New member and... need ID help with this unusual knife

[blasto9000]

Hi guys, I've been reading on this forum for a while now. (Needless to say, you boys have helped me find holes in my wallet for cash to leak out of. I always thought ONE pocket knife was enough, ONE axe was enough, etc.) Now, I guess, I'm realizing there's no guilt in having several knives and other bladed tools. A tool for every occassion.

Having said that, I'm a city boy so my knives and tools don't see much use. But I do enjoy tools and use them as much as practicable. Most of the time my axe (now axes) are used a shop knives. They don't chop much wood, but will occassionally be used to fillet a store-bought whole fish, open boxes from Amazon, cut loose threads from clothing, etc.

I realize an axe might not be viewed as a "proper tool for the job" in these cases, but I have to do anything and everything to keep my axe-handling skills up-to-date.

Soooo. On to my question. I joined this board because of the bredth and depth of knowledge, so even though I hope to stump you, I'm equally hoping to gain some insight on this unusual knife.

I've recently acquired this blade for my dad, who has a budding collection of Egyptian artifacts. The dealer who sold it to me (for 10 bucks) said it was made in Cairo. Other than that, he had no info.

In the pictures you can see the sheath is made of soldered pieces of sheet. I don't have pics, but the sheath appears to have been lined with scrounged wood. The tip of the sheath is wrapped with fine copper or brass wire.

There is a stamp... in Arabic?... on the blade. I included a picture, but not sure if it's right-side up, or what.

Info and speculation welcome. Thank you.

 

[theyoungone]

Just a speculation, I'm not a professor of history or a ancient knife guru.

However what I think you have there is a Egyptian Athame. An Athame is a ceremonial knife or dagger that are used in rituals. The rub however is the word Athame is English and associated with Wicca and newer age occult. After the re-discovery of pyramids and other ancient Egyptian ruins, in the early 1900's Egypt became a popular tourist destination. Egyptians would sell decorative knives as souvenir to English and European tourist.

A true ancient Egyptian religious ritual knife was made of flint. For some reason even though they had basic metals they did not use it in religious rituals. Its also not a jambiya which is a traditional CURVED dagger that most Arabic men EAST of the Suez canal (mostly Yemen) would carry, however the handles of Athames were inspired by them

Some were Athame knives were made in small factories while other were DIY made by hand. They are not worth much, since you can buy them online or on ebay for less than $50 but they are still neat.

 

[9blades]

I believe that style of knife is called a "shabaria", but I don't know too much traditional/ethnic knives...

 

[evanPGH]

^^^ That's what I love about this forum, there's always someone out there that knows something.

I have zero knowledge on ethnic blades from that area of the World as my specialty is Japanese, but sure as hell, within three hours you have someone that has an idea. I know they've said it's just speculation but I did some quick searching and they seem to be on the right track to me.

 

[blasto9000]

Wow! Thank you so much for the replies! Keep 'em coming!

I didn't figure this knife had any type of historical significance, but still, it's fun to know its (potential) origins and intent. I'll take some time to research the answers given here so I can form a better picture for my dad. He'll get a big kick out of this info.

That's what I love about this forum, there's always someone out there that knows something.

...which is sort of what I was banking on when I joined!