Having now achieved thus far some reasonable details I am still looking at several discrepancies and need to confirm if there was a second thinner blade to the older sword sometime in about the 17th C. Regards Ibrahiim "The straight is a Sayf and the Curved is a Kattara".