Origins of Shepherds' Knives and Karakulaks

gp · 30th June 2021, 07:29 PM

most interesting topic! thank you very much. Some more reading from the Balkans on the topic and yataghans ( unfortunately not all in English or not all in partial English) and a few available in legal downloads as well

ariel · 30th June 2021, 10:12 PM

Another potential source of “ karakulaks” is Crimean Khanate, either directly ( they are close) or thru the Ottomans. There are archeological findings in and around Crimea of yataghan-like blades of 12-14 centuries. At the end of 15 century ( more precisely 1475) there was an invasion of Crimea by the Ottomans to put their chosen khan on the throne.

Literally, within the next 40 years we get absolute copies of these blades on the “Royal” yataghans with the handles very similar to the Crimean examples. Let’s not forget that Crimean Khans were direct descendants of Chingiz Khan and as such were venerated by the Ottomans to the point that a Crimean Khan was supposed to take the Ottoman throne in case of no direct Ottoman heir. The last Khan, Shahin Girey was sent by the Ottoman to Rhodes, accused for trying to become a Sultan and executed.

Then , from the Royal examples yataghans diffused down first to the janissaries and then all over, but this time with eared pommels. Why eared ? I have a very fantasy- sounding theory with a lot of conjectures, but let me think about it some more.

gp · 30th June 2021, 10:40 PM

Atkinson mentions : "hilts with "ears" that were used by Turks earlier than the 12th century and can be traced back to Central Asia where bronze-age knives of this type have been found. One origin suggested for the term "yataghan" suggests it is derived from the name of an Uzbek tribe called "Kataghan"."

30th June 2021, 07:29 PM	#1
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 830	most interesting topic! thank you very much. Some more reading from the Balkans on the topic and yataghans ( unfortunately not all in English or not all in partial English) and a few available in legal downloads as well Attached Images Last edited by gp; 30th June 2021 at 08:33 PM.

30th June 2021, 10:12 PM	#2
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Another potential source of “ karakulaks” is Crimean Khanate, either directly ( they are close) or thru the Ottomans. There are archeological findings in and around Crimea of yataghan-like blades of 12-14 centuries. At the end of 15 century ( more precisely 1475) there was an invasion of Crimea by the Ottomans to put their chosen khan on the throne. Literally, within the next 40 years we get absolute copies of these blades on the “Royal” yataghans with the handles very similar to the Crimean examples. Let’s not forget that Crimean Khans were direct descendants of Chingiz Khan and as such were venerated by the Ottomans to the point that a Crimean Khan was supposed to take the Ottoman throne in case of no direct Ottoman heir. The last Khan, Shahin Girey was sent by the Ottoman to Rhodes, accused for trying to become a Sultan and executed. Then , from the Royal examples yataghans diffused down first to the janissaries and then all over, but this time with eared pommels. Why eared ? I have a very fantasy- sounding theory with a lot of conjectures, but let me think about it some more.

30th June 2021, 10:40 PM	#3
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 830	Atkinson mentions : "hilts with "ears" that were used by Turks earlier than the 12th century and can be traced back to Central Asia where bronze-age knives of this type have been found. One origin suggested for the term "yataghan" suggests it is derived from the name of an Uzbek tribe called "Kataghan"."