Turkish (?) Bichaq (?)

Conogre · 1st March 2005, 01:59 AM

Now that you mention it, I DO recall seeing a plethora of these a few years ago out of a confiscated container or such and even had 3 or 4, but the workmanship and gaudiness were so inferior in comparison that even side by side, it never occurred to me that thay could be the same weapon/knife.
Most were in either velvet or very thin brass scabbards, with many adorned with huge glass jewels!!!
I think the emblem also threw me, construing it as Turkish, thus knocking Uzbekistan out of the running.
Now I feel REALLY foolish, but it only serves to make me admire this one even more.
As it "grew" on me and I studied it more and more, it became evident that it was completely hand made, something unusual compared to most "contemporary" pieces, showing that there ARE still some outstanding traditional craftsmen carrying on time honored traditions, with their work apparently just never making it outside of their homeland.
Thank you again for opening my eyes.
Mike

derek · 1st March 2005, 03:50 PM

Last year there was a seller on ebay with about 6 or 7 of these, all recent but well-made examples with decorated soft leather sheaths. Haven't seen any more in a long while, but he did tell me that there were some people still making very good ones there. His father was a 1rst gen here and apparently had brought several back from a recent trip.
-d

ariel · 24th October 2012, 12:25 PM

A colleague from Russia just informed me that in his opinion this is an Uighur knife.

1st March 2005, 01:59 AM	#1
Conogre Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Clearwater, Florida Posts: 371	Now that you mention it, I DO recall seeing a plethora of these a few years ago out of a confiscated container or such and even had 3 or 4, but the workmanship and gaudiness were so inferior in comparison that even side by side, it never occurred to me that thay could be the same weapon/knife. Most were in either velvet or very thin brass scabbards, with many adorned with huge glass jewels!!! I think the emblem also threw me, construing it as Turkish, thus knocking Uzbekistan out of the running. Now I feel REALLY foolish, but it only serves to make me admire this one even more. As it "grew" on me and I studied it more and more, it became evident that it was completely hand made, something unusual compared to most "contemporary" pieces, showing that there ARE still some outstanding traditional craftsmen carrying on time honored traditions, with their work apparently just never making it outside of their homeland. Thank you again for opening my eyes. Mike

1st March 2005, 03:50 PM	#2
derek Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Posts: 215	Last year there was a seller on ebay with about 6 or 7 of these, all recent but well-made examples with decorated soft leather sheaths. Haven't seen any more in a long while, but he did tell me that there were some people still making very good ones there. His father was a 1rst gen here and apparently had brought several back from a recent trip. -d

24th October 2012, 12:25 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	A colleague from Russia just informed me that in his opinion this is an Uighur knife.