My first Omani Khanjar

[blue lander]

The hilt looks more like the "Al Ahsa" khanjar, but the scabbard with the chequered wire looks more like the Asir style ones. I also wonder if the scabbard is really made out of silver, as it seems to have a greenish patina to it like copper or something.

Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon

And this is one of the best-shaped jambiya blades I have seen. The usual ones that look like a boomerang may be classic, but they don't seem functional like this one, perfectly curved and shaped for function. A beautiful blade! Everything else is dressing and thus for me secondary, although I very much appreciate decoration.

I love the blade shape too, it's very lean and functional looking as you say.

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by blue lander

The hilt looks more like the "Al Ahsa" khanjar, but the scabbard with the chequered wire looks more like the Asir style ones. I also wonder if the scabbard is really made out of silver, as it seems to have a greenish patina to it like copper or something.



I love the blade shape too, it's very lean and functional looking as you say.

Hard to comment on the scabbard material of your piece, but I can say that mine IS silver but also had that blue-ish oxidation on it when I first received it. Get an old toothbrush and some silver polish of some sort, and give it a good brushing.
I have to say that I had not noted the woven wire on your Jambiya. Mine does not have this feature. Always possible to have difference as often the scabbard was not made by the same person as the dagger itself (Refer Steve Gracie's book Daggers from the Ancient Souks of Yemen)
Stu

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

Hard to comment on the scabbard material of your piece, but I can say that mine IS silver but also had that blue-ish oxidation on it when I first received it. Get an old toothbrush and some silver polish of some sort, and give it a good brushing.
I have to say that I had not noted the woven wire on your Jambiya. Mine does not have this feature. Always possible to have difference as often the scabbard was not made by the same person as the dagger itself (Refer Steve Gracie's book Daggers from the Ancient Souks of Yemen)
Stu

Pretty well any decent scrubbing brush will work and you can start witrh soapy water ... or use toothpaste...that works nicely.

It seems that by default we are working up the differences with the al Ahsa Oasis weapon compared to the Omani of which I promote the three main differences viz;

1. The UUUUU design under the cuff just above the belt line. (though I seem to find the same design in the Asir...checking)
2. The slightly oversized Quba or crown.
3. The greater upturn on the scabbard.

I cannot attribute the criss cross weave below the belt as that is more the domain of the Asir style nor the small diamond rectangles as that is frequently reflected in Omani work.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[blue lander]

Thank you Mr. Ibrahiim for your comprehensive yet easily digestible context as always.

Does the somewhat atypical blade shape of my khanjar mean anything, either about age or it's regional origin?

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by blue lander

Thank you Mr. Ibrahiim for your comprehensive yet easily digestible context as always.

Does the somewhat atypical blade shape of my khanjar mean anything, either about age or it's regional origin?

Salaams Blue Lander, Excellent question! The shape of the blade?... thus in some ways the shape of the scabbard..though in itself that is a puzzle.

The blade is quite peculiar~ not only is it broad and flat and sharpened on both edges with a central ridge but it is curved. What I find more odd is its small tang and the use of pitch to secure the blade without pins. It is said that blades of this shape originated from a skinning weapon/ meat cutting blade. It makes sense to have a central strengthening ridge if the weapon is used in a strike or stabbing action so that the direction is maintained...and the point is reinforced by the central ridge.

I have not read a convincing support document yet on the odd shape of the scabbard which it is said could be linked to the shape of the bows of a dhow... or carries a hidden religious legend or could even be a further reference to the Rhino Horn...shape. I liked the latter potential link...but it is still one of those mysteries still pencilled into the margin.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Originally Posted by Ibrahiim al Balooshi

Pretty well any decent scrubbing brush will work and you can start witrh soapy water ... or use toothpaste...that works nicely.

It seems that by default we are working up the differences with the al Ahsa Oasis weapon compared to the Omani of which I promote the three main differences viz;

1. The UUUUU design under the cuff just above the belt line. (though I seem to find the same design in the Asir...checking)
2. The slightly oversized Quba or crown.
3. The greater upturn on the scabbard.

I cannot attribute the criss cross weave below the belt as that is more the domain of the Asir style nor the small diamond rectangles as that is frequently reflected in Omani work.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.

Salaams All...

I can now confirm that the UUUUUU design just above the belt conforms also with dagger design in the Asir as below....where you can see one has broken off...six being often displayed. I also think the turned up scabbards in the Asir are equally dominant in form... and cannot be relied upon to determine one or the other.

I begin to adjust my view of the Al Ahsa dagger and consider more the hilt which seems to represent the bigger of the stylistic indicators... the studded decorated pommel top and the style of decoration to the Hilt face...as being typical in general of the Al Ahsa form.

It would appear that the Al Ahsa style is copied from the Muscat Khanjar and the Asir takes its design from the Saidiyyah item. The main differences stem from the differently applied and copied hilt decoration in each case.

A further indicator may be present on a number of daggers under revue which have a floral stamp on the reverse and are inscribed with the makers name...these appear on daggers that I suspect are from the flower men of Yemen in the Asir region whose daggers I am currently studying..Once completed I will report the findings here.

Regards,
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.