Khanjar Omani?

Jens Nordlunde · 30th May 2019, 04:41 PM

Unfortunately I cant help with an answer, but I am surprised the no one has tried to help.

Bob A · 30th May 2019, 07:55 PM

Khanjar, jambiyya :: tomato, tomahto

Whatever one chooses to call it, it's a very handsome piece. The nailhead decoration is well executed and attractive. The hilt looks like horn, but I can't really tell anything from the photo. Might even be rhino?

You will have to be the judge regarding cleaning/polishing, but I tend to lightly remove tarnish without getting extreme about digging into cracks and crevices. I've seen some completely black jambiya sheaths, and find them distressing. Making an old piece look new again is a bit insulting to my mind, but others will perhaps differ. I clean the projecting bits, and try to keep the item in an environment that slows or prevents further tarnishing.

I have an Omani khanjar that was presented to a British Lt Col by the Sultan; it is perhaps not terribly uncommon. I'd be curious to hear others' opinions on this.

rockelk · 30th May 2019, 09:35 PM

Thanks, I appreciate the input. rm

francantolin · 31st May 2019, 06:21 AM

Hello,
Really nice hilt with all these small nails !!!

Can you put a clear close up picture of the hilt ?

It seems horn ( maybe wood ?)
For rhino, the horn hilt is almost translucent.
You can test it scratching ( just a little !!) / warm a needle and smell
...

mariusgmioc · 31st May 2019, 09:09 AM

This looks like a current production Omani khanjar to me. I have seen many like yours in the souks of Muscat and Nizwa. The hilt is almost certainly horn.
My two cents...
😁

ALEX · 31st May 2019, 11:33 AM

Agree with Marius. The hilt could be hardwood, hard to tell from photos. You may put the strong flashlight to the side of the hilt and see how translucent it is, if you see the light going through to the side(s) it is most likely horn. Rhino and some other horns are fibrous and the photos do not show it, perhaps it was polished(?). The blade appears to be of stamped constructions, which is normal on these Jambiyas. Overall, this Jambiya is of better than average quality, attractive and very well made. Do you see any inscriptions on it, perhaps on the back? It is in fine condition and clean, no need to polish much, just a slight oil rub should suffice. There are several Jambiya experts on this Forum and I reckon someone will add more substance soon.

rockelk · 31st May 2019, 05:33 PM

Thanks for the guidance.
I made a bright small hole flashlight a could get no appearance of translucence . The material may be of a very hard hardwood. with maximum pressure I could barely create a mark with my thumbnail. I went and pulled out a number of hardwood samples and would approximate the same results of color and hardness as with Guanacaste and/or teak. I am inclined to think that it is made of a wood with the color approaching amber. Photo attached. Regards, rm

rockelk · 31st May 2019, 06:15 PM

a request of a photo of the back and a close up of the back attached as suggested. Thanks, rm

30th May 2019, 09:35 PM	#3
rockelk Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Thanks Thanks, I appreciate the input. rm

31st May 2019, 05:33 PM	#7
rockelk Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Hilt image Thanks for the guidance. I made a bright small hole flashlight a could get no appearance of translucence . The material may be of a very hard hardwood. with maximum pressure I could barely create a mark with my thumbnail. I went and pulled out a number of hardwood samples and would approximate the same results of color and hardness as with Guanacaste and/or teak. I am inclined to think that it is made of a wood with the color approaching amber. Photo attached. Regards, rm Attached Images

31st May 2019, 06:15 PM	#8
rockelk Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Back of kindjar a request of a photo of the back and a close up of the back attached as suggested. Thanks, rm Attached Images

30th May 2019, 04:41 PM	#1
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,718	Unfortunately I cant help with an answer, but I am surprised the no one has tried to help.

30th May 2019, 07:55 PM	#2
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 436	Khanjar, jambiyya :: tomato, tomahto Whatever one chooses to call it, it's a very handsome piece. The nailhead decoration is well executed and attractive. The hilt looks like horn, but I can't really tell anything from the photo. Might even be rhino? You will have to be the judge regarding cleaning/polishing, but I tend to lightly remove tarnish without getting extreme about digging into cracks and crevices. I've seen some completely black jambiya sheaths, and find them distressing. Making an old piece look new again is a bit insulting to my mind, but others will perhaps differ. I clean the projecting bits, and try to keep the item in an environment that slows or prevents further tarnishing. I have an Omani khanjar that was presented to a British Lt Col by the Sultan; it is perhaps not terribly uncommon. I'd be curious to hear others' opinions on this.

31st May 2019, 06:21 AM	#4
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 905	Hello, Really nice hilt with all these small nails !!! Can you put a clear close up picture of the hilt ? It seems horn ( maybe wood ?) For rhino, the horn hilt is almost translucent. You can test it scratching ( just a little !!) / warm a needle and smell ...

31st May 2019, 09:09 AM	#5
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,911	This looks like a current production Omani khanjar to me. I have seen many like yours in the souks of Muscat and Nizwa. The hilt is almost certainly horn. My two cents... 😁

31st May 2019, 11:33 AM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Agree with Marius. The hilt could be hardwood, hard to tell from photos. You may put the strong flashlight to the side of the hilt and see how translucent it is, if you see the light going through to the side(s) it is most likely horn. Rhino and some other horns are fibrous and the photos do not show it, perhaps it was polished(?). The blade appears to be of stamped constructions, which is normal on these Jambiyas. Overall, this Jambiya is of better than average quality, attractive and very well made. Do you see any inscriptions on it, perhaps on the back? It is in fine condition and clean, no need to polish much, just a slight oil rub should suffice. There are several Jambiya experts on this Forum and I reckon someone will add more substance soon.