where the heck is this from?

kronckew · 21st November 2018, 09:03 AM

Mine. Some vendors are selling these as medieval eating knives. They are being made still. They are also called khodmi, if you search here there are a gazillion threads on them...

rickystl · 22nd November 2018, 03:15 PM

Hello All

Here is my well used Khodmi. Although it is still solid and sharp for use.

My main area of collecting are Ethno guns. But I do have a few blades. So I thought I thought I would use this Thread to ask you blade experts a question:

It appears that most of this style of Algerian knife have a hole in the handle. I assume this is for a leather lanyard (?) But I find it curious the hole is in the middle of the handle, rather than the end. You would think that would interfere with the finger grip. But maybe I'm missing something ? Any ideas ? Thanks.

Rick

ariel · 22nd November 2018, 08:26 PM

Algerians surgically removed their middle fingers at 13 yo, at the same time with circumcision.
First, it eliminated interference with gripping the handle of their Khodmis,
and second, it prevented them from flipping a finger to an occasional American tourist.

kronckew · 22nd November 2018, 10:31 PM

Actually the native population of the bou Saadi region are very small but wide, averaging 18 in. tall and these are actually swords, much like the dha, are used one handed, and guardless, so the lanyard is below the hand and the extra bit helps balance the sword. The surgical removal of the finger is a myth. They are all born without them. The women are known for their beauty and their silky blonde beards and violet eyes.

They are well known for their ferocious cavalry, equipped with these long cavalry khodmi swords and broad bladed lances, along with their highly intelligent and stealthy eohippus mounts, they also now use large bore .177 cal ak47 variants. Their mounts have been hiding for centuries (considered extinct by outsiders) and are extremely stealthy and make great mounts for Bou Saadi scouts, full size humans do not see them until it is too late. They are so good at it that reports that do exist are never believed. They do not let their men serve tho, they have to stay home and watch the children.

Blue lander has already posted a full length khodmi utility knife, almost a short sword, a 3in. langemesser (they are descendants of the germanic vandals that migrated to north africa.)

Kubur · 23rd November 2018, 05:50 PM

Here is mine with a nice Berber sheat.
Many of them were signed on the ricasso.
I will be very gratefull if someone (Ibraheem?) can translate mine...

kronckew · 23rd November 2018, 05:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kubur

...
Many of them were signed on the ricasso.
...

Like mine above

Sajen · 24th November 2018, 01:00 PM

Here mine two examples, think both are not very old, like Wayne already mentioned, they are still worked today so far I know.

Sajen · 24th November 2018, 01:03 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

Mine.

Very nice example Wayne!

Is the handle made from turtle shell?

Regards,
Detlef

kronckew · 24th November 2018, 01:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Very nice example Wayne!

Is the handle made from turtle shell?

Regards,
Detlef

No, It's wood,nicely patinated tho.

Sajen · 24th November 2018, 02:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

No, It's wood,nicely patinated tho.

Looks a little bit like this so I asked. Still very nice example!

rickystl · 24th November 2018, 02:31 PM

Nice examples guys. And the two funny posts LOL !!!! Rick.

kronckew · 25th November 2018, 11:02 AM

Just re-found examples sold as medieval eating knives

Sold blunt and undecorated, I'm guessing they are actually made in Pakistan "in the style of" real khodmi. They also used to sell a wood grip one too, guess they ran out.

Caveatr Emptor, as usual.

midelburgo · 26th November 2018, 10:11 AM

I have also a couple of those. What I found interesting is that looking closely they are made from old files, and I also read somewhere that old European discarded tools were exported to Africa because of the steel quality.

21st November 2018, 09:03 AM	#1
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Mine. Some vendors are selling these as medieval eating knives. They are being made still. They are also called khodmi, if you search here there are a gazillion threads on them... Attached Images

22nd November 2018, 03:15 PM	#2
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Hello All Here is my well used Khodmi. Although it is still solid and sharp for use. My main area of collecting are Ethno guns. But I do have a few blades. So I thought I thought I would use this Thread to ask you blade experts a question: It appears that most of this style of Algerian knife have a hole in the handle. I assume this is for a leather lanyard (?) But I find it curious the hole is in the middle of the handle, rather than the end. You would think that would interfere with the finger grip. But maybe I'm missing something ? Any ideas ? Thanks. Rick Attached Images

22nd November 2018, 08:26 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Algerians surgically removed their middle fingers at 13 yo, at the same time with circumcision. First, it eliminated interference with gripping the handle of their Khodmis, and second, it prevented them from flipping a finger to an occasional American tourist. Last edited by ariel; 23rd November 2018 at 04:03 AM.

22nd November 2018, 10:31 PM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Actually the native population of the bou Saadi region are very small but wide, averaging 18 in. tall and these are actually swords, much like the dha, are used one handed, and guardless, so the lanyard is below the hand and the extra bit helps balance the sword. The surgical removal of the finger is a myth. They are all born without them. The women are known for their beauty and their silky blonde beards and violet eyes. They are well known for their ferocious cavalry, equipped with these long cavalry khodmi swords and broad bladed lances, along with their highly intelligent and stealthy eohippus mounts, they also now use large bore .177 cal ak47 variants. Their mounts have been hiding for centuries (considered extinct by outsiders) and are extremely stealthy and make great mounts for Bou Saadi scouts, full size humans do not see them until it is too late. They are so good at it that reports that do exist are never believed. They do not let their men serve tho, they have to stay home and watch the children. Blue lander has already posted a full length khodmi utility knife, almost a short sword, a 3in. langemesser (they are descendants of the germanic vandals that migrated to north africa.) Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 22nd November 2018 at 11:02 PM.

23rd November 2018, 05:50 PM	#5
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Here is mine with a nice Berber sheat. Many of them were signed on the ricasso. I will be very gratefull if someone (Ibraheem?) can translate mine... Attached Images

24th November 2018, 01:00 PM	#7
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,165	Here mine two examples, think both are not very old, like Wayne already mentioned, they are still worked today so far I know. Attached Images

24th November 2018, 02:31 PM	#11
rickystl Member Join Date: Jul 2010 Location: St. Louis, MO area. Posts: 1,630	Nice examples guys. And the two funny posts LOL !!!! Rick.

25th November 2018, 11:02 AM	#12
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,216	Just re-found examples sold as medieval eating knives Sold blunt and undecorated, I'm guessing they are actually made in Pakistan "in the style of" real khodmi. They also used to sell a wood grip one too, guess they ran out. Caveatr Emptor, as usual. Attached Images

26th November 2018, 10:11 AM	#13
midelburgo Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 264	I have also a couple of those. What I found interesting is that looking closely they are made from old files, and I also read somewhere that old European discarded tools were exported to Africa because of the steel quality.