Shafra What are They?

Lew · 28th May 2010, 03:09 AM

Picked this up today. What are they used for?

kahnjar1 · 28th May 2010, 06:31 AM

Hi Lew,
There was an extensive post about these recently I think. They are a "utility" knife which go behind the Khanjar of Oman, and probably behind the Jambiya of western arabia, but I have not seen one on a western scabbard.
Pic attached of an Omani Khanjar I have with Shafra.
Stu
Here is the thread I was thinking about.
http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ted+file+knife

Steve · 29th May 2010, 12:06 AM

Guys,
In looking at what the shafra knives are, and what they were used for, it's interesting to look at the other bedouin knives - the Al Khusa ( about 12 inches long) and the Al Huardhi ( mini Khusa). Page 80 of Elgoods " Arms and Armour of Arabia".
These knives were worn by the bedouin in the eastern part of the arabian peninsula and were just tucked into their belt or shoulder bandolier. It is stated the Khusa was used for defense ( read human throat cutting) and for cutting the throat of gazelle, sheep, camels etc.
The Huardhi was used for cutting the throat of small game birds. No vegetarians in the desert?

Steve

PS forgive the poor quality Huardhi in the picture as some of small spacer rings of bone in the handle have broken and dropped out. However the two knives came togther as a set.

Lew · 29th May 2010, 07:34 PM

The shafra arrived today and it is of very nice quality the blade was a bit over cleaned but still a very nice example. Here are some better pics.

Battara · 29th May 2010, 08:26 PM

I like the chasing work on the hilt and the engraving on the blade.

28th May 2010, 03:09 AM	#1
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	Shafra What are They? Picked this up today. What are they used for? Attached Images

28th May 2010, 06:31 AM	#2
kahnjar1 Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: CHRISTCHURCH NEW ZEALAND Posts: 2,730	Hi Lew, There was an extensive post about these recently I think. They are a "utility" knife which go behind the Khanjar of Oman, and probably behind the Jambiya of western arabia, but I have not seen one on a western scabbard. Pic attached of an Omani Khanjar I have with Shafra. Stu Here is the thread I was thinking about. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ted+file+knife Attached Images Last edited by kahnjar1; 28th May 2010 at 07:22 AM.

29th May 2010, 12:06 AM	#3
Steve Member Join Date: Jul 2008 Location: Sydney Posts: 58	Guys, In looking at what the shafra knives are, and what they were used for, it's interesting to look at the other bedouin knives - the Al Khusa ( about 12 inches long) and the Al Huardhi ( mini Khusa). Page 80 of Elgoods " Arms and Armour of Arabia". These knives were worn by the bedouin in the eastern part of the arabian peninsula and were just tucked into their belt or shoulder bandolier. It is stated the Khusa was used for defense ( read human throat cutting) and for cutting the throat of gazelle, sheep, camels etc. The Huardhi was used for cutting the throat of small game birds. No vegetarians in the desert? Steve PS forgive the poor quality Huardhi in the picture as some of small spacer rings of bone in the handle have broken and dropped out. However the two knives came togther as a set. Attached Images

29th May 2010, 07:34 PM	#4
Lew (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: East Coast USA Posts: 3,191	The shafra arrived today and it is of very nice quality the blade was a bit over cleaned but still a very nice example. Here are some better pics. Attached Images

29th May 2010, 08:26 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I like the chasing work on the hilt and the engraving on the blade.