Khanjar Omani?

rockelk · 27th May 2019, 06:33 PM

I purchased this knife in Abu Dhabi. From what little I’ve read this can be categorized as a Khanjar? Any opinions as to what the hilt is made of will be appreciated.
By coincidence, while in England I visited the RAF Museum and was surprised to see a display regarding a RAF maintenance support group’s P-51 effort for the country of Oman. The Sultan had awarded them a khanjar almost identical to this one

Also the silver of the sheath is quite tarnished. Should it be cleaned / polished or left as is?

With Regards, rm

Jens Nordlunde · 30th May 2019, 04:41 PM

Unfortunately I cant help with an answer, but I am surprised the no one has tried to help.

Bob A · 30th May 2019, 07:55 PM

Khanjar, jambiyya :: tomato, tomahto

Whatever one chooses to call it, it's a very handsome piece. The nailhead decoration is well executed and attractive. The hilt looks like horn, but I can't really tell anything from the photo. Might even be rhino?

You will have to be the judge regarding cleaning/polishing, but I tend to lightly remove tarnish without getting extreme about digging into cracks and crevices. I've seen some completely black jambiya sheaths, and find them distressing. Making an old piece look new again is a bit insulting to my mind, but others will perhaps differ. I clean the projecting bits, and try to keep the item in an environment that slows or prevents further tarnishing.

I have an Omani khanjar that was presented to a British Lt Col by the Sultan; it is perhaps not terribly uncommon. I'd be curious to hear others' opinions on this.

rockelk · 30th May 2019, 09:35 PM

Thanks, I appreciate the input. rm

francantolin · 31st May 2019, 06:21 AM

Hello,
Really nice hilt with all these small nails !!!

Can you put a clear close up picture of the hilt ?

It seems horn ( maybe wood ?)
For rhino, the horn hilt is almost translucent.
You can test it scratching ( just a little !!) / warm a needle and smell
...

mariusgmioc · 31st May 2019, 09:09 AM

This looks like a current production Omani khanjar to me. I have seen many like yours in the souks of Muscat and Nizwa. The hilt is almost certainly horn.
My two cents...
😁

27th May 2019, 06:33 PM	#1
rockelk Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Khanjar Omani? I purchased this knife in Abu Dhabi. From what little I’ve read this can be categorized as a Khanjar? Any opinions as to what the hilt is made of will be appreciated. By coincidence, while in England I visited the RAF Museum and was surprised to see a display regarding a RAF maintenance support group’s P-51 effort for the country of Oman. The Sultan had awarded them a khanjar almost identical to this one Also the silver of the sheath is quite tarnished. Should it be cleaned / polished or left as is? With Regards, rm Attached Images

30th May 2019, 09:35 PM	#4
rockelk Member Join Date: May 2019 Location: Arizona Posts: 42	Thanks Thanks, I appreciate the input. rm

30th May 2019, 04:41 PM	#2
Jens Nordlunde Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Europe Posts: 2,713	Unfortunately I cant help with an answer, but I am surprised the no one has tried to help.

30th May 2019, 07:55 PM	#3
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 409	Khanjar, jambiyya :: tomato, tomahto Whatever one chooses to call it, it's a very handsome piece. The nailhead decoration is well executed and attractive. The hilt looks like horn, but I can't really tell anything from the photo. Might even be rhino? You will have to be the judge regarding cleaning/polishing, but I tend to lightly remove tarnish without getting extreme about digging into cracks and crevices. I've seen some completely black jambiya sheaths, and find them distressing. Making an old piece look new again is a bit insulting to my mind, but others will perhaps differ. I clean the projecting bits, and try to keep the item in an environment that slows or prevents further tarnishing. I have an Omani khanjar that was presented to a British Lt Col by the Sultan; it is perhaps not terribly uncommon. I'd be curious to hear others' opinions on this.

31st May 2019, 06:21 AM	#5
francantolin Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Posts: 813	Hello, Really nice hilt with all these small nails !!! Can you put a clear close up picture of the hilt ? It seems horn ( maybe wood ?) For rhino, the horn hilt is almost translucent. You can test it scratching ( just a little !!) / warm a needle and smell ...

31st May 2019, 09:09 AM	#6
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,870	This looks like a current production Omani khanjar to me. I have seen many like yours in the souks of Muscat and Nizwa. The hilt is almost certainly horn. My two cents... 😁