Small Ottoman (?) knife for ID, Bulgarian shepherd's knife?

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by drac2k

Very nice knife; the blade profile and the file work remind me of Cretan blades.

Thank you!

[TVV]

This is not connected to Bulgarian shepherd's knives for sure. To me it is reminiscent of Central Asian knives, such as the Uzbek pichok (you can see some earlier Bukhara examples in the Moser collection, etc. for comparison). This does not mean it is not Ottoman - in fact, it most probably is, but it is an older Central Asian form and not connected to the Balkans.

Teodor

[Sajen]

Thank you very much Teodor!

Regards,
Detlef

[sfenoid13]

I collect these knives and I know it is Ottoman Turkish from the Black Sea region. It belongs to Laz people. Laz people, today considered a minority muslim community in Turkey live along the Black Sea especially Trebizond area and are excellent knive makers, even today. this style was popular at the beginning o fthe century early 1900s until 40s and even 50s. They have somewhet changed in style but they have a dinstinct style and very detailed and quality workmanship and decorations. If you know Laz Yatagans you know what I am talking about . These knives arealso known as "bichak" or "saldirma", you can also search "Karadeniz Saldirma" in google and you will see similar knives. My favorite knife type.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by sfenoid13

I collect these knives and I know it is Ottoman Turkish from the Black Sea region. It belongs to Laz people. Laz people, today considered a minority muslim community in Turkey live along the Black Sea especially Trebizond area and are excellent knive makers, even today. this style was popular at the beginning o fthe century early 1900s until 40s and even 50s. They have somewhet changed in style but they have a dinstinct style and very detailed and quality workmanship and decorations. If you know Laz Yatagans you know what I am talking about . These knives arealso known as "bichak" or "saldirma", you can also search "Karadeniz Saldirma" in google and you will see similar knives. My favorite knife type.

Hello Sfenoid,

thank you very much for pin down the exact origin of this little knife. Sadly my search with your given keywords don't show any similar knives.
Would you be so kind to show some of your examples for comparison? So we would have a reference thread to show this knife type.

Regards,
Detlef

[sfenoid13]

Hi,
I just realized how hard it is to find good samples of these knives online . They come from a very small area and they have a very specific style and design to them, with some variations of course. The main town that produces them is Surmene, so you can also look up Surmene Knife in yoru search. You will see that they still make these knives today, actually very similar looking to your samples as well (other than the handle style and bronze details).
I dont have pictures of my collection readily available but I found some examples online for you just now.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by sfenoid13

Hi,
I just realized how hard it is to find good samples of these knives online . They come from a very small area and they have a very specific style and design to them, with some variations of course. The main town that produces them is Surmene, so you can also look up Surmene Knife in yoru search. You will see that they still make these knives today, actually very similar looking to your samples as well (other than the handle style and bronze details).
I dont have pictures of my collection readily available but I found some examples online for you just now.

Hi Sfenoid,
thank you very much for the provided examples, now I see that you are correct. Do you know the purpose of this knives? Utility? Weapon?
I don't want to give pressure but would be glad to see your collection of this knife type (saldirma) one day!
Any age guess by my example?
Regards,
Detlef