new jambiya name (( Lightning ))

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by A.alnakkas

Hey,

I've seen alot about these. The myth goes on to say that they are made of meteor iron which got hit by lightning... Well I have no idea how that may effect the balancing but I think it more got to do with a blacksmith that knows what hes doing :P

Interesting stuff, seems like the meteor metal story was part of the 'Bowie knife' myth as well. While these knives were profoundly fabled for thier deadly fighting properties, not sure if balancing was included. We also know that meteoric iron was well known in Indonesia in a number of kerises with material from the 17th century event in Jakarta (if recalling correctly) and in some degree this extraterrestrial metal was used, again do not recall the balance property.
I agree with your perspective in an extremely skilled blacksmith, and remain unaware of any gyroscopic properties in meteoric iron

[kahnjar1]

On any curve there must be a point of balance, dictated by the weight of each end. Unfortunately I can not access any of my long Jambiya at present to check this out, but I suspect that each will have a point at which it balances on the edge.
Maybe Lew could check out one of his to see if my theory is correct??
Regards Stu

[Lew]

Originally Posted by kahnjar1

On any curve there must be a point of balance, dictated by the weight of each end. Unfortunately I can not access any of my long Jambiya at present to check this out, but I suspect that each will have a point at which it balances on the edge.
Maybe Lew could check out one of his to see if my theory is correct??
Regards Stu

Stu

I already tried it with no luck. What I find interesting is that the dagger always seems to want to pop up on it's edge. Restless blade syndrome I guess .

[kahnjar1]

Originally Posted by Lew

Stu

I already tried it with no luck. What I find interesting is that the dagger always seems to want to pop up on it's edge. Restless blade syndrome I guess .

....interesting. Strong magnet???
As an aside I had seen that vid before but never gave it much thought. If Steve is watching he might have some ideas as his knowledge of (particularly) Yemeni daggers is vast. Would be interesting to know if he has ever seen this "in the flesh".
Stu

[David]

Well i don't think there is anything magnetic or magical about it. It is just good weight distribution. Belly dance swords balance on edge like this as well.

[Jim McDougall]

Originally Posted by David

Well i don't think there is anything magnetic or magical about it. It is just good weight distribution. Belly dance swords balance on edge like this as well.

I had some bizarre dejavu thoughts recalling the belly dancing sword discussions here it seems lifetimes ago! Thanks very much for the correction on the Indonesian event, I hadnt checked the dates and did not recall correctly.

[David]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

I had some bizarre dejavu thoughts recalling the belly dancing sword discussions here it seems lifetimes ago! Thanks very much for the correction on the Indonesian event, I hadnt checked the dates and did not recall correctly.

No problem Jim. The belly dance swords was on my mind because i was just shooting belly dancers last night.
I don't recall the thread. Is it worth looking up...

[David]

Originally Posted by Jim McDougall

Interesting stuff, seems like the meteor metal story was part of the 'Bowie knife' myth as well. While these knives were profoundly fabled for thier deadly fighting properties, not sure if balancing was included. We also know that meteoric iron was well known in Indonesia in a number of kerises with material from the 17th century event in Jakarta (if recalling correctly) and in some degree this extraterrestrial metal was used, again do not recall the balance property.
I agree with your perspective in an extremely skilled blacksmith, and remain unaware of any gyroscopic properties in meteoric iron

Yes, i do not think that the material (meteorite or otherwise) contributes to the balancing properties of the blade.
Jim, for the record the first known fall of a collected iron-bearing meteorite in the books is the Prambanan fall that was found in 1797. It is certainly possible that there were other off the record falls that were used in the manufacture of keris, but there is no old writings from the day that i know of that support it. So we only really have evidence to support the idea of keris made with meteoric ore at the very start of the 19th century.