Central Asian (?) knife

Ian · 13th January 2018, 07:55 PM

There are a few of these around and they come up online fairly often. Somehow I have it in my head that they are Uzbek or Uighur in origin, but I cannot find anything about them online and I have searched here with no luck so far. OAL = 10.5 inches.

I know that someone here will be able to identify it precisely.

Ian.

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chregu · 13th January 2018, 09:17 PM

hello Ian
this knife comes from Slovakia.
nice piece, congratulations

Battara · 13th January 2018, 10:09 PM

Are these newly made tourist pieces?

Ian · 13th January 2018, 10:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by chregu

hello Ian
this knife comes from Slovakia.
nice piece, congratulations

Chregu:

Thanks very much for your prompt response and clear identification. I've had this knife for many years and often wondered where exactly it came from.

Ian.

Ian · 13th January 2018, 10:24 PM

what to look for, here is another example from the Oriental Arms website.

Polish/Slovak knife

"This hunting knife is coming from Poland, from the Tatra mountain region in the border of Poland and Slovakia. It is probably late 19 or early 20 C. Finely forged blade 6 inches long with clipped spine and filled back. Very nice grained wood grip with brass mounts and three prongs pommel. Total length 10 ½ inches. Very good condition. Good age patina on the blade. No scabbard."

Ian.

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Battara · 13th January 2018, 11:54 PM

Many thanks to you both. Never heard nor seen one of these before.

Bob A · 14th January 2018, 08:27 AM

Yes, Tatra Mountains. I was pleased to purchase one of the above from Artzi.
I found one other example, likewise attributed, and a boldly designed sheath, but another search failed to resurrect the information.

Ian · 14th January 2018, 05:29 PM

Another example from elsewhere on this site.

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Ian · 14th January 2018, 05:36 PM

And another from a Polish site with an article written in Polish.

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Ian · 14th January 2018, 05:49 PM

Plate showing old knives from Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. These are said to be Polish knives, and lack the three protrusions at the end of the hilt. The two in the middle have a similar blade shape.

The picture is from Holmes, Peasant Art in Austria and Hungary (2014)--see here.

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Sajen · 14th January 2018, 06:11 PM

Thank you Ian for bringing this up, very informative thread!

ausjulius · 15th January 2018, 02:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

Are these newly made tourist pieces?

they have been made since the middle ages in this sort of style .. no they are mostly made for locals.. these areas have few tourists.. id say they are more decorative now for local souvenirs..
the traditional sheaths are very decorative as well

chregu · 20th January 2018, 06:01 PM

I have not seen many of them, you can find them in Switzerland.
know her from a knife exhibition in Austria
from all European knives, that's the only thing missing in my collection

13th January 2018, 07:55 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Central Asian (?) knife There are a few of these around and they come up online fairly often. Somehow I have it in my head that they are Uzbek or Uighur in origin, but I cannot find anything about them online and I have searched here with no luck so far. OAL = 10.5 inches. I know that someone here will be able to identify it precisely. Ian. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 14th January 2018 at 06:15 AM.

13th January 2018, 10:24 PM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Now that we know ... what to look for, here is another example from the Oriental Arms website. Polish/Slovak knife "This hunting knife is coming from Poland, from the Tatra mountain region in the border of Poland and Slovakia. It is probably late 19 or early 20 C. Finely forged blade 6 inches long with clipped spine and filled back. Very nice grained wood grip with brass mounts and three prongs pommel. Total length 10 ½ inches. Very good condition. Good age patina on the blade. No scabbard." Ian. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 14th January 2018 at 05:15 AM.

14th January 2018, 05:29 PM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Another example from elsewhere on this site. . Attached Images

14th January 2018, 05:36 PM	#9
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	And another from a Polish site with an article written in Polish. . Attached Images

14th January 2018, 05:49 PM	#10
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,519	Plate showing old knives from Zakopane in the Tatra Mountains. These are said to be Polish knives, and lack the three protrusions at the end of the hilt. The two in the middle have a similar blade shape. The picture is from Holmes, Peasant Art in Austria and Hungary (2014)--see here. . Attached Images

13th January 2018, 09:17 PM	#2
chregu Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: switzerland Posts: 298	hello Ian this knife comes from Slovakia. nice piece, congratulations

13th January 2018, 10:09 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Are these newly made tourist pieces?

13th January 2018, 11:54 PM	#6
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,345	Many thanks to you both. Never heard nor seen one of these before.

14th January 2018, 08:27 AM	#7
Bob A Member Join Date: Feb 2014 Posts: 446	Yes, Tatra Mountains. I was pleased to purchase one of the above from Artzi. I found one other example, likewise attributed, and a boldly designed sheath, but another search failed to resurrect the information.

14th January 2018, 06:11 PM	#11
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	Thank you Ian for bringing this up, very informative thread!

20th January 2018, 06:01 PM	#13
chregu Member Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: switzerland Posts: 298	I have not seen many of them, you can find them in Switzerland. know her from a knife exhibition in Austria from all European knives, that's the only thing missing in my collection