Bichoq? Or something else

Kubur · 3rd June 2015, 09:37 AM

and same decoration on the tabuka...

DaveA · 4th June 2015, 05:06 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, 05:50 AM

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

Kubur · 4th June 2015, 09:19 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

Iain · 4th June 2015, 09:53 AM

I would agree that the bolster plate with the four petal motif (a common Berber element found deep into the Sahel) is probably later than the blade. Certainly looks like the decorative elements belong in the North African sphere.

A lovely piece, I really like the blade style.

ariel · 5th June 2015, 05:03 PM

It is Uzbeki Pichok ( P'chak). There were multiple varieties of these knives, from different localities and with different local sub-names indicatiing different purposes. The ones with the upturned point ( forgot its local moniker:-)) were allegedly unsuitable for stabbing and were therefore used ( or classified) as utility knives.
It is rare to find an old one like that. The market is awash in modern productions, partly from Uzbekistan, partly from Ujghur area of China. But this one is a keeper.

Good eye and good buy!

DaveA · 6th June 2015, 03:33 AM

Thanks Ariel.

I know the Soviets confiscated many of these knives in usbekistan in an effort to stamp out local culture, and as a result the old ones are quite scarce. I have two other pichoq, one from Tashkent and one from Chust, good steel, but both more modern in style and unique in their own way. So my eye was tuned! Nevertheless, I have not seen this shape before and so I am glad for the feedback.

I'm fascinated by how this style is found in very similar form and name from N. Africa to the Balkans (bıçak) to Uzbekistan (pichoq) to India ( pichangatti).

Dave A

3rd June 2015, 09:37 AM	#1
Kubur Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 2,145	and same decoration on the tabuka... Attached Images

4th June 2015, 05:06 AM	#2
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	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, 05:50 AM	#3
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	More pictures - What is it? I cleaned it up a bit. Here are some close up photos showing more detail. Attached Images

6th June 2015, 03:33 AM	#7
DaveA Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Wisconsin, USA Posts: 415	Thanks Ariel. I know the Soviets confiscated many of these knives in usbekistan in an effort to stamp out local culture, and as a result the old ones are quite scarce. I have two other pichoq, one from Tashkent and one from Chust, good steel, but both more modern in style and unique in their own way. So my eye was tuned! Nevertheless, I have not seen this shape before and so I am glad for the feedback. I'm fascinated by how this style is found in very similar form and name from N. Africa to the Balkans (bıçak) to Uzbekistan (pichoq) to India ( pichangatti). Dave A Last edited by DaveA; 6th June 2015 at 04:15 AM.

4th June 2015, 09:19 AM	#4
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

4th June 2015, 09:53 AM	#5
Iain Member Join Date: Mar 2010 Location: Olomouc Posts: 1,708	I would agree that the bolster plate with the four petal motif (a common Berber element found deep into the Sahel) is probably later than the blade. Certainly looks like the decorative elements belong in the North African sphere. A lovely piece, I really like the blade style.

5th June 2015, 05:03 PM	#6
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	It is Uzbeki Pichok ( P'chak). There were multiple varieties of these knives, from different localities and with different local sub-names indicatiing different purposes. The ones with the upturned point ( forgot its local moniker:-)) were allegedly unsuitable for stabbing and were therefore used ( or classified) as utility knives. It is rare to find an old one like that. The market is awash in modern productions, partly from Uzbekistan, partly from Ujghur area of China. But this one is a keeper. Good eye and good buy!