Ethnographic Arms & Armour
 

Go Back   Ethnographic Arms & Armour > Discussion Forums > Ethnographic Weapons

Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread Display Modes
Old 27th April 2012, 07:01 PM   #1
Montino Bourbon
Member
 
Montino Bourbon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Posts: 295
Default Mystery dagger

I just picked this up from Artzi over at Oriental Arms. I don't think it was displayed long enough anybody else to see it. He wasn't sure of what it was or where it was from, and neither am I. The binding on the sheath looks South Asian, the chip carving on the sheath looks like it's from the Balkans, the blade is well forged and nicely fullered, and I don't have the slightest idea of where it's from. Help! This forum is my only hope!

The blade does seem to have a slightly African form. It feels really good in the hand, an absolutely functional blade.
Attached Images
   
Montino Bourbon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th April 2012, 07:50 PM   #2
spiral
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
Default

The scabbard is 100% from Nepal, the carved design is identical to that found on many wooden kukri & knife scabbards.

The blade could also be Nepali manufacture, looking at it.

Ill dig out some photos....

Spiral


Edited for pic.
Heres one of Dereks kuks over at IKRHS.




Last edited by spiral; 27th April 2012 at 07:57 PM. Reason: photos..
spiral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th April 2012, 08:23 PM   #3
Montino Bourbon
Member
 
Montino Bourbon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Posts: 295
Default

you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?
Montino Bourbon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th April 2012, 10:41 PM   #4
Kipinga50
Member
 
Kipinga50's Avatar
 
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: Sao Vicente
Posts: 28
Smile

It's absolutly not African. The forme of the blade look like Hausa, but the work is very different.
Kipinga50 is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 27th April 2012, 11:28 PM   #5
spiral
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by Montino Bourbon
you're right… The carving is absolutely Nepali, as is the wrapping. Now how about the blade? Have you ever seen anything like it?
Not that I recall, {Havent checked my photo libary though, this is all of the top of the head.}but the style of manufacture is very Nepalese Kami though & the factors & contracters there will make any design you wish, They regulary make stuff for westerners from photos or originals sent to them, according to what one of the main kukri exporters has told me. That includes many non traditional designs, bowies etc.

Artzi has had many Nepalese kukri & knives over the years with identicaly carved scabbards,{ I bought one of him about 9 years ago.} So it might be worth asking what he thinks about it, Hes seen so much after all.

Spiral
spiral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th April 2012, 01:25 AM   #6
Lew
(deceased)
 
Lew's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: East Coast USA
Posts: 3,191
Default

So your the one who beat to the punch . Definately from Nepal probably second half of the 20th century.
Lew is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th April 2012, 07:12 AM   #7
Montino Bourbon
Member
 
Montino Bourbon's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Location: Santa Barbara, California
Posts: 295
Default

yeah, I like unusual things. It popped up and I hesitated... for a few hours. It's a very unusual design; it also reminds me of a keris buda. Do you think an etch would reveal something?
Montino Bourbon is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 28th April 2012, 10:13 AM   #8
spiral
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
Default

Indeed Lew!



Etching will reveal something, what though is another questian!

Probably mono steel hopefully differentialy tempered, but in Nepal one never truly knows, if made from recycled steel it could be anything...

A light etch will reveal all & can be easily polished out again, if required..

Spiral
spiral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2012, 06:06 PM   #9
delor
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marseille - France
Posts: 73
Default

Etching might reveal some nice "jelly roll" pattern welded damascus which is quite specific of Nepal blades...
delor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2012, 08:40 PM   #10
spiral
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by delor
Etching might reveal some nice "jelly roll" pattern welded damascus which is quite specific of Nepal blades...

I think with a little study you will find, "jelly roll" as you call it is typicaly Tibetan.

Ive seen a few "hairpin" kukri , but never anything Nepali style with "jelly roll"

Have you an example? It would be interesting to see.

Spiral
spiral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2012, 11:08 PM   #11
delor
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marseille - France
Posts: 73
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by spiral
I think with a little study you will find, "jelly roll" as you call it is typicaly Tibetan.
You are right, rolled pattern is Tibetan, not Nepali. My mistake !

Regards,

Bernard
delor is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 22nd May 2012, 11:27 PM   #12
spiral
Member
 
Join Date: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,712
Default

Cheers Bernard, I must admit Id love to see a kukri with "jelly roll" one day

spiral
spiral is offline   Reply With Quote
Old 23rd May 2012, 10:51 PM   #13
delor
Member
 
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: Marseille - France
Posts: 73
Default

Quote:
Originally Posted by spiral
I must admit Id love to see a kukri with "jelly roll" one day
I could make one for you, but I don't think this is what you're looking for...
delor is offline   Reply With Quote
Reply

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search
Display Modes

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off

Forum Jump


All times are GMT +1. The time now is 12:48 PM.


Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
Posts are regarded as being copyrighted by their authors and the act of posting material is deemed to be a granting of an irrevocable nonexclusive license for display here.