khyber...?

M

mwinter

Joined
Dec 1, 2000
Messages
87
I bought an Ontario "BlackWind" Khyber a few months back on a whim.
not a great knife/sword, but great looking.
a museum i used to work at had several knives and swords from the Middle East/Eurasia, including two large khybers.
(by khyber i mean: origin in Afghanistan(?), blade shape like that of a large kitchen knife or early bowie, spear point, single edge.) assuming name associated with Khyber Pass.
does anyone know more about the origin, history, historical use, or style traditions involving this type of short sword?
 
From George Cameron Stone's Glossary of Arms and Armour:
"KHYBER KNIFE, AFGAN KNIFE, CHARAS, CHARAY, CHURRA, SALAWAR YATAGAN. The national sword of the Afridis and other tribes living in and near the Khyber Pass between India and Afganistan. It has a straight, heavy, single-edged blade tapering gradually from the hilt to the point; and has a wide rib at the back. The hilt is without a guard and has a slight projection on one side by way of pommel. The hilt is usually formed of two flat pieces of horn, bone or ivory riveted to the flat tang. The scabbards are covered with leather and are long enough to take in the entire handle. They are worn thrust through the belt and are not fastened to it in any way. The blades are from 14 to 30 inches long."
Similar to the choora of the Mahaud tribe of the Khyber and the Persian pesh-kabz, in that all are intended by virtue of the T-shaped spine for penetrating mail.
LionGate usually has one or more specimens for sale. Until recently inexpensive modern copies were imported from India and are often seen at gun and knife shows.
 
thanks much for the info...glad to see a fellow Texan on here!

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Condition Yellow: for a longer, happier life.
 
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