According the Ministry of Information in Oman, and what locals always told me in the UAE, the 7 ring is the more valued form. I guess that means that modern ones are more frequently made in that style, but I can say with certainty that even the new ones are often "authentic" in that they are made just like the old ones -- apart from the blade, of course. Most new ones have cheap blades made from two pieces of cut metal stamped together. But then again, most old ones have replacement blades as well.
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