Pesh Kabz

[AkaaliSingh]

How can one tell the difference between glass or crystal on handles? This boggles my mind :s The blade here looks to be pattern welded?

[mariusgmioc]

Originally Posted by AkaaliSingh

How can one tell the difference between glass or crystal on handles? This boggles my mind :s The blade here looks to be pattern welded?

Glass is homogeneous, crystal is not (meaning it has inclusions and some separation cracks between the crystalline planes) but NOT bubbles.

Glass on the other hand may show bubbles.

But for smaller pieces that is not always the case, as smaller pieces can be completely free from inclusions.

Another sign would be the way it lets the light pass through it. Under particular angles, under bright light, quartz will split the light and give a rainbow effect. Glass won't show this as it is amorphous and lets the light pass the same way no matter what angle.

But it is not easy.

There are other methods like measuring the electric conductivity (glass is excellent insulator, quartz is electric conductive), thermal conductivity, etc. But these methods need special measuring equipment.

Last, but not least there is the scratching test. Quartz is harder than glass so glass doesn't scratch quartz easily, while quartz scratches easily glass.

As with regards to the blade, the one of the Pesh-kabz is pattern welded and the one of the Khanjar is wootz.

[Tim Simmons]

I do not like it. I do not like the horns. They are weak in form and I do not believe any lapidist would do this, that is leave a gap between the head and horns. Besides that it lacks life for the effort. Sorry if I seem an old git.

[estcrh]

Originally Posted by Tim Simmons

I do not like it. I do not like the horns. They are weak in form and I do not believe any lapidist would do this, that is leave a gap between the head and horns. Besides that it lacks life for the effort. Sorry if I seem an old git.

The detail, realism, expression etc are up to the artist, there is quite a bit of range in the examples I know of.

[Miguel]

I would like to thank everyone for their interesting and most informative comments (even old gits the level of knowledge of some of the members of the forum never ceases to amaze me nor does the fact that it is so freely given, I really am most appreciative.
I had no idea of its age it was one of those impulse buys I saw it and just had to have it for the beautiful decoration and superb craftsmanship, I love it With regard to it`s age I would defer to your knowledge and experience.
For interest I have owned it for approx. 20 years. Thanks again for your comments.
Regards
Miguel