UNUSUAL WOOTZ DAGGER

ALEX · 23rd August 2009, 12:42 PM

An unusual and interesting dagger with wootz blade and ivory handle. The shape of both blade and handle are not of typical Indo-Persian type, although wootz and gold inlay are.
I hope RSWORD will be able to elaborate more, as one of his interests is in unusual wootz weapons. Any other comments are most welcome.

RSWORD · 23rd August 2009, 02:55 PM

Alex,

That is an interesting and unusual dagger that you share. I have not seen a similar dagger before. I would lean towards India as an attribution for this one based on the koftgari. The shape of the handle and its facets reminds me of a pistol grip. The blade shape and the handle shape remind me of some Indonesian weapons, namely the badik. With the extensive trade between India and Sumatra it is plausible that some influences found their way back to India. After all, there are many weapons in Sumatra influenced by Indian weaponry so why not the reverse? Just a theory but opens the door for an interesting cross cultural piece. And of course, lovely wootz!

Sajen · 23rd August 2009, 03:15 PM

Very nice dagger, thank's for sharing.

TKV · 23rd August 2009, 11:34 PM

very interesting dagger, unusual shape, i guess indo-persian piece

CharlesS · 24th August 2009, 12:54 PM

Alex,

Any chance this is a very nicely recycled sword blade??

ALEX · 24th August 2009, 02:47 PM

I thought about it, Charles. I do not think it is a cut-down sword as the blade is quite thin. In the case of cut-down sword, it'd be more rigid and tapered toward the edge. This blade it flat, with almost spherical inward taper toward the center of the blade. I also do not think it was re-grunt, as it'd adversely affect the quality of wootz pattern. I quite agree with Rick as to India-Indonesian cross-cultural connection, and Indian origin as perhaps a trade/gift item for Indonesian/Sumatran market. My initial thoughts were in this direction before I started guessing about what else could it be:-) Thanks to all!

Norman McCormick · 24th August 2009, 03:45 PM

Hi Alex,
A nice knife, the blade profile tends to make me think it was designed as a dedicated cutting instrument as against a stabbing/cutting weapon therefore there may be a utility aspect as well as a decorative one. The edge looks as if it has been sharpened on more than one occasion although it is difficult to tell without having it in hand. Whatever it is it certainly looks nice.
Regards,
Norman.

23rd August 2009, 12:42 PM	#1
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 935	UNUSUAL WOOTZ DAGGER An unusual and interesting dagger with wootz blade and ivory handle. The shape of both blade and handle are not of typical Indo-Persian type, although wootz and gold inlay are. I hope RSWORD will be able to elaborate more, as one of his interests is in unusual wootz weapons. Any other comments are most welcome. Attached Images

23rd August 2009, 02:55 PM	#2
RSWORD Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greensboro, NC Posts: 1,083	Alex, That is an interesting and unusual dagger that you share. I have not seen a similar dagger before. I would lean towards India as an attribution for this one based on the koftgari. The shape of the handle and its facets reminds me of a pistol grip. The blade shape and the handle shape remind me of some Indonesian weapons, namely the badik. With the extensive trade between India and Sumatra it is plausible that some influences found their way back to India. After all, there are many weapons in Sumatra influenced by Indian weaponry so why not the reverse? Just a theory but opens the door for an interesting cross cultural piece. And of course, lovely wootz!

23rd August 2009, 03:15 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,494	Very nice dagger, thank's for sharing.

23rd August 2009, 11:34 PM	#4
TKV Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Posts: 32	very interesting dagger, unusual shape, i guess indo-persian piece

24th August 2009, 12:54 PM	#5
CharlesS Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Greenville, NC Posts: 1,855	Alex, Any chance this is a very nicely recycled sword blade??

24th August 2009, 02:47 PM	#6
ALEX Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 935	I thought about it, Charles. I do not think it is a cut-down sword as the blade is quite thin. In the case of cut-down sword, it'd be more rigid and tapered toward the edge. This blade it flat, with almost spherical inward taper toward the center of the blade. I also do not think it was re-grunt, as it'd adversely affect the quality of wootz pattern. I quite agree with Rick as to India-Indonesian cross-cultural connection, and Indian origin as perhaps a trade/gift item for Indonesian/Sumatran market. My initial thoughts were in this direction before I started guessing about what else could it be:-) Thanks to all!

24th August 2009, 03:45 PM	#7
Norman McCormick Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,575	Hi Alex, A nice knife, the blade profile tends to make me think it was designed as a dedicated cutting instrument as against a stabbing/cutting weapon therefore there may be a utility aspect as well as a decorative one. The edge looks as if it has been sharpened on more than one occasion although it is difficult to tell without having it in hand. Whatever it is it certainly looks nice. Regards, Norman.