> are actually phurbas, phurba is like our magical dagger.
yes, this is correct (I'm a buddhist, once was a monk many years ago, studied in India, Japan.. all 3 traditions... including a couple of years in various branches of the Tibetan , have a Tibetan altar etc).
The dorges (vajra) are rounded (like two-double loops) at both ends.. represents a lightning bolt.. enlightenment, compassion, and the "diamond", used more like a wand
the phurba is a dagger (may have been a tent peg originally), has a blade (3 edged (representing the three poisens: desire, ignorance, & hatred), may be metal or wood) and always has head (on both sides) of a wrathful deity, Dorje Phurba, his name means 'thunderbolt nail'
The phurba has a couple of uses.. but means control, dominion
1. generally a spiritual tool.. symbolizes the "cutting through" of vices, ignorance, said to be the nail that obliterates aggression by plunging the self-existent dagger of non-duality into the heart of hatred
2. a tool of exorcism, the phurba can bind, restrain demons... or free lost ghosts
some times used to mark off a sacred space
Associated with Guru Padmasambhava around 817 C.E., and his taming of demons