A Khyber 'type' knife with Ivory (?) handle.

[katana]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

David,
I'm intrigued by the 'waisting' on the handle. What is the central band?
Is the material split between the two sides of the band (in other words 4 pieces of ivory)

Best
Gene

Hi Gene,
the banding seems to be sinew, as a best guess, which is now very hard and 'secure'. The strange thing is that originally it looks like it had two slabs one either side. Some how the slabs were damaged / cracked between the 1st rivet and 2nd rivet (both sides) It seems to be a 'in the field' repair, to hold the slabs together, presumably until a better aethestic repair could be done.

I have visions of a Afghani mountain tribesman sat at the campfire, drawing the sinew from the leg of a freshly killed goat. wetting it and wrapping the handle of his recently damaged Pesh, in defiant concentration. Placing it near to the warmth of the crackling flames, so that the drying sinew would tighten and hold the ivory slabs. Contemplating the attack on the British Garrison when the sun rises over the mountainous peaks the following day..... little knowing that the star filled blackness of the night would be his last......

well some thing like that.....

Regards David