Does anyone know of any good reproduction qama that might be available, or of anyone with plans to provide them in the future?

There is a reproduction from Atlanta Cutlery.

Their ad copy reads as follows:

Qama (#1-170) Used by warriors from Persia to the Caucasus for hundreds of years, this lightning fast, grimly effective, close quarter combat knife evolved from centuries of use.

Made of hand forged, high carbon steel in India by the government contractor for military knives.

With its long needle point on a 17 1/2" long, double-edge blade, the Qama is a deadly close combat design that dates back to the Roman Short Sword. The Qama was used with success by the Cossacks and Northern Persians. Considered to be the national weapon of Russian Georgia.

Buffalo horn handle scales. 22 1/2" overall. #1-170$32.95

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If you point your browser towards
www.atlantacutlery.com , you will be re-directed to their page. Look in the section for Ethnic Knives and Swords; the qama is listed on the first page of that sub-section.

The price looks right but shipping to the UK may bring the value per cost down.

Cheers

Glen

It's a decent piece, functional. One of the handle scales is a tiny bit loose, but that's nothing a decent epoxy wouldn't fix.

I'd hate to have someone chasing me around with one.

I would agree. A friend of mine has one that I've handled a bit. Its light and fast with a very wicked point.
Its a simple construction but all the better, very functional and yes, very nasty looking.

dave

Thanks for the information gentlemen. The point does look very fine and slender. Would you have any fear of it breaking?
Geoff

[ Linked Image ]

We'll see if that works. If it shows, it is the picture from the site.

Windlass stuff is generally soft enough that it would probably bend a couple of times before it broke.

Cheers

Glen

I had one of the Windlass Qama. It was a pretty decent piece for the price. Mine was solid and pretty clean. The only flaw that was really noticeable was on mine the tang symetry was abysmal... One side was far wider than the opposite edge. No big deal since the scales were carved to even it all out, but it was easy to see. On the other hand, the tang was thick enough that I would never have worried about a failure there. The only other thing on mine was that the rivets were kind of uncomfortable. I imagine that might just be a matter of gettin accustomed to the style, though... Overall, I wouldn't mind having mine back (since I sold it ). I think rather than buy another one, though, I am going to just make my own when I get the chance.

An update ......... Oh Well. I tried an e-mail to Atlanta for a little more information, but no reply a fortnight later, so I think maybe they wouldn't be my best choice to deal with (perhaps they concentrate on their home market - makes sense). Still, thanks to everyone for all the information.

By the way, some folks recommend buying this weapon, narrowing the tang and rehilting as a gladius. If you're handy, $35 plus, say, $15 for hardwood and bone hilt furniture is hard to beat for a gladius.

The first time I placed an internet order with MRL, there was no confirmation e-mail and after a few days I e-d them. Their reply came after the sword did. They also have had some intrnet shopping cart issues when items are backordered.

When in doubt, best to phone;
Work Phone: 800-883-0300
Fax:770-388-0246

It's best to phone during their business hours because after hour operators are often very indirectly connected to the process.

I waited a month for an item, only to find the order had never been processed. A phone call took care of the doubt and they sent me a freebie for my troubles (albiet a very cheap knife).

Cheers

Glen

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Geoff Wood wrote:

An update ......... Oh Well. I tried an e-mail to Atlanta for a little more information, but no reply a fortnight later, so I think maybe they wouldn't be my best choice to deal with (perhaps they concentrate on their home market - makes sense). Still, thanks to everyone for all the information.

Call them... They're nice people.