Unusual Russian dagger

[Aurangzeb]

Hello All!

I just bought this unusual Russian dagger. I know it's not that old but it looks functional. It does not strike me as a tourist piece but rather a crudly made "folksy" work knife. It vagly resembles a Kindjal but I don't think it is one. I will post better pic when I get it. The story that came with it might be true but I take Ebay stories with a grain of salt! Any comments are welcome!

Mark...

http://cgi.ebay.com/Russian-Metal-Double-Edged-Blade-in-Wood-Scabbard-1970s_W0QQitemZ140058347882QQihZ004QQcategoryZ4332 5QQcmdZViewItem?hash=item140058347882

[ariel]

Any time we deal with e-bay, a pound of salt is in order!
But in this case, I have no great objections to the description. It does look like a lot of home-made knives in 1970s Russia. At that time, EVERY bladed weapon was banned ( not just "slap-on-the-wrist"- banned, but " you-go-to-jail"-banned !!! :eek: ) To purchase a hunting knife in a sporting goods store one had to bring an official permit from the police, register the knife and pay yearly tax ( just like machine guns in the US). Obviously, all hunters ( and criminals, and everybody else :D ...) had illegal,fighting style home-made knives. Something people should remember when they discuss gun control...
This one looks very much in line. Its style reminds old Russian-Varangian swords: national pride at its best! As to its alleged prison origin... Also may be true: I have a Russian book on prison knives: they made gorgeous and supersophisticated stuff in the GULAGs! Kind of underground art therapy :)

So, my friend, it all may be absolutely true!
Still.... keep the grain of salt...

[Aurangzeb]

Hello Ariel!

Thank you, very interesting information! I finally have a knife from my homeland, so nedless to say this knife is going to get special treatment! I guess when one is looking forward to spending time in the GULAG one has time to make good knives! :) All joking aside I can only imagine what the finished product was used for. So this is the "zip-gun" gun knives! :D How long did the Soviets have the policy of banning knives?

Mark...

[ariel]

Are you originally from Russia?
The policy was in effect as long as I can remember: till mid-70s..
Likely, until the collapse.

[Aurangzeb]

Hello Ariel!

I was born in Slocum, Pennsylvania. My Great-Grandfather was a Cossack who fled Russia right before the Bolsheviks overthrew the Tzar. But I still consider it "Mother Russia"! :D I speak some Russian that my grand-father taught me(and still is). I have a bad tendancy to start yelling in Russian when I get mad or mix in the occasional Russian word here or there! :D

Mark...

[ariel]

Well, kid, for a modest honorarium of a shashka or two I can teach you some Russian that will make your cossack great-grandfather blush in his grave :D

[Aurangzeb]

Here are the close up photos.

Mark...

P.S.- Ariel some basic insults in Russian would be useful... :D