Jambiya question

[Sajen]

Dear members,
I have a simple question for the experts. I've handled a lot of edged weapons, but with very rare exceptions, I've always avoided Yemeni jambiyas, firstly because I'm not familiar with them, and secondly because I've noticed that some have hollow blades, meaning the blade consists of two pressed sheets of iron soldered together. I simply wanted to know if this is common, especially in older pieces. The blades usually have a pronounced central ridge; does this also occur in forged blades?
Some information on the subject is given here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=jambiya

Regards,
Detlef

[Tim Simmons]

Glad you brought this up.

I have the same Jambiya somewhat ridiculed in the link. The blade on mine has a slight difference in curve. Nice steel with fine edges, 5mm thick at the forte of a much less prominant midrib. Horn handle. Clearly coming from the same workshop where the decorated metal on the scabbard has been hammered into the same matrix , which I imagine has been carved into a fine hardword like boxwood , used for fine wood engraving. Possibly metal dies too. Has been shown before and said to be Indian made. I could see a slight nod to Kashmir on the handle plates. However being from the same workshop and a distinctive style surely there must be sombody that can give better information. You really could use this blade to hurt people. A question, are all forms of these from "Arabia" to use a catch all phrase known?