Small jambiya/khanjar translucent handle.

Marc M. · 25th June 2025, 08:47 AM

Detlef, Robin and Gustav, thanks for your response. At first glance I did not suspect rhino horn but the light transmission is confusing. I found among the materials I have a piece of sheep/ram horn and a Turkish knife of probably the same material. Both are translucent.

Regards
Marc

Marc M. · 25th June 2025, 08:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Marc M.

Detlef, Robin and Gustav, thanks for your response. At first glance I did not suspect rhino horn but the light transmission is confusing. I found among the materials I have a piece of sheep/ram horn and a Turkish knife of probably the same material. Both are translucent.

Regards
Marc

Pictures.

Gonzoadler · 25th June 2025, 10:02 AM

Buffalo and ram horn can be translucent, too. To identify rhino you need to looking for the characteristical structure.

Regards
Robin

Peter Hudson · 26th June 2025, 01:07 AM

I have never seen a Rams horn Omani Khanjar hilt. Cow horn was a cheap alternative. The two main contenders were Rhino or Giraffe...usually from Zanzibar trade. ..often sourced by Omani traders and hunters working in Africa...funnelling horn from areas like the Great Lakes. The other main contender for expensive hilts was of course Elephant Ivory.
Cheaper wooden varieties included any wood available as the cheapest up to Sandalwood as the more expensive ...
On reflection and its just a thought the two materials in contention here are Rhino and Giraffe...In the old days these were expensive but quite difficult to differentiate...but on balance the translucent feature seems to indicate Rhino Horn although the pommel in this case seems not to show that ...as is sometimes the case but anyway my estimate is still on Rhino...
It would be nice to put a scabbard arround the example at Post 1 and then consider what sort of belt and accoutrements it would suit. As noted at 1 the short silver pins are visible in the light and a typical floral design etc is displayed in the example...

It is interesting to see the detail contained in the main Forum work on this subject The Omani Khanjar as this remains as the main go to reference for these weapons.
Regards, Peter Hudson.

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25th June 2025, 08:47 AM	#1
Marc M. Member Join Date: Aug 2019 Location: Belgium Posts: 294	Detlef, Robin and Gustav, thanks for your response. At first glance I did not suspect rhino horn but the light transmission is confusing. I found among the materials I have a piece of sheep/ram horn and a Turkish knife of probably the same material. Both are translucent. Regards Marc

25th June 2025, 10:02 AM	#3
Gonzoadler Member Join Date: Jun 2020 Location: Germany Posts: 272	Buffalo and ram horn can be translucent, too. To identify rhino you need to looking for the characteristical structure. Regards Robin

26th June 2025, 01:07 AM	#4
Peter Hudson Member Join Date: Jul 2020 Posts: 320	I have never seen a Rams horn Omani Khanjar hilt. Cow horn was a cheap alternative. The two main contenders were Rhino or Giraffe...usually from Zanzibar trade. ..often sourced by Omani traders and hunters working in Africa...funnelling horn from areas like the Great Lakes. The other main contender for expensive hilts was of course Elephant Ivory. Cheaper wooden varieties included any wood available as the cheapest up to Sandalwood as the more expensive ... On reflection and its just a thought the two materials in contention here are Rhino and Giraffe...In the old days these were expensive but quite difficult to differentiate...but on balance the translucent feature seems to indicate Rhino Horn although the pommel in this case seems not to show that ...as is sometimes the case but anyway my estimate is still on Rhino... It would be nice to put a scabbard arround the example at Post 1 and then consider what sort of belt and accoutrements it would suit. As noted at 1 the short silver pins are visible in the light and a typical floral design etc is displayed in the example... It is interesting to see the detail contained in the main Forum work on this subject The Omani Khanjar as this remains as the main go to reference for these weapons. Regards, Peter Hudson.