Help needed with knive Jamiya?

Mumbles · 10th February 2009, 02:50 AM

G'day All,

Brand new member, little knowledge but lots of interest. From looking around the web this site seems to have the most knowledgeable posters so I thought this would be the place to ask about my new knife.

On a recent trip to Egypt I picked this up.

Could anyone identify it for me, please. Name, country of origin, ideas on age etc. Particularly about the blade pattern and grip material. I have not got it with me at the moment but it is about 370-380mm long overall, the grip is less then 100mm, probably closer to 80mm.

I have a close up of the blade but something is strange with the format and I know even less about computers then a do about knives

Thanks
Mumbles

ALEX · 10th February 2009, 12:06 PM

Mumbles, welcome to the Forum,
This is a modern dagger. They are made in India to fuel Tourist markets worldwide. The blade is pattern weld/layered steel which is a form of mechanical Damascus steel. This pattern is also known as "Tiger Eye". The handle is coloured bone, most likely camel bone, and the steel scabbard is decorated with silver coftgari technique. I'd not call this dagger ethnical or collectable, etc, it is a pure mass-produced souvenir or novelty item, and I hope you did not buy it as old or valuable antique:-)

Atlantia · 10th February 2009, 12:28 PM

Hi Mumble.

What a nice knife to start a collection with!
As Alex says, It's new, but hand made and certainly shows a lot of skill!
Alex has covered most of the infformation about it. Sometimes the pattern is called 'Birds Eye' also.

Hope this starts a new hobby for you.
Regards
Gene

VANDOO · 10th February 2009, 04:05 PM

AS STATED ABOVE IT IS A RECENTLY MANUFACTURED KNIFE AND PROBABLY HAND MADE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS WELL MADE WITH VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP AND IS VERY PLEASING TO LOOK AT, CONGRADULATIONS.

THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD IS THEY MAKE A WIDE VARIETY OF SIMULAR KNIVES IN MOROCCO AND DO THIS LEVEL OF WORKMANSHIP THERE AS WELL AS IN INDIA.

Mumbles · 11th February 2009, 12:29 AM

Thanks everyone for your replies and information.

No, I didn't buy it thinking it was an antique, valuable might be a different thing. I am sure that I paid too much for it (about $A300) but as it was my last day in Egypt and was the only thing I had seen that I actually wanted...

Even I could tell that it was a step up from the usual "oxy-cut sheetmetal with a goats horn jammed on it" stuff in every second stall.

Getting though Australian customs was another story, I am glad that it was not sharpened, I think it made it easier, or maybe it was when I starting crying when I thought they were going to confiscate it.

Since it has no historic value, any advice on techiques to sharpen it would be welcome.

Also, I will hopefully be going to the Philippines in October. Any ideas on what I should look for there???

Regards,
Darryl

ALEX · 11th February 2009, 02:47 PM

Darryl,
I would NOT attempt to sharpen it for 2 reasons: 1) sharpening will leave white-coloured edges and they will have to be acid-etched to bring the pattern. 2) this type of pattern weld is better this way, it may have a "crumbled" effect when sharpened.
Best

Rick · 11th February 2009, 02:50 PM

These newer birds eye pattern welded blades tend to be very soft; not worth sharpening IMO .

Mumbles · 12th February 2009, 01:31 AM

No worries, thanks for the replies.

On the wall it goes then.

Darryl

10th February 2009, 02:50 AM	#1
Mumbles Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	Help needed with knive Jamiya? G'day All, Brand new member, little knowledge but lots of interest. From looking around the web this site seems to have the most knowledgeable posters so I thought this would be the place to ask about my new knife. On a recent trip to Egypt I picked this up. Could anyone identify it for me, please. Name, country of origin, ideas on age etc. Particularly about the blade pattern and grip material. I have not got it with me at the moment but it is about 370-380mm long overall, the grip is less then 100mm, probably closer to 80mm. I have a close up of the blade but something is strange with the format and I know even less about computers then a do about knives Thanks Mumbles Attached Images

10th February 2009, 12:06 PM	#2
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Mumbles, welcome to the Forum, This is a modern dagger. They are made in India to fuel Tourist markets worldwide. The blade is pattern weld/layered steel which is a form of mechanical Damascus steel. This pattern is also known as "Tiger Eye". The handle is coloured bone, most likely camel bone, and the steel scabbard is decorated with silver coftgari technique. I'd not call this dagger ethnical or collectable, etc, it is a pure mass-produced souvenir or novelty item, and I hope you did not buy it as old or valuable antique:-)

10th February 2009, 12:28 PM	#3
Atlantia Member Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: The Sharp end Posts: 2,928	Hi Mumble. What a nice knife to start a collection with! As Alex says, It's new, but hand made and certainly shows a lot of skill! Alex has covered most of the infformation about it. Sometimes the pattern is called 'Birds Eye' also. Hope this starts a new hobby for you. Regards Gene

10th February 2009, 04:05 PM	#4
VANDOO (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: OKLAHOMA, USA Posts: 3,138	AS STATED ABOVE IT IS A RECENTLY MANUFACTURED KNIFE AND PROBABLY HAND MADE. IT LOOKS LIKE IT IS WELL MADE WITH VERY NICE WORKMANSHIP AND IS VERY PLEASING TO LOOK AT, CONGRADULATIONS. THE ONLY THING I CAN ADD IS THEY MAKE A WIDE VARIETY OF SIMULAR KNIVES IN MOROCCO AND DO THIS LEVEL OF WORKMANSHIP THERE AS WELL AS IN INDIA.

11th February 2009, 12:29 AM	#5
Mumbles Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	Thanks everyone for your replies and information. No, I didn't buy it thinking it was an antique, valuable might be a different thing. I am sure that I paid too much for it (about $A300) but as it was my last day in Egypt and was the only thing I had seen that I actually wanted... Even I could tell that it was a step up from the usual "oxy-cut sheetmetal with a goats horn jammed on it" stuff in every second stall. Getting though Australian customs was another story, I am glad that it was not sharpened, I think it made it easier, or maybe it was when I starting crying when I thought they were going to confiscate it. Since it has no historic value, any advice on techiques to sharpen it would be welcome. Also, I will hopefully be going to the Philippines in October. Any ideas on what I should look for there??? Regards, Darryl

11th February 2009, 02:47 PM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 936	Darryl, I would NOT attempt to sharpen it for 2 reasons: 1) sharpening will leave white-coloured edges and they will have to be acid-etched to bring the pattern. 2) this type of pattern weld is better this way, it may have a "crumbled" effect when sharpened. Best

11th February 2009, 02:50 PM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,263	These newer birds eye pattern welded blades tend to be very soft; not worth sharpening IMO .

12th February 2009, 01:31 AM	#8
Mumbles Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Posts: 3	No worries, thanks for the replies. On the wall it goes then. Darryl