Definition of a Greek yataghan?

[ariel]

Kubur,
Here a yataghan ( bichaq) produced for a Greek customer in Anatolia ( Pergamos).
Taken from e-bay, auction ended.

[sfenoid13]

Originally Posted by ariel

Kubur,
Here a yataghan ( bichaq) produced for a Greek customer in Anatolia ( Pergamos).
Taken from e-bay, auction ended.

Ariel, I don’t understand why you of all people who is a quasi-expert in these matters would call this knife a “yatagan”. I know people use the name because of the handle resemblance and to get more hits on eBay but you and people here should not call this “knife”(bichaq) a yatagan. It has nothing to do with it. Yes it’s Greek but not a Yatagan.

[ariel]

What in particular makes you certain that this dagger has nothing to do with a family of Yataghans?

[kronckew]

The Balkan machaira/Greek kopis was carried (and presumably some were lost in battle) by Alexander thru Anatolia, Persia, Afghanistan, the 'Hindu kush', thru the Himalayas and through India, and back though the northern gulf coast, and after his death into Egypt and beyond. Considering the active well used trading routes of the time, the design as well as the weapons themselves could easily travel to north africa and thru India to SE asia. 'Parallel evolution' can easily be cultural appropriation. Hey, this vase is cool, can you make me a big knife like that greek fellow on my wine jug? We tend to forget even the Romans, as well as the greeks traded with India and beyond, for silks and spices, and it was a two way system connecting from the bronze age up till the modern age, without gaps.

[kronckew]

p.s.- my Balkan/Romanian 'greek' shepherds knife or karakulak yat, 24 in. blade, small ears, integral bolster.

[TVV]

Originally Posted by kronckew

p.s.- my Balkan/Romanian 'greek' shepherds knife or karakulak yat, 24 in. blade, small ears, integral bolster.

I am curious about the Romanian attribution - can you explain?

Thank you,
Teodor

[kronckew]

Originally Posted by TVV

I am curious about the Romanian attribution - can you explain?

Thank you,
Teodor

I bought it from a Romanian dealer in Bucharest who got it from 'somewhere in the mountains'.

[Kubur]

Originally Posted by sfenoid13

Ariel, I don’t understand why you of all people who is a quasi-expert in these matters would call this knife a “yatagan”. I know people use the name because of the handle resemblance and to get more hits on eBay but you and people here should not call this “knife”(bichaq) a yatagan. It has nothing to do with it. Yes it’s Greek but not a Yatagan.

I think Arial wrote bichaq.

Ariel you got my idea, even if you probably don't share it.

This is a good example of Greek weapon, a good Christian orthodox dagger with typical niello and engravings i don't even speak of the date nor the inscription on the blade...

I think this dagger has a nice yataghan handle

I saw some daggers with yataganish blades

so my questions are
what is the minimum and maximum size for a yataghan?
a yataghan is it the blade or the handle?
i saw many yataghans with straight blades