A personal favourite, Uzbek knife

Gavin Nugent · 13th July 2020, 09:14 PM

I'm often asked what it is that I collect... I probably collect way too many things in some peoples eyes, perhaps not enough in others and am forever asked why on earth did I sell this or did I sell that...

Of all the items in all the draws and cabinets, my favourite piece is rather simple by comparison to many items here, including related knives from the region.

My favourite is this delightfully simple Uzbekistan pichoq or pchak from the Karatagh mountain provinces of Southern Bukhara.
Ergonomically perfect and razor sharp with a nasty up-swept tip.
By design it just begs to work as a daily utility knife. From cooking and eating to personal defence, it is perfectly suited.

Gavin

mariusgmioc · 13th July 2020, 09:20 PM

What a beautiful blade.

I understand why is your favourite!

Rick · 13th July 2020, 09:48 PM

She's a beauty Gavin.
What's the handle material; looks interesting.

Gavin Nugent · 13th July 2020, 09:56 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rick

She's a beauty Gavin.
What's the handle material; looks interesting.

Thanks Rick,

It's a burl timber.

I can't find any literature that specifically identifies the timber types used in sword and knife making

ariel · 13th July 2020, 10:05 PM

Moreover, trees and bushes over there are largely unknown at the West. Try chinara, saxaul.

Ren Ren · 13th July 2020, 11:06 PM

Incredibly beautiful blade!
This style makes me associate with East Turkestan - knifemakers in modern Uzbekistan do not know how to work.
About this wood I was told that this is the burl of Pistachio tree (Latin - Pistacia vera).

Gavin Nugent · 13th July 2020, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by mariusgmioc

What a beautiful blade.

I understand why is your favourite!

Thank you mariusgmioc. By repute from the region, the blade surfaces do likely hide a Central Asian wootz... this one I prefer to leave as is though

DaveA · 19th July 2020, 12:54 AM

A beautiful knife Gavin, thanks for posting. Is the medial ridge a common feature on the pichok? I have not seen one before. I do love the upswept blade.

Here is a pichok from Bukhara in my collection. One of my favorites, but I have too many favorites to single one out!

Gavin Nugent · 20th July 2020, 12:33 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DaveA

A beautiful knife Gavin, thanks for posting. Is the medial ridge a common feature on the pichok? I have not seen one before. I do love the upswept blade.

Here is a pichok from Bukhara in my collection. One of my favorites, but I have too many favorites to single one out!

Dave,

That's a nice knife. I've enjoyed your online collection when looking in to these knives in the past.

Question; Is yours Bukhara or further east in to Uyghur regions?

In answer to your question about the ridge, not something I have seen before but to be honest, I've never looked too hard either.
The other five here all have flat backs. Some have incised lines running the length of the spine but no other notable features.

Gavin

13th July 2020, 09:14 PM	#1
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	A personal favourite, Uzbek knife I'm often asked what it is that I collect... I probably collect way too many things in some peoples eyes, perhaps not enough in others and am forever asked why on earth did I sell this or did I sell that... Of all the items in all the draws and cabinets, my favourite piece is rather simple by comparison to many items here, including related knives from the region. My favourite is this delightfully simple Uzbekistan pichoq or pchak from the Karatagh mountain provinces of Southern Bukhara. Ergonomically perfect and razor sharp with a nasty up-swept tip. By design it just begs to work as a daily utility knife. From cooking and eating to personal defence, it is perfectly suited. Gavin Attached Images Last edited by Gavin Nugent; 13th July 2020 at 09:32 PM.

19th July 2020, 12:54 AM	#8
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 413	For comparison, pichoq from Bukhara A beautiful knife Gavin, thanks for posting. Is the medial ridge a common feature on the pichok? I have not seen one before. I do love the upswept blade. Here is a pichok from Bukhara in my collection. One of my favorites, but I have too many favorites to single one out! Attached Images

13th July 2020, 09:20 PM	#2
mariusgmioc Member Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Austria Posts: 1,903	What a beautiful blade. I understand why is your favourite!

13th July 2020, 09:48 PM	#3
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,293	She's a beauty Gavin. What's the handle material; looks interesting.

13th July 2020, 10:05 PM	#5
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Moreover, trees and bushes over there are largely unknown at the West. Try chinara, saxaul.

13th July 2020, 11:06 PM	#6
Ren Ren Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: Russia, Moscow Posts: 372	Incredibly beautiful blade! This style makes me associate with East Turkestan - knifemakers in modern Uzbekistan do not know how to work. About this wood I was told that this is the burl of Pistachio tree (Latin - Pistacia vera).