Exciting Project; Historic Khanjar. The UAE KHANJAR.

[Ibrahiim al Balooshi]

Salaams,
We were recently aproached by a prestigious museum to replicate exactly the Khanjar worn by the late Sheikh and ruler of the UAE; Sheikh Zayed. The original dagger can be seen on the attached photograph taken many years ago.
In this very exciting project we decided to introduce as a competition amongst the top Omani Silversmiths who were simply set the task of "copy that". Naturally we were able to examine the work after short intervals since Khanjars are made in a set programme so we could eliminate less excellent competitors at any stage. Several did not make the grade on the way to the final product .
The winner from near Sohar produced such an excellent effort that it was virtually indistinguishable from the original and had passed scrutiny at every stage of construction. Not only was the Khanjar and scabbard exactly right but the craftsman also did a fine job on the belt; tripping up only by fitting the short belt the wrong way around !
Note the different style of "rings" and the specific pattern demanded of this; THE UAE KHANJAR.
Ibrahiim al Balooshi.