Kindjal ID

ariel · 11th April 2012, 11:45 PM

It is a better than average kindjal, to put it mildly :-)
The core seems to be of real mechanical damascus. and the handle has "steps" at both ends. According to Kirill Rivkin's book, this is indicative of rather earlier models, before 1850.

Pity it has some deep rust at the edge, but that's not uncommon with Caucasian stuff. The scabbard is new, of course, and it's silver fittings do not seem to match the handle's, but I might be mistaken: better pics might help. The upper one is missing, unfortunately, suggesting heavy-duty renovation of the scabbard. But the kindjal itself, and especially the blade are very, very, very nice. I would try to etch it a little: would not be surprised to find a "hamon"-like edge. Caucasians used the same technique as the Japanese.
Very nice one, congratulations!

Jeff D · 12th April 2012, 02:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

... According to Kirill Rivkin's book, ...

Kirill published a book? How do I find it?

Jeff

ariel · 12th April 2012, 07:19 AM

https://docs.google.com/present/view...99km_9dvgcqdgc

He and Oliver Pinchot.
It is on the military traditions and the weapons of the Caucasus.
Mostly it is in Russian, with only short summaries of chapters in English, but the devil is in the details, and those are obtainable only from the full text. Legends of the illustrations are also in English, but again, the idiosyncratic style ( very enjoyable!), the argumentation, the context and the little details that are so valuable in the original, are to be found only in the full Russian text. It is very controversial, breaks a lot of taboos and misconceptions and takes no prisoners:-). I like it a lot.

I have spare copies, but currently I am out of town till May 5.
If you need it, but have problems ordering it from a Ukrainian publisher (BTW, a remarkable man, absolute fanatic of historical weapons and a very generous supporter of academic research), get in touch with me after that date.

Jeff D · 13th April 2012, 02:23 AM

Thanks Ariel,

I will try to get a copy and will PM you if I need one of your extras.

Awesome!
Jeff

11th April 2012, 11:45 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	It is a better than average kindjal, to put it mildly :-) The core seems to be of real mechanical damascus. and the handle has "steps" at both ends. According to Kirill Rivkin's book, this is indicative of rather earlier models, before 1850. Pity it has some deep rust at the edge, but that's not uncommon with Caucasian stuff. The scabbard is new, of course, and it's silver fittings do not seem to match the handle's, but I might be mistaken: better pics might help. The upper one is missing, unfortunately, suggesting heavy-duty renovation of the scabbard. But the kindjal itself, and especially the blade are very, very, very nice. I would try to etch it a little: would not be surprised to find a "hamon"-like edge. Caucasians used the same technique as the Japanese. Very nice one, congratulations!

12th April 2012, 07:19 AM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	https://docs.google.com/present/view...99km_9dvgcqdgc He and Oliver Pinchot. It is on the military traditions and the weapons of the Caucasus. Mostly it is in Russian, with only short summaries of chapters in English, but the devil is in the details, and those are obtainable only from the full text. Legends of the illustrations are also in English, but again, the idiosyncratic style ( very enjoyable!), the argumentation, the context and the little details that are so valuable in the original, are to be found only in the full Russian text. It is very controversial, breaks a lot of taboos and misconceptions and takes no prisoners:-). I like it a lot. I have spare copies, but currently I am out of town till May 5. If you need it, but have problems ordering it from a Ukrainian publisher (BTW, a remarkable man, absolute fanatic of historical weapons and a very generous supporter of academic research), get in touch with me after that date.

13th April 2012, 02:23 AM	#4
Jeff D Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: B.C. Canada Posts: 473	Thanks Ariel, I will try to get a copy and will PM you if I need one of your extras. Awesome! Jeff