Bichaq but where from...?

Jim McDougall · 3rd September 2025, 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 · 3rd September 2025, 02:28 AM

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

Jim McDougall · 3rd September 2025, 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.

3rd September 2025, 02:10 AM	#1
Jim McDougall Arms Historian Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Route 66 Posts: 10,562	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.

3rd September 2025, 02:28 AM	#2
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,316	From the handle decor, I would say Sarajevo or around there.