Bichoq? Or something else

DaveA · 3rd June 2015, 06:13 AM

Hello all,

Here is a knife I recently acquired, advertised as "Ottoman". I would put it into the bichoq family, but the shape of the upswept tip and a slightly concave back gives me pause.

Any thoughts?

Best Regards,

Dave A

Kubur · 3rd June 2015, 10:23 AM

Hi Dave
Again a strange stuff, the forte looks like these Saharian daggers.
The blade looks like an Ottoman bishaq. And the hilt is a mix of North African and Balkans. It's the reason why I will say Algerian or Tunisan bishaq. You didn't mention the size...
Best,
Kubur

Kubur · 3rd June 2015, 10:37 AM

and same decoration on the tabuka...

DaveA · 4th June 2015, 06:06 AM

Thank you Kabur! I love a mystery.

Regarding size, this knife is 10 ¼ inch overall, the blade 6 ½ inches. The width is precisely 1 inch at the forte and ¼ inch thick, tapering distally to the tip.

I will post some better photos soon after I clean it up a bit.

Best Regards,

Dave A.

DaveA · 4th June 2015, 06:50 AM

I cleaned it up a bit. Here are some close up photos showing more detail.

Kubur · 4th June 2015, 10:19 AM

it's a nice piece!
My feeling is that the blade was made in the Balkans or in the Golden Horn then the handle and forte were added in Tunisia.
It happened frequently with swords and pistols.
But maybe I'm completely wrong and it's a pure North African knife.
I hope you will have more comments from the forumnites.
Best,
Kubur

3rd June 2015, 06:13 AM	#1
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Bichoq? Or something else Hello all, Here is a knife I recently acquired, advertised as "Ottoman". I would put it into the bichoq family, but the shape of the upswept tip and a slightly concave back gives me pause. Any thoughts? Best Regards, Dave A Attached Images

3rd June 2015, 10:37 AM	#3
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	and same decoration on the tabuka... Attached Images

4th June 2015, 06:06 AM	#4
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	Fascinating comparison Thank you Kabur! I love a mystery. Regarding size, this knife is 10 ¼ inch overall, the blade 6 ½ inches. The width is precisely 1 inch at the forte and ¼ inch thick, tapering distally to the tip. I will post some better photos soon after I clean it up a bit. Best Regards, Dave A.

4th June 2015, 06:50 AM	#5
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	More pictures - What is it? I cleaned it up a bit. Here are some close up photos showing more detail. Attached Images

3rd June 2015, 10:23 AM	#2
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	Hi Dave Again a strange stuff, the forte looks like these Saharian daggers. The blade looks like an Ottoman bishaq. And the hilt is a mix of North African and Balkans. It's the reason why I will say Algerian or Tunisan bishaq. You didn't mention the size... Best, Kubur

4th June 2015, 10:19 AM	#6
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	it's a nice piece! My feeling is that the blade was made in the Balkans or in the Golden Horn then the handle and forte were added in Tunisia. It happened frequently with swords and pistols. But maybe I'm completely wrong and it's a pure North African knife. I hope you will have more comments from the forumnites. Best, Kubur