Caucasian Kindjal for comment

ariel · 26th June 2020, 06:50 PM

I am reviving this topic to point out a dramatic change in Georgian weapons that occurred over the past several years.

Originally, in the 1990s, contemporary Georgian dealers were able to sell truly old examples. But inevitably those got exhausted. Instead came a flurry of junk made by amateurs. With time, there came a small but growing group of enthusiasts rediscovering history of Caucasian weapons and old techniques. They were greatly assisted by books written by Kirill Rivkin who systematized the localities, varieties, metallurgy and decorative techniques of Caucasian bladed weapons. Through trial and error they managed to produce modern examples that would definitely qualified as “good” by the old masters. Of course, they are not yet at the level of Eliarov, Papov, Purunsuzov and their illustrious contemporaries, but with time and money there is no reason to be pessimistic.

Edster · 27th June 2020, 03:58 PM

Ariel,

Thanks for reviving this thread. I have two such Kindjals I bought in Russia in the late '90s that may illustrate the downfall of the Caucasus traditions. I would appreciate an assessment of their quality and traditional validity. I have no ego investment into the items.

The bottom example of 2nd pic & first picture in post) was naively bought in Moscow as a souvenir. The three narrow fullers look ground and the metal shows what looks like copper/alloy peeking through a white metal coating.

The top knife was bought in (I think) Stavropol. It exhibits a more quality workmanship, but is it really "hand work"? The metal looks silver, but I couldn't get a good test using what may be degraded test solution. There is a red felt-like protector for the blade at the mouth of the sheath. Also, the knife was supplied with a long white (cotton?) sleeve for protection.

Best regards,
Ed

ariel · 28th June 2020, 12:09 PM

Yes, that was the sad time of cheap junk.
But here is a newly made kindjal, - blade, scabbard, handle, decoration. Georgian masters made a miraculous recovery and their contemporary examples are not worse than what was made in the second half of the 19 century.

27th June 2020, 03:58 PM	#2
Edster Member Join Date: Oct 2010 Posts: 440	Ariel, Thanks for reviving this thread. I have two such Kindjals I bought in Russia in the late '90s that may illustrate the downfall of the Caucasus traditions. I would appreciate an assessment of their quality and traditional validity. I have no ego investment into the items. The bottom example of 2nd pic & first picture in post) was naively bought in Moscow as a souvenir. The three narrow fullers look ground and the metal shows what looks like copper/alloy peeking through a white metal coating. The top knife was bought in (I think) Stavropol. It exhibits a more quality workmanship, but is it really "hand work"? The metal looks silver, but I couldn't get a good test using what may be degraded test solution. There is a red felt-like protector for the blade at the mouth of the sheath. Also, the knife was supplied with a long white (cotton?) sleeve for protection. Best regards, Ed Attached Images Last edited by Edster; 27th June 2020 at 04:52 PM.

28th June 2020, 12:09 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Yes, that was the sad time of cheap junk. But here is a newly made kindjal, - blade, scabbard, handle, decoration. Georgian masters made a miraculous recovery and their contemporary examples are not worse than what was made in the second half of the 19 century. Attached Images

26th June 2020, 06:50 PM	#1
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	I am reviving this topic to point out a dramatic change in Georgian weapons that occurred over the past several years. Originally, in the 1990s, contemporary Georgian dealers were able to sell truly old examples. But inevitably those got exhausted. Instead came a flurry of junk made by amateurs. With time, there came a small but growing group of enthusiasts rediscovering history of Caucasian weapons and old techniques. They were greatly assisted by books written by Kirill Rivkin who systematized the localities, varieties, metallurgy and decorative techniques of Caucasian bladed weapons. Through trial and error they managed to produce modern examples that would definitely qualified as “good” by the old masters. Of course, they are not yet at the level of Eliarov, Papov, Purunsuzov and their illustrious contemporaries, but with time and money there is no reason to be pessimistic.