The Omani Khanjar

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Possibly one of the nicer khanjars I have viewed this week . Its a Nizwani (of Nizwa) and has a zraf hindi hilt...a misnomer... (Giraffe African) Hammered into the horn adding weight and design are silver and brass pins in a geometric design.This weapons scabbard has a silver sheet backing it below the belt which is just visible. The newer chain dangling off one edge may have any accouterments on it such as the tweezers or a tobacco pouch in silver with silver pipe.. It has the crossed swords and khanjar at centre on a button. The emblem of Oman... Thus the chain is post about 1970.

It has two replacement linkages holding it to the belt...which is a standard leather with slver wire stitching . I dont like the linkages ! but they are now acceptable. The scabbard shows wear under the silver weaving probably termite in places.. and I think there's glue holding the weave together but it will last a few more years then maybe a refit.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

A couple of Royal Khanjars to compare. Sheherazad really set a standard with this very ornate hilt and it was only the hilt that she re modelled. The scabbard is or was a typical design of what was the Muscat Khanjar. Indian design is prevalent in her hilt pattern to brighten up the day of her husband; Saiid Sultan ...also known as Saiid the Great...Thus was born The Saiidi Khanjar...or The Royal Khanjar. in about 1830.

Generally I tend to advise collectors to avoid this style as it is the one most copied for the tourist and gift market but in one picture here you can see that this is a serious Khanjar outlet with rows of weapon parts for buyers to see.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

THE COLOUR RANGE IN ZRAF HINDI HILTS.

These two OMANI khanjars illustrate the colour range of Giraffe Horn. The material accepts silver pins without cracking and is now often seen on these weapons despite the danger of the diminishing of animals in the wild.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Blades are an interesting subject these days with all manner of items entering the system ...the incidence of wootz looking blades is on the increase from as far afield as Russia... and simply called Russi.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

This Omani Khanjar displays a famous pattern internationally renowned from the Scottish Paisley Tie design taken from the Indian "Miri Bota" leaf pattern as in the textile displayed below.

I would probably have the blade cleaned up and the dark marks on the cuff polished off or cleaned with toothpaste..The hilt is Giraffe..

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Silver goes almost black with age and patina ..This one is developing age nicely ...but dont worry as it quickly returns after cleaning ... Heres a Rhino Hilt on a well balanced Khanjar set up.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

At last a sensible alternative to Rhino and Giraffe .OLIVE WOOD..Discovered as a brilliant hilt for Khanjars; accepting dense silver pins and a beautiful polish ...In a report in The Oman Observer 27/01/2018 Ray Petersen stated;
Quote"The wood of the olive tree, known by its botanical name of Olea Europaea, has become the latest ‘must have’ men’s fashion accessory according to Nizwa silver craftsman, and businessman, Daoud Al Tiwani. Due to restricted supplies of ivory and horn, in particular, Tiwani was drawn to using olive wood in the manufacture of his business’s amazing traditional khanjars quite by accident. He was using some windfall olive wood for traditional canes when he discovered tone of the polishing processes offered an astounding depth of color and emphasized the grain, which is the natural pattern and direction of the wood, to an amazingly appealing degree."Unquote.