The Omani Khanjar

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 6th September 2019, 05:34 PM

Another Khanjar example...Khanjars are available in single double or triple combinations depending how much you want to spend and a vast choice of matched belts can be made ...Here are a few short belt selection which would be matched with a long belt …

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 7th September 2019, 04:52 PM

This is a first. I have never seen such a straight forward Omani Dhakiliyyah (Interior) new Khanjar. The architecture is superb, precise and exact for a working dagger. No decoration other than the basics...simple yet effective.. Everything right historically here … even a simple belt. Whoever made this weapon knows his Interior style.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 11th September 2019, 03:48 PM

A most unusual looking Khanjar. So what is it?

This is a 4 ringer Omani Khanjar from Muscat. Remember that it was the hilt that marked the style as "Royal" ...Which this is! The body is constructed using silver wound and gold wound cord plus some silver decoration. The hilt is Busaidi form ...Thus a Royal Khanjar.

Edster · 11th September 2019, 11:19 PM

Ibrahiim,

Thank you so much for sharing these magnificent khanjars. They are truly works of art not just ethnographic weapons. It seems that their quality has increased over time. I have a few questions that would enhance my appreciation of them.

What % silver alloy is used?

Are the blades, while excellent, considered a commodity, as the vehicle that gives the silver work a weapon quality?

Range of man-hours to make a complete first-class outfit: grip, scabbard and belt?

Range of retail prices for the complete first-class outfit?

Market? Omanis or export to Gulf states or local visitors? I imagine that they would be a prestige item to be worn only on special occasions as opposed to daily dress.

Does Oman have any regulations to prohibit, control or otherwise manage the importation and use of giraffe horn?

Best regards,
Ed

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 12th September 2019, 02:47 PM

Salaams Ed Great questions and here goes~

The Silver is highest grade obtainable and used to be around the 92% which was why they used Maria Theresa Thalers melted down . The other source is silver on the international market again of the highest quality. They import a lot from China but also have their own mines at Sohar .. Megan ...Silver extracted as they dig out copper … Ingots can be purchased there and again top quality stuff . The other source has always been traditionally from a ladys dowry when she dies and since that is always 100% top quality it was a way of retaining a degree of purity in silver. Silver when it is mixed with other metals is dull and lifeless but harder and lasts longer . Pure silver goes into a patina all of its own as it oxidises fast.

CITES is in effect here and the rules are strict for use of hilt material. It amazes me why more use is not made of mammoth and other excellent materials and I am just about to show a white material composite fibrous ceramic that looks and feels like Ivory and takes all the pins like the real thing. Regretably not everyone will take notice of the dwindling stocks of these wild animals. Giraffe horn comes off dead adult African giraffes usually fully grown adult males. The fact is they are protected in law.

Price I cant speak about but the top makers can demand high end valuations and any that are low priced are usually not original Omani crafted..It is quite incredible that the main tools are still a six inch nail and a toffee hammer!

Usually make time is about a month ...It varies on the degree of decoration...The maker will make the belt and scabbard and hilt but may also farm out parts to other makers so you can have a master scabbard maker and a belt maker a hundred or more miles apart... The maker just puts them together although there are makers that can do the whole thing themselves.

The Blade is the most important part. The inspection of a blade looks quite ridiculous ! Taste smell musical note when struck !! So far as I can tell all blades are imported. It is said that meteorite metal is the best ...though not easy to find?

New products include Russian blades nicely made in some type of wootz or even only a surface decoration ?

Most Omani Khanjars go to the demand in Oman as other countries close by have their own styles like UAE Bahrain Saudia and Yemen thus the tradition is very strong right here. Naturally the network of Arabian style souks presents Omani work around the region but its best market is right here at home. Millions of tourists also have a massive world market effect.

The weapon is Iconic and the badge of office of Omani heads of family thus can be worn at any time for any occasion by heads of state or men of any age including Eids, weddings, tribal and other meetings or just worn to go down the souk...

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 12th September 2019, 03:13 PM

A note here in support of new materials for hilts where I show a poly ceramic form that looks exactly like Ivory and accepts silver nails in the same way without cracking and does not break when dropped.

Edster · 12th September 2019, 04:04 PM

Thanks for the thoughtful answers. They round out the khanjar's role within its social context.

Ibrahiim al Balooshi · 17th September 2019, 07:45 PM

Some thought has been put into the belt ...an old style to match this set.

6th September 2019, 05:34 PM	#1
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Another Khanjar example...Khanjars are available in single double or triple combinations depending how much you want to spend and a vast choice of matched belts can be made ...Here are a few short belt selection which would be matched with a long belt … Attached Images

7th September 2019, 04:52 PM	#2
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	This is a first. I have never seen such a straight forward Omani Dhakiliyyah (Interior) new Khanjar. The architecture is superb, precise and exact for a working dagger. No decoration other than the basics...simple yet effective.. Everything right historically here … even a simple belt. Whoever made this weapon knows his Interior style. Attached Images

11th September 2019, 03:48 PM	#3
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	A most unusual looking Khanjar. So what is it? This is a 4 ringer Omani Khanjar from Muscat. Remember that it was the hilt that marked the style as "Royal" ...Which this is! The body is constructed using silver wound and gold wound cord plus some silver decoration. The hilt is Busaidi form ...Thus a Royal Khanjar. Attached Images

11th September 2019, 11:19 PM	#4
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	Ibrahiim, Thank you so much for sharing these magnificent khanjars. They are truly works of art not just ethnographic weapons. It seems that their quality has increased over time. I have a few questions that would enhance my appreciation of them. What % silver alloy is used? Are the blades, while excellent, considered a commodity, as the vehicle that gives the silver work a weapon quality? Range of man-hours to make a complete first-class outfit: grip, scabbard and belt? Range of retail prices for the complete first-class outfit? Market? Omanis or export to Gulf states or local visitors? I imagine that they would be a prestige item to be worn only on special occasions as opposed to daily dress. Does Oman have any regulations to prohibit, control or otherwise manage the importation and use of giraffe horn? Best regards, Ed Last edited by Edster; 12th September 2019 at 02:09 AM.

12th September 2019, 02:47 PM	#5
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Salaams Ed Great questions and here goes~ The Silver is highest grade obtainable and used to be around the 92% which was why they used Maria Theresa Thalers melted down . The other source is silver on the international market again of the highest quality. They import a lot from China but also have their own mines at Sohar .. Megan ...Silver extracted as they dig out copper … Ingots can be purchased there and again top quality stuff . The other source has always been traditionally from a ladys dowry when she dies and since that is always 100% top quality it was a way of retaining a degree of purity in silver. Silver when it is mixed with other metals is dull and lifeless but harder and lasts longer . Pure silver goes into a patina all of its own as it oxidises fast. CITES is in effect here and the rules are strict for use of hilt material. It amazes me why more use is not made of mammoth and other excellent materials and I am just about to show a white material composite fibrous ceramic that looks and feels like Ivory and takes all the pins like the real thing. Regretably not everyone will take notice of the dwindling stocks of these wild animals. Giraffe horn comes off dead adult African giraffes usually fully grown adult males. The fact is they are protected in law. Price I cant speak about but the top makers can demand high end valuations and any that are low priced are usually not original Omani crafted..It is quite incredible that the main tools are still a six inch nail and a toffee hammer! Usually make time is about a month ...It varies on the degree of decoration...The maker will make the belt and scabbard and hilt but may also farm out parts to other makers so you can have a master scabbard maker and a belt maker a hundred or more miles apart... The maker just puts them together although there are makers that can do the whole thing themselves. The Blade is the most important part. The inspection of a blade looks quite ridiculous ! Taste smell musical note when struck !! So far as I can tell all blades are imported. It is said that meteorite metal is the best ...though not easy to find? New products include Russian blades nicely made in some type of wootz or even only a surface decoration ? Most Omani Khanjars go to the demand in Oman as other countries close by have their own styles like UAE Bahrain Saudia and Yemen thus the tradition is very strong right here. Naturally the network of Arabian style souks presents Omani work around the region but its best market is right here at home. Millions of tourists also have a massive world market effect. The weapon is Iconic and the badge of office of Omani heads of family thus can be worn at any time for any occasion by heads of state or men of any age including Eids, weddings, tribal and other meetings or just worn to go down the souk... Last edited by Ibrahiim al Balooshi; 12th September 2019 at 03:06 PM.

12th September 2019, 03:13 PM	#6
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	A note here in support of new materials for hilts where I show a poly ceramic form that looks exactly like Ivory and accepts silver nails in the same way without cracking and does not break when dropped. Attached Images

12th September 2019, 04:04 PM	#7
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 411	Thanks for the thoughtful answers. They round out the khanjar's role within its social context.

17th September 2019, 07:45 PM	#8
Ibrahiim al Balooshi Member Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: Buraimi Oman, on the border with the UAE Posts: 4,408	Some thought has been put into the belt ...an old style to match this set. Attached Images