4) Faux Damascus Knife & Swords: This is what aroused my interest after seeing posts by this gentleman Mr. Bantu Bana in the IFG forums. These come in basically gun metal handles and scabbards which are engraved first and then inlaid with silver and gold wire.
a) Small 4" blades: These come with gun metal handles and scabbards with silver koftagiri works, the quality of inlay works and finesse in design varies from shop to shop. These small knives are priced INR 800 onwards in places such as Kuber Handicrafts to about INR 3000 in places like Jaipur Handicrafts. These wither have a hamiya like handle or come with either a lions head or a camels head at the pommel. The some damascened blades also have small tigers or motif inliad on the blade. I saw an exquisite piece with gold inlay priced at INR 12000 at India Arts and Crafts..
B) Larger 6" to 8" blades: You'll find most variety in this size category. Pieces similar to the above description but in larger blade sizes are priced from INR 2000 ( Gold Inlay ones expensive) to INR 3000 depending on the finesse of the inlay work.
Then there are knives again to the above description but where the designs on the scabbard and the handle are cut in the metal and velvet lining below the metal on the scabbard is visible from the cutout portions. I've purchased 3 of these ( one for me and two for friends) after bargaining hard at Kuber Handicrafts for INR 2000 each after a quoted price of INR 2500.
Third type in these come with the above description but with camel bone fitted at the handles. These were priced at INR 2500 each at Kuber Handicrafts, and a crazy INR 8000 to INR 12000 at places like Jaipur Handicrafts . I did'nt buy these as picked up a 36" sword in this pattern.
** Most recommended category for knife lovers below** I ran short of budget
Then there are the misc. Types of khanjars, peshkabz, in various traditional blade signs with very high quality mix of gold and silver inlay work with the inlay work sometimes extending to the thick spines of the peshkabz. The damascus blades on these seemed to be of a better/different quality than the other types. The swirl patterns ( johars as they call it here) were not so prominent as on the above types but were only visible on close inspection. This steel was very similar to the antique blades I saw at Nanhe Mians. At Kubers handicrafts these are priced at an average of INR 6000 to INR 7000 and one exquisite pesh kanbz with gold inlay work, on the handle, extending on the thick spine, silver ornamentation on the leather and wood scabbard was priced at INR 18000.
--------------------------------------
Kukris are also available with inlay work and damascened blades for about INR 6000.
There's one very interesting category of knives available in this category" the Tiger Knife" This is a version of the traditional katar . The handle of the Katar needs to be squeezed and a nasty looking blade pops out from what looks like a metal scabbard of the Katar. This was again priced at about INR 6000 to a ridiculous INR 12000 at some places. Guess this is an old indian version of the spring actuated knife
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
.
C) Swords in category A and B about 24 " long. These are priced at around INR 6000 in Kuber.
D) Full sized 36" Swords with above description : These were priced at a ridiculous INR 36000 for the plain silver works one and a INR 42000 for one with Camel bone handle at Jaipur Handicrafts on Highway No.8. Believe you me when I tell you Kuber quoted INR 12000 for the same piece. I bargained hard and got one for INR 9000. Wohooooooo. There was only one piece left in the 36" size. I would have preferred to check out a few before making the purchase, but the owner said it will take at least a month for the next stock to come in.
** Note : I have given the owner of Kuber Handicrafts my email I'd and have requested him to email me detailed photographs of existing stock and any future stock that comes in. He says I can make the deposit in his account and the sword or dagger will be couriered to my residential address. Not sure if he will really email me this, but if he does I don't mind forwarding to those interested.....
The last and final category is Sword Canes or Guptis. I saw Chinese ones selling in Ajmer and Puskar for INR 300 to INR 400.
There are basically two types available here
A) The same gun metal with silver koftagiri work. These are collapsible with each section with a threaded male part and a threaded female portion. The hidden blade fixed to the handle is about 5 inches long.
B) Non collapsible ones: This is what I brought for my boss who's fascinated by Guptis. This is basically a metal pipe cladded in leather with a brass piece below. The handle has mother of pearl cladding and has to be rotated to pull out this large about 30" long and about :alf an inch blade. The blade has saw like serrations on the spine. The workmanship on the handle , the grind on the blade could have been better. The asking price was INR 7k which I bargained and purchased for INR 6K (which ofcourse my boss will reimburse along with hopefully a promotion and a fat payrise next year
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
.
So with a large sword, 3 large knives and a sword stick nicley packed in bubble wrap and card board I headed back to the hotel. The owner offered to courier this to my residential address at a price but having spent a large sum of money I thought it would be wise to carry it back myself not knowing the legalities involved in sending swords and Gupti's via courier service.
I was going to fly back but now with this parcel have decided to take a train back home. Reserved seats only available for Sunday, reaching Mumbai by Monday morning and have to rush back to the grind in office
Still two days to go in Rajasthan, I'm itching to travel to Udaipur and Jodhpur ( after Rajat's comment), but let's see.
P.S: What's with women and knives, my mothers seeing me buying knives ever since I was in school and what I could afford at that time with the little pocket money I had. After all these years she still acts shell shocked on seeing me holding a knife of a sword. This beautiful girl I'm seeing says she thinks I'm crazy or a goonda seeing the little Victorinox Bundeshwehr I EDC. I've been shamelessly lying to my mother telling he all these CRKT's, Spyderco's, Boker's that Bruno's been sending me are priced for INR 200 , 300 etc. I shamelessly lied when I told here " Mumma we're going to Rajasthan because you need to take some time off and get some rest". Whew its 40+ degrees here. Guess women will never understand our love for all things sharp and shiny.
Hope you've enjoyed reading the post, apolgies if you found it boring. I've got limited language skills, but really wanted to share this amazing experience with all like minded people.
Cheers.
P.S again: All these requests for photos is making me nervous. I've taken photographs using the carppy camera on my company blacberry. For Infosec reasons IT has blocked the pic and email facility. But will try and butter some one from the IT team to extract the photographs taken.
Photographs of my purchase, scanned copies of the visting cards of all stores I visited I will post some time next week.
-- Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:27 am --
Bruno22 wrote:A true knife buyers travelog. Its been great reading your detailed posts. Looking forward to the pictures.
Bruno22
Thanks You Bruno. My thumbs have gotten sore typing on this little keyboard.
Glad you enjoyed readin the post.
Regards
Moin.
-- Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:35 am --
Rajat wrote:No wonders, if you keep going around and have some diversity in your interests you will find tonnes of stuff around.
Look up Vaman Ghiya.
Sorry to go out of topic.
Yes Rajat, our countries heritage being smuggled out of the country. The Brits looted The county dry and Now these scoundrels. This case seemed similar. These are still inanimate objects, I was watching on NGC this one Tiger Skin and bone smuggler in Delhi who was caught after eluding the police for many years, forgot his name. Can't put a numer to the tigers that were killed for skins, bones and what not.
Here in Jaipur what pains me most is in the name of developemnt such beauftiful buildings are being pulled down to construct in steel and glass. The place's got such beautiful architecture.
...
-- Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:39 am --
hunterjack wrote:bookmarking this thread. awesome piece of information for knife buyers and thanks for sharing it. now waiting for the pics.
Thank you Hunterjack, glad you enjoyed reading the post. Watch this space for some pics sometime next week.
Regards
Moin.
-- Fri Jun 17, 2011 1:47 am --
Olly wrote:A detailed 'Knifologue' indeed !!
Inspires me to take a trip down to the lanes you've visited and have a first hand look myself... !!
Still don't have a Khanjar in my collection... all the more reason !
Thanks for posting the lovely thread...
Must visit place for a collector like yourself Olly, the only other place where I've seen so many knives and swords for sale was in Amritsar outside of Golden Temple. This was way back in college, had gone there for this intercollege design competiton 'NASA' National Association for Students of Arhitecture
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
Had these large A0 sized plastic drawing portfolios whose drawings we had rolled and filled them with swords, Knives etc. I still have the Khukri I had purchased back then and love it to death. Man good old days
Best
Moin.