Balkan knife

gp · 26th November 2024, 08:38 PM

Won recently a lot which looks a little like a Bosnian knife ( the handle / grip) as described in Kozo's book, but it is different; the blade is longer ...

Your thoughts please, thank you

Sajen · 26th November 2024, 09:11 PM

The only thing I can say, NICE!

David R · 28th November 2024, 12:28 AM

A very nice piece, possibly a repurposed pistol grip?

gp · 28th November 2024, 07:27 PM

thank you gents! The idea of the pistolgrip did occur also to another by me highly respected forum member whom I asked for his opinion.
Except for the above picture in the book of a similar grip but with a much smaller blade, I never have seen this kind of knife.
Might perhaps be indeed a strong indication of a repurposed item...
Also because of its decoration, often seen on pistols , which differs completely from the decoration on yataghans, bichaqs and kamas.
Be it Balkan, Caucasian or Ottoman motherland...

gp · 24th June 2025, 12:14 PM

Happy to received a second one; sizes are 17 cm and 27 cm.

Still haven't seen any around in auctions or collector's site.

Any forum members know more or have seen them except in Kozo's book?

serdar · 24th June 2025, 11:19 PM

Hy,
A Bosnian made (mainly) knife, there is plenty of them in Bosnia, in Croatia on all flee markets and antique fairs, very comon things.

This one is on sale on Bosnian site.

They are regarded “tourist or suvenier” things here, i think 20 century production first half.
But i have seen similar ones without decorations, that i think are 19 century, and are looking lot more “serious and ment for bussines”, without decorations of any kinds, and nice build quality.

gp · 26th June 2025, 09:14 AM

Interesting ! And thank you for your comment!

Yet Kozo does not show cold weapons for tourists in his book and the one he shows is also a decorated one…
Your example describes it “vojni” as a military or war knife…?

Strange also if they are that common for sale, I never have seen them for sale on auction and sale sites of the former Yu; Slovenia, Croatia , Serbia during the last couple of years.

As for Bosnian sites; I stopped looking there since they are or were less interesting to me as their prices were really inflated….like the Dinar before the tragic events in the 90ies….many sellers had and still have dollar signs in their eyes…:-)
Where as these cold weapons, specially bichaqs can be found for reasonable prices at auction and sales sites in Western Europe

26th November 2024, 08:38 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 925	Balkan knife Won recently a lot which looks a little like a Bosnian knife ( the handle / grip) as described in Kozo's book, but it is different; the blade is longer ... Your thoughts please, thank you Attached Images Last edited by gp; 27th November 2024 at 01:34 AM.

24th June 2025, 12:14 PM	#5
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 925	Happy to received a second one; sizes are 17 cm and 27 cm. Still haven't seen any around in auctions or collector's site. Any forum members know more or have seen them except in Kozo's book? Attached Images

24th June 2025, 11:19 PM	#6
serdar Member Join Date: Feb 2023 Posts: 190	Hy, A Bosnian made (mainly) knife, there is plenty of them in Bosnia, in Croatia on all flee markets and antique fairs, very comon things. This one is on sale on Bosnian site. They are regarded “tourist or suvenier” things here, i think 20 century production first half. But i have seen similar ones without decorations, that i think are 19 century, and are looking lot more “serious and ment for bussines”, without decorations of any kinds, and nice build quality. Attached Images

26th November 2024, 09:11 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 9,415	The only thing I can say, NICE!

28th November 2024, 12:28 AM	#3
David R Member Join Date: Jan 2011 Posts: 1,135	A very nice piece, possibly a repurposed pistol grip?

28th November 2024, 07:27 PM	#4
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 925	thank you gents! The idea of the pistolgrip did occur also to another by me highly respected forum member whom I asked for his opinion. Except for the above picture in the book of a similar grip but with a much smaller blade, I never have seen this kind of knife. Might perhaps be indeed a strong indication of a repurposed item... Also because of its decoration, often seen on pistols , which differs completely from the decoration on yataghans, bichaqs and kamas. Be it Balkan, Caucasian or Ottoman motherland...

26th June 2025, 09:14 AM	#7
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 925	Interesting ! And thank you for your comment! Yet Kozo does not show cold weapons for tourists in his book and the one he shows is also a decorated one… Your example describes it “vojni” as a military or war knife…? Strange also if they are that common for sale, I never have seen them for sale on auction and sale sites of the former Yu; Slovenia, Croatia , Serbia during the last couple of years. As for Bosnian sites; I stopped looking there since they are or were less interesting to me as their prices were really inflated….like the Dinar before the tragic events in the 90ies….many sellers had and still have dollar signs in their eyes…:-) Where as these cold weapons, specially bichaqs can be found for reasonable prices at auction and sales sites in Western Europe