Bichaq but where from...?

gp · 1st September 2025, 03:07 PM

I considered myself lucky to trade this one ( which I believed to be a Balkan one...

) for an Ottoman dagger of 47 cm long with a silver scabbard.

The more I look, the more I like it but also the more doubts I have concering the origine...as I never have seen this type of bichaq.

It could as well be not Balkan but Caucasian, Middle East, or even not Ottoman..Asian (India)
Who knows...? ( one of my favourite Jimi Hendrix songs

)

But can the forum shed a light'on this ...?
and clear up this poor Cloggy from Holland...?
Have I got something? or ?
not and just a Tourist piece...? being taken for a ride...

although I think it is quite old, looking at the wear, patina and condition of the material

The length is just under 27 cm total.

Your thoughts please! Much obliged!

Ian · Yesterday, 06:22 AM

gp

I don’t know where this one is from. However, I think you have a quality piece. If I’m not mistaken, the hilt is ivory and not bone.

gp · Yesterday, 08:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

gp

I don’t know where this one is from. However, I think you have a quality piece. If I’m not mistaken, the hilt is ivory and not bone.

Thank you very much for your feedback!

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:10 AM

Ive been looking everywhere, cannot believe the dearth of info on bichaqs. Faktor ("Knives and Daggers" has a BALKAN dagger with ivory decorated with brass studs and circles resembling this, noted as 18th-19th c.

Knives are the hardest thing IMO to identify as they are so personal, and the artisans who made them were so much more prevalent than sword cutlers. The closest you can get is localized conventions and favored traditions prevalent in certain regions.

Like the Hendrix nod

, from what I remember of the 60s in So.Cal. ...Purple Haze man!

So not sure if 'bichag' but certainly a very old, probably Balkan dagger.

Have gotten pretty fired up on knives since you rekindled the puukko thing! so I excavated a pile of old knives acquired years ago in Germany from an eclectic collector so will start a new thread so not to derail here.
Hope those of who who collect knives can help.

Battara · Today, 02:28 AM

From the handle decor, I would say Sarajevo or around there.

Jim McDougall · Today, 02:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Battara

From the handle decor, I would say Sarajevo or around there.

The other Balkan knife in Faktor (Ill get pics tomorrow) has the same designs on the hilt, and it is suggested Bosnian so think you're right Jose.

RobT · Today, 03:17 AM

Hi gp,

Nice dagger. The hilt decoration looks like Sarajevo work to me. Although humble, I don’t think it’s tourist because it appears to have been carefully made and there isn’t any cheap bling meant to catch a tourist’s eye. I suspect that the hilt is bone and the butt cap (which I also suspect is bone) is there to cover up the blood vessel core of the hilt. The brass washer between the hilt and the butt cap is there to hide the line that would show between the two components.

Sincerely,
RobT

1st September 2025, 03:07 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 865	Bichaq but where from...? I considered myself lucky to trade this one ( which I believed to be a Balkan one...) for an Ottoman dagger of 47 cm long with a silver scabbard. The more I look, the more I like it but also the more doubts I have concering the origine...as I never have seen this type of bichaq. It could as well be not Balkan but Caucasian, Middle East, or even not Ottoman..Asian (India) Who knows...? ( one of my favourite Jimi Hendrix songs ) But can the forum shed a light'on this ...? and clear up this poor Cloggy from Holland...? Have I got something? or ? not and just a Tourist piece...? being taken for a ride... although I think it is quite old, looking at the wear, patina and condition of the material The length is just under 27 cm total. Your thoughts please! Much obliged! Attached Images Last edited by gp; Yesterday at 08:43 AM.

Today, 03:17 AM	#7
RobT Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Posts: 566	I vote for Sarajevo w/Bone Hilt Hi gp, Nice dagger. The hilt decoration looks like Sarajevo work to me. Although humble, I don’t think it’s tourist because it appears to have been carefully made and there isn’t any cheap bling meant to catch a tourist’s eye. I suspect that the hilt is bone and the butt cap (which I also suspect is bone) is there to cover up the blood vessel core of the hilt. The brass washer between the hilt and the butt cap is there to hide the line that would show between the two components. Sincerely, RobT

Yesterday, 06:22 AM	#2
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,463	gp I don’t know where this one is from. However, I think you have a quality piece. If I’m not mistaken, the hilt is ivory and not bone.

Today, 02:10 AM	#4
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,549	Ive been looking everywhere, cannot believe the dearth of info on bichaqs. Faktor ("Knives and Daggers" has a BALKAN dagger with ivory decorated with brass studs and circles resembling this, noted as 18th-19th c. Knives are the hardest thing IMO to identify as they are so personal, and the artisans who made them were so much more prevalent than sword cutlers. The closest you can get is localized conventions and favored traditions prevalent in certain regions. Like the Hendrix nod , from what I remember of the 60s in So.Cal. ...Purple Haze man! So not sure if 'bichag' but certainly a very old, probably Balkan dagger. Have gotten pretty fired up on knives since you rekindled the puukko thing! so I excavated a pile of old knives acquired years ago in Germany from an eclectic collector so will start a new thread so not to derail here. Hope those of who who collect knives can help.

Today, 02:28 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,316	From the handle decor, I would say Sarajevo or around there.