Caucasian Kindjal for comment

[ariel]

Gav,
One can make a lot of arguments and invent a lot of reasons why this kindjal should still be viewed as representing some valuable offshot of a venerable tradition.
I suspect you are correct in ID-ing this blade as older and better than average quality. Still, the entire gestalt is of a late ( very late) manufacture when the real craftsmanship was no longer in use. There are professional masters in the Caucasus even now, and they produce expensive, time consuming and elaborate items. One can see these examples even in books and museum catalogs. Most of them are in poor taste, employ simpler techniques and compensate ( or try to) for the lack of real expertise by modern forms and features. This one does not have even that.
You may like it, and please feel free to enjoy it. Had you said that it was bought just because of personal interest or some irresistible urge, I would have understood. After all, we all bought pretty crummy things just because of emotional motives.
What I am objecting to is the attempt to present it as a legitimate example of an authentic antique and real tradition. It is not. I would not have bought it. But that would be just my personal decision.

[Gavin Nugent]

Hi Ariel,
I totally understand what it is you are conveying, though I make no claims as to value of anything as that only comes into play if one wants to sell and there is another who wants what you have.

I do however think it worthy of exhaustive research on my part and I hope all here can offer up more for me to A/ Get a better understanding of these attractive knives and B/ get a better understanding of this piece through thorough examination of all parts and construction and materials used ie; what types of wood would be found under the handles and in the sheaths, I am sure there are particular species that would be common to the region or origin, what type of methods and material is used to keep all this wood silver and blade together? Mayhap little things like this will help me dismiss any ideas about it being 1880-1920.

I know Chris Evans has offered up many llinks to the craft of making Navaja, is there anything similar that can be read about the Kindjal?

Ariel, could you explain the different styles found under this umbrella of knife in Caucasian origin as to give me and others a better understanding of design and what that design represents as far as practical weapons go ie, sizes, the plain horn hilts, the horn one side ivory the other, with plain scabbards or with silver fittings to the leather scabbards and other variations like the full silver with neillo and filagree, what are functional weapons and what are for dress only or what are both.

What does this style of blade and fullering indicate at first glance Ariel? Any age factors to the blade gained from the photos at hand?

regards

Gav

[Rick]

Hi Gav, have you been through the archives yet ?
A search for 'kindjal' brings up two pages of threads .

[Gavin Nugent]

Thanks Rick, I sure have and have turned up some very useful postings wih maps etc. I hope others who did make posting on Kindjals might be able to fast track me to any info they think I may find useful.

regards

Gav

[Nagawarrior]

Gav;
May I recommend an excellent reference book, Chechen Arms, by Isa Askhabov. The people of the Caucasus are an intensely proud people. One of their proudest possessions are their weapons. It may be considered a great insult to infer that one would carry a weapon of inferior quality. Learn about these great people and you will understand. Enjoy your quest for knowledge.
Stephen

"A secret guardian of freedom, the punishing kindjal, last arbiter in matters of disgrace and insult........"

[scratch]

G'day
I have held this piece(Thank you Gavin) Dress, I know nothing. Blade I believe to be honestly made with craft.
Norman, if not for courtesy to guide I would be lost. Thank you for a timely reminder, to me

Sinceely,

Daniel

[Lew]

The blade seems to be well made and could be a blade from early part of the 20th century. Below is a quality blade that I thought was 19th century but turned out to be circa 1920-30. So older blade married to a more recent furniture.

Lew