Yakut knife. from Anton Khodzhimirzaev.
The distinctive and most important feature of this knife is the dol. It is not a bloodstream! It performs at least three functions
- Actually geometry. On the side of the valley the descent is straight, on the other there is a lens, which makes it an excellent tool for planing wood.
- Metal saving. During the forging process, the wedge is stretched in width and length, resulting in a full-size knife with minimal steel consumption.
- A forged fuller turns the blade into a channel, i.e., with low hardness we get maximum strength to bend.
So, an old Soviet file was chosen as the source material.
We saw off a small piece and weld it well to the rod 
Slowly heat the workpiece in the forge. The color rendering is poor, and it’s light outside, so it’s difficult to determine the heat colors by eye; I use a magnet. At a temperature of 723 C (I don’t remember exactly), steel loses its magnetic properties and this means that somewhere in this range you can knock on it. For file steel (у10-...13), approximately the same temperature is the quenching temperature. Not everyone can be checked this way. 
We pull out the piece of iron. I use a 1500 g sledgehammer 
My rod fell off(((It was better to weld! Now we take pliers 
I pulled it out into a plate like this. Now I’m forming the shank. Responsible place! 
And the radius of the leading edge. 
I forge the slopes, the wedge bends, this can be fixed... 
already looks like a wedge! 
I forge the dol with a sharp edge of 600 g of hammer. The geometry we need has already been formed. We align in a common plane, we carry out normalization... 
And simmer it in oil. I thought it would be more effective 
I don’t notice the leash after hardening 
After hardening, the wedge did not scratch the glass, so the tempering was done for only 1 hour at 200 degrees. 
Grind off the excess using sandpaper. Raise your shoulders a little.
I'M VIOLATING SAFETY!!! But it’s very difficult to create a flat surface on sandpaper any other way. 
Now is the time to check the wedge for cracks and overall strength. I took several shots, but none of them showed that I was completely standing on it. Take my word for it) holds 60 kg calmly 
Nothing fell off 
And now the sanding. Now this is a very long and tedious process... 
We grind and polish... 
After 1200 sandpaper 
Now on the felt circle. It's better to do this with an assistant! 
Nice shot) Almost a selfie against the backdrop of the setting sun 
Now the handle. Apple material 
We drill for the shank. The diameter of the drill is selected according to the width of the shank in the middle of its length 
We adjust the wedge using a jigsaw file or a needle file, or a thin knife, or all of the above. And we plan out the chops 
Pour epoxy glue mixed with sawdust 
It turned out a little unsightly, so to speak It can be better, but it can’t be worse! 
We remove everything unnecessary 
We draw a center line and dance from it. 
I shoot the rest with a blunt 
After roughly removing the material it looks like this 
It’s a pleasure to polish the handle of a Yakut knife) 
Now by old scheme: wet and grind, reducing the sandpaper grain. I finish with a sponge. 
And impregnation in linseed oil. Later, I dilute wax, rosin and flaxseed in a water bath and process it completely. Then there will be a scabbard.... 
The knife is somewhat different from the usual one in our understanding - asymmetrical, with notches on one side of the blade - such products have long been used by the inhabitants of Yakutia. Today they are the hallmark of this region of Russia.
History of origin
The republic is known in the world as the main supplier of diamonds. The musical instrument khomus is recognizable even in the most remote corners of the earth. Another famous invention is Yakut knives. Since ancient times, people of the Turkic linguistic group have lived on such a vast territory. The ancestors of modern inhabitants came from Central Asia. The Yakuts call themselves “Sakha”. Having mastered the harsh laws of living in the northern regions, these people not only adapted to them, but also learned to benefit from them.
Since ancient times, the Sakha have learned to mine and process iron ore. Blacksmithing skills were not inferior to the products of advanced blacksmiths European countries. Russian Cossacks back in the seventeenth century, having begun to interact with Yakut hunters, noted the quality of their tools and hunting. Yakut blacksmiths knew how to smelt iron, bypassing the cast iron stage.
Archaeological work on the territory of settlement of this ancient people makes it possible to prove the centuries-old history of Yakut knives. In the studied burial grounds and sites, scientists find samples of knives that are very similar to Yakut knives. Over the millennia, they have retained their size, geometric parameters and appearance.
Varieties
The design of the knife has not changed over the many centuries of its existence, but the ratio of the blade to the handle may vary in each specific case. Different regions of Yakutia have their own standards for manufacturing this product. The classic Yakut working knife is a blade of 110-170 millimeters mounted on a wooden handle.
Among all the diversity, three main types can be distinguished. The first one is distinguished by its small size. The blade length ranges from 80 to 110 mm. It is made for children and women. Used for various household operations. The second type is the traditional and most common knife. The length of the blade is no more than seventeen centimeters. It is used by hunters and fishermen. No man can do without it. The third type is rarely made because it is large and looks like military weapon. The length of the blade is from eighteen to thirty centimeters. They respectfully call him “hotokhon”.
The hunters themselves distinguish between tundra and taiga knives. The difference between them is the width of the blade. With a narrow blade, a tundra knife is more often used for drilling and rivers. with a wider blade, they are used for cutting game and livestock or working with wood.
Main distinguishing feature
The most important difference is that the blade of the Yakut knife is asymmetrical. The knife itself has a blunt and straight back with a sharp end. They sharpen it only on one (left) side. If you look at the knife from the handle, the side edges will appear completely different. The left side is convex, completely smooth.
All knives with an asymmetrical profile are sharpened on the working (right) side, but the Yakut knife is sharpened only on the left. This approach has its own explanation: the master most often processes wood. Having a left-sharpened knife, a person can precisely regulate the depth of planing. The same feature gives the accuracy of a multifunctional plane.
Slicing frozen meat or fish is much easier, the knife goes like clockwork. Skinning an animal and dressing it with such a knife is a joy because everything happens quickly and without delay. Another undoubted plus: you can sharpen such a knife even in the field. A stone or, for example, the edge of a metal bucket is suitable for this.
Based on this feature, the Yakuts distinguish between knives for right-handers and left-handers. For a right-hander, you need a standard knife sharpened on the left side. For a left-hander, you will have to make a special mirrored knife.
Second feature
The right side of the blade is usually absolutely straight, with a longitudinal groove in the center. The presence of a fuller on one side of the blade is another feature of the Yakut. Craftsmen make knives with a short and thin fuller or a wide one along the entire length of the blade. The Yakuts call it Yos. The appearance of this feature is explained in different ways. The first version of the origin of such a detail is associated with the original material for making the knife from bone cut lengthwise. And the groove is nothing more than a hole from the bone marrow.
Another option: Yakut knives were made from two components. The base is made of soft iron, the hard part is for the blade. This was done to save durable steel. The groove in this case was like a compensatory leash, which appeared during the process of hardening the two components of the blade.
Flat right side performs important role. It brings the cross-section of the blade closer to a quadrangular shape. Working with wood or sewing leather clothes requires force. The punching effect is enhanced by this special shape of the Yakut knife.
What is a gutter for?
There are several reasons for the relevance of the valley. In addition to saving iron, there are also practical indicators. In Yakutia, frosts below 30-40 degrees Celsius are not uncommon. A knife without a fuller is difficult to sharpen and edit. The fuller blade is thinner, very sharp, and holds an edge well. You can sharpen it quickly and easily.
When cutting a carcass, a wide groove allows the knife to come into contact with the meat only with the back side. The gutter remains free, the skin from the animal is easier to remove due to the reduction of the contact area. Blood flows freely through the recess in the blade.
The presence of a gutter allows you to lighten the weight of the product. When a craftsman forges a Yakut knife, he tries to make it light so that it does not sink in water. The fisherman, having dropped the knife from his hands, is sure that he will not drown, or at least not immediately go to the bottom. A special handle helps you stay afloat.
Handle
At first glance, the knife handle does not have anything special. It is made from birch burl - this is a kind of growth on a tree trunk. Impregnate the finished pen with special oil. The length of the handle is thirteen to fifteen centimeters. When ordering individually, the width of the palm is measured; the handle should be slightly wider, without any guards or stops. The shape of the handle resembles an egg, the narrow part of which is directed towards the blade. Taking such a knife in his hand, the hunter feels comfortable and reliable.
Sometimes the handle is made of birch bark. Fishermen have a special requirement for such products: the craftsman must make a Yakut knife such that the handle can keep it afloat. Products with handles made of plastic or mammoth bone play the role of souvenirs. They are not used in everyday life.
Scabbard for "Yakut"
The Yakut knife needs a unique sheath. Initially, they used oxtail for this purpose. The stocking was turned inside out and a wooden insert was inserted inside. The dimensions of the insert had to be larger than the knife itself. His task was not to hold the knife, but to protect it from breakage.
The knife goes into the sheath two-thirds of the length of the handle. In this position, the sheath firmly held the product by the handle, and the blade remained free. They could build a sheath from birch bark or wood. A cord was attached to the body for attachment.
Traditional wearing
The Yakut knife is worn on the left side or in front. Free hanging does not interfere with human movements. The hunter quickly pulls out the knife with his right hand, while resting his thumb on the base of the sheath.
The blade of the knife faces to the left, directed at the person when removed from the sheath. It has always been this way, it is a tradition.
Significance of the invention
Modern craftsmen, while observing all traditional requirements, make a Yakut knife, the design of which is passed down from generation to generation. The hope that the invention will not become obsolete, and the fire of love of the masters will be passed on to descendants, is very great. Modern experts of edged weapons highlight this knife with a universal and unique design.
The philosophical basis of the knife is to use it only for creativity and work. The master creates his product as an assistant, and not for war or harm.
In Yakut families, a child from the age of five received a knife. The mothers were not afraid that the boy would get hurt. The first blood and a small cut taught the baby to be careful, careful, and therefore rational. The first knife was made specifically for a child's hand.
A man should have several knives: for household purposes, for woodworking and for hunting. On special occasions, an elegant knife was worn, which emphasized the status of its owner. On ordinary days it hung above the bed. None of the household members had the right to touch him. passed on by inheritance to the eldest of the sons.
Historical phenomenon
The Yakut knife is an exceptional historical phenomenon. He is put on a par with the famous “Finnish woman”. Several decades ago it was classified as a bladed weapon and banned. Today it is written about in the legislative acts of the Russian Federation. Since 1995, the “Regulations on the procedure for manufacturing, marketing, purchasing, carrying and transporting the Yakut knife on the territory of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia)” have been adopted.
This knife is suitable for repelling an enemy attack; it is an indispensable friend in hunting and fishing. The Yakuts themselves often call it their third hand. They believe it is better to lose a gun than to be left without a knife.
A real Yakut blade, in fact it has quite ancient history, this is confirmed by archaeological excavations. And, today, comparing knives of modern versions and those pulled out of the ground, there is practically no difference.
The finished product amazes with its elegance.
So we can safely say that today’s topic will concern the reproduction of an ancient Yakut knife with your own hands. It may be said loudly, but manual labor can also be associated with ancient methods of work. Interesting fact, that in the past the Yakuts bypassed the cast iron processing stage in some interesting way. And the products were forged directly from a steel alloy.
According to contemporaries, the quality of today's knives is in no way inferior to European manufacturers. And most importantly, the Yakuts do not lose the ancient methods of forging and making their products, but pass them on to their children.
Features of the Yakut knife
An important feature of the Yakut knife, which distinguishes it from other products, is its asymmetry. On one side there is a groove, quite large in size, which runs along the entire blade. And the opposite side has a convex shape. There are several explanations for such interesting forms:
- in the old days, blacksmiths tried to save metal in this way, gradually drawing out the blade;
- Since the Yakuts live in extreme conditions, at -50 °C, -60 °C, it is almost impossible to sharpen a solid product. And with such a fuller, the blade became thinner and more pliable;
- when skinning a carcass, especially when skinning, the recess in the blade prevented it from “sticking.” And due to the small contact area and air space, the work became much easier;
- the sheath was made from oxtail, removed like a stocking. And wooden inserts were made inside so that the knife would not break. They were also made from birch bark or sewn together with animal skin.
Clearly visible gutter.
Another important point, the blade is sharpened on one side. But the handle was and is still being made from birch rhizomes.
It is quite reliable and has good grip on the shank.
Varieties of the Yakut knife "Sakha"
In different regions of Yakutia there are different variations in knife making. But in general terms, it is a product with a length of 11 to 17 cm and a wooden handle, all made of the same birch. They call him simply and briefly - “Sakha”. There are twelve varieties. Their names will be presented in purely Yakut language “Sakha Rear”, in brackets there is a literal translation and a small transcript:
- “Oluy bygychcha” (small blunt knife) - a blade for applying patterns on wooden products, its length is 3-5 cm.
- “Otohut bygychcha” (very small) is a tool of a doctor, a healer, with a very thin and sharp end of the blade, the length of the blade is 3-7 cm.
- “Uol oko kychchahar bygychcha” (knife for a boy) - a knife for a boy, length 7-11 cm.
- “Die bygychcha” (house knife) is a home helper with a length of 9-14 cm.
- “Tabakhyt bysaka” (for a reindeer herder) - for cutting a deer carcass, the edge of the knife is very thin and beak-shaped, the blade is thin, “delicate”, its length is 9-12 cm.
- “Kyra bult bykhaga” (small for hunting) - a small hunter’s knife, length 9-14 cm, soft hardening.
- “Balyksyt bykhaga” (fishing tool) is an equipment for a fisherman; it is quite wide, the butt is thin, the tip is slightly bent upward. The handle is made of birch bark.
- “Bult bykhaga” (for hunting) is a hunting wedge, its length is 15-18 cm.
- “Mas үүһүн byһychcha” (wood knife) - designed for woodworking, its length is 12 cm. Designed for cutting shaped parts of furniture and other wooden products.
- “Mas үүһүн byһаҕа” (large knife for wood) is a blade for working with wood, but larger in size than the previous one. Provides processing of large parts with a wide, thin blade. Strongly hardened.
- “Badaai” (large heavy knife) is a large wedge, its length is up to 25 cm.
- “Bolot byhakh” (knife-sword) - even larger and heavier, blade length up to 30 cm.
Varieties. Small blades self made. Small knife.
Medium blade. Original blade. Large knife.
The last two types of knives are long, designed for heavy work. For example, for butchering large animals, for cutting through ice, for cutting willows, overgrowth, etc. I had to use a translator, now I can show off my new skills to my friends.
DIY instructions
For people who live by reindeer herding and hunting, a knife is simply necessary. The blade is intended for both household work and more serious events. Depends, of course, on the length, as already described above.
In the Republic of Sakha, since 1995, by government decision, the Yakut knife has been recognized as a cultural part of the people inhabiting it. And thanks to this decision, the blade can be worn without any permission. And use it for everyday life and in the household.
The manufacture of products is also not punishable by law, and many craftsmen are engaged in forging knives. As a rule, they are very similar to their ancestors, the only thing that distinguishes them is steel. Previously, it was used softer, so that it could be sharpened in any conditions, but now they use anything for this purpose.
Springs, springs, bearings, files, parts from any equipment, etc. The only difference is this, but otherwise the process has not changed.
Blade size drawing.
To start manufacturing, make a drawing for yourself, and always refer to it while working. Small errors are acceptable. But it’s better to calculate everything in advance.
To make it, you can take any item from the above, but to avoid problems, choose a more rectangular shape. It will be easier to work with a file, let's try step by step instructions, making a knife at home:
- Cut a piece of the required size from the file and weld a rod to it for easy heating in the forge.
- Carry out the first heating slowly, when the color reaches incandescence (bright red), the temperature will be about 750 °C. It’s better to check with a magnet; professionals distinguish by color. If the workpiece is not magnetic, it's time to start forging it.
- It is better to use two types of sledgehammers: a heavy one, 4 kilograms, and a lighter one, 1.5 kilograms. We forge with a heavy hammer, if the workpiece cools down, put it back into the forge, watch its color, otherwise you can simply break it. You need to forge along the entire length to a thickness of 2-3 mm.
- Don't forget about the shank and the radius of the leading edge. You can immediately forge the slopes to make sanding easier.
- Forge a large fuller with the sharp side of a smaller hammer. We align the wedge and carry out normalization in oil. Don't forget a vacation for a couple of hours.
- We remove all irregularities with sandpaper and bring the shape to its normal form. We correct the descents, if necessary, and grinding and polishing - be patient.
File. Warm up and cook. Don't forget to reheat.
We continue to forge. We forge a gutter. Vacation.
Slowly, deliberately step on it with your foot and transfer all your weight to the blade. It should withstand 60-70 kilograms, if your weight is more, ask someone.
If it does not change the geometry, then everything is done correctly, and you can continue with other stages.
Lever
Everything can be done simply with the handle; anyway, we won’t be able to make a real Yakut blade, it will be a replica, and nothing else. Therefore, we select an unnecessary small block of wood and go ahead:
- First of all, we drill a hole for the shank, insert the blade and select “caps” for a tighter fastening. At this stage, it is better to wrap the wedge with masking tape.
- We mix epoxy with sawdust, pour everything into the hole, insert the shank and drive in the prepared wood chips along the edges. We make sure that everything fits securely and leave it to dry for 24 hours.
- The next step is to draw the center lines and begin to plan the future handle from all sides. And in all available ways.
- Having reached a round shape and normal diameter, we grind the handle, soak it in oils, and then dip it in boiling wax for 30 minutes. This is at the request of the owner of the blade.
Let's drill. Epoxy. Marking. Planing.
The work must be carried out carefully, one wrong move and the handle is damaged. You will have to clean the shank from the epoxy resin, which will already be like stone, and do all the work all over again.
Sheath
The easiest way is to make wooden ones; for this, two wooden blanks are taken, the width of which is larger than the resulting knife itself. Then, placing a blade 2/3 long on them, mark the grooves with a pencil. And we select them using a chisel and carefully sand them with sandpaper.
The next step is to carefully remove the excess from the outer sides with a plane. Then we check the fit of the knife in the sheath; if everything is good, we glue both halves with epoxy resin and sand the outside.
We apply the blade.
Quite an original scabbard made of wood.
You can also sew separate sheaths from leather, the process is much more complicated, but aesthetically more pleasing to the eye. There is an article on our website: how to make a sheath at home from leather. We really hope that it will help you.
Unlike Russians, the Yakuts believe that spicy food can be given without a ritual and with the payment of a pretty penny. You just need to remember that if you present a knife, then along with it you trust the person with your destiny and even life.
Among the many nationalities inhabiting Siberia, the Yakuts are one of the most mysterious. This is the northernmost people of the Turkic group: the closest to it<языковые>relatives live two thousand kilometers to the southwest - in the Sayan Mountains and Altai.
What made the Yakut-Sakha hundreds of years ago exchange their distant homeland for the harsh northern region, where, as legends say, the grass never turned yellow and the birds never flew away, we will never know. Scientists have established that around the 15th - 16th centuries, the Yakut people emerged from diverse groups of alien herders and aborigines - Tungus hunters and reindeer herders
The bulk of the people settled on the relatively spacious and grass-rich floodplains of the Middle Lena, Aldan, Amga and Vilyuy. These people remained pastoralists: horses and cows adapted perfectly to the new conditions. But there were few places suitable for grazing livestock, and they were the property of the clan (aga uusa). Both livestock and plots had to be protected: stories bring to us bloody legends about<веке войн> - <кыргыс юйэтэ>, when the right to life and property had to be defended with the help of steel.
The Yakuts have long had developed ironworking and blacksmithing crafts, so edged weapons were in abundance.
The blacksmiths who produced it were revered by the Yakuts on a par with shamans.<Кузнецы и шаманы - из одного гнезда>- says the Yakut proverb. It was believed that, like professional intermediaries between people and the other world, masters have the gift of healing and divination, but are constantly under threat from evil spirits.
After all, the blacksmith received his craft not from anyone, but from the ominous deity Kydaai Maksin, the blacksmith leader of the underworld. That is why the blacksmith must work all the time and maintain the fire - in this way he scares away evil spirits. This craft was passed down from generation to generation. It was believed that in the ninth generation a blacksmith reaches such heights of skill that he is able to make even magical objects, such as a shaman’s robe and parts of a tambourine. Such a master also has unusual instruments - they themselves, like talismans, are able to scare away evil spirits and make sounds. And this master’s knives are amazing: if a person touches a bear or other animal with such a blade, they immediately fall dead. These knives, known as bykhakh, are no less mysterious than the origins of the Yakut people.
Amazing shape
The asymmetrical blade profile is widespread in Southeast Asia, from Japanese chef's knives to the Dayak jungle knife of Kalimantan. The trigger on such models, as a rule, is formed on the side of the working hand: for right-handers it is on the right side, for left-handers it is on the left. But regarding the bykhakh, everything is done exactly the opposite: for a right-handed person the triggers are on the left side, and for left-handed people - on the right. However, on long chopping knives everything falls into place: descents<переезжают>on the side corresponding to the working hand.
The reason for this arrangement is the peculiarities of the use of a knife by the Yakut. The main construction material is wood. Therefore, this shape provides additional advantages when removing chips, and also significantly simplifies the sharpening process. This knife is sharpened mainly from the descent side: only the burr is removed from the smooth side edge. This form is suitable for both skinning and flaking fish. In general, a tool for all trades. The blade has a short length - up to 170 mm. However, more often than not it varies from 100 to 120 mm: such a blade suits the owner quite well. Mounting of the blade is mounted, in a straight handle with an ovoid profile. The handle material is birch suvel, durable and reliable. Moreover, quite often the blade is inserted as if obliquely: the smooth edge is inclined at a slight angle to the longitudinal plane of the handle. Some researchers argue that this is a later layering: an attempt to give the knife greater versatility by making the profile closer to symmetrical.
One of the most controversial and unusual details is the fuller on the flat edge of the blade. You won’t hear any kind of hypotheses about its purpose! Archaeologists believe that this element has been preserved since prehistoric times, when the knife was made entirely of bone. The bone was cut lengthwise and diagonally, and the internal channel from the bone marrow formed the notorious valley. The hypothesis is interesting, but let us remember that the Russian Cossacks who came to Yakutia for quite a long time used the services of not only Yakut blacksmiths, but also local iron producers. To think that dol was preserved solely out of devotion to prehistoric traditions is to disrespect the professionalism of Yakut craftsmen.
A more interesting point of view connects the presence of a fuller with the technological features of manufacturing the blade. The fact is that the blade part of the knife has a convex<брюшко>: while forging such a fuller, the blacksmith simultaneously expanded the blade in the place he needed. Be that as it may, today this technique is rarely used: both the blade and the fuller are torn out with an abrasive tool.
The last hypothesis connects the presence of a fuller with a change in knife manufacturing technology. The famous ethnographer V.L. Seroshevsky noted what actually happened before his eyes at the end of the 19th century, the genesis of the shape of the blade: the right side<слегка вогнутая: в последнее время с этой стороны стали делать якутские мастера желобок>. The concavity of the flat edge is well known on Japanese chef's knives. This technological technique is necessary to compensate for the leash associated with hardening knives with an asymmetrical profile, which has a composite structure: a hard blade part and a soft lining. Surely the Yakut blacksmiths also mastered this technique, used to save high-quality steel and also give the blade strength. After the transition to all-steel knives, the need for concavity disappeared, and the fuller began to be made in order to give the blade additional rigidity.
However, over time, the true meaning of this technique was lost due to the decline in the production culture of blacksmithing during the years of Soviet power: dols began to be made with opposite side blade, or even on both sides at once.
From oxtail
The scabbard deserves special words. As a rule, they are made from a single piece of wood. The inner part of the workpiece is hollowed out in such a way that the handle is fixed by the mouth, being placed about a third into it. The suspension is a flexible loop attached to the top of the mouth.
Often the scabbard is covered with leather. The design of the one-piece leather sheath is especially interesting. They use thick leather from the base of the bull's tail. They say that you can also use a cow's tail, but true experts insist: only a bull! The skin, removed like a stocking from the tail, is processed in a special way and dried directly on the knife. The result is a tough, durable and comfortable sheath. Unfortunately, the art of making them has been practically lost: while a real Yakut knife can still be found, albeit with great difficulty, the correct scabbard can only be found in particularly remote uluses.
The years of Soviet power significantly undermined the once thriving trade: the Yakut knife is becoming a rarity. Until recently, it was classified as a bladed weapon, which also did not contribute to the expansion of its circulation. Perhaps this is one of the few knives awarded a special state legislative act. So<Положение о порядке изготовления, сбыта, приобретения, ношения и перевозки якутского ножа на территории Республики Саха (Якутия)>was awarded special resolution No. 409 of the government of the Republic of Sakha dated September 12, 1995.
Only on May 13, 2003, the State Standard of Russia approved the technical conditions for AFCP<Сардана>for the production of household cutting knives<Якутский>. Let's hope that through the efforts of such masters as A. Kuznetsov, N. Potapov, S. Bilyukin and many others, the Yakut knife will be able to regain its rightful place.
Tell us about the Yakut knife<быхах>(byhax) We asked Anatoly Kuznetsov, a famous master from Southern Yakutia - Neryungri, for more details.
The very word that defines the name of the people - Sakha - emanates hoary antiquity. In the ancient Turkic world, Sakas were the name of nomadic conquerors - Kipchaks. The Yakut received a special character strengthening thanks to the harsh, homeless northern nature.
The art of blacksmithing was preserved by the Yakuts from their ancestors and was developed already in the 10th-12th centuries. Among the metals, Yakut craftsmen knew iron, copper, bronze, silver, tin, lead, and gold. It was in this sequence that metals were valued. Iron had the greatest distribution. Conversely, the Yakuts did not like gold, considering it copper with less good mechanical properties. Russian Cossacks in the 17th century met resistance from the Yakuts, who fought on horseback and protected by iron armor. The warrior was armed with a bow with many types of tips, an iron sword<болот-палаш>, melee spear -<эну>YнYY, darts -<кустук>, <батас>- a kind of knife about half a meter long and<батыйа>- shortened type<батаса>. The longest multi-purpose weapon was<кылыс>.
The quality of iron obtained from ore by Yakut blacksmiths was highly valued. Voivode Vasily Pushkin in 1647, reporting to the Siberian order about the inspection of Yakut iron by Russian blacksmiths, noted that it was recognized<то железо против лутшего немецкаго>. Later, the craftsmen themselves were much less likely to engage in ore mining and processing, since in the 18th century state factories began to open in Siberia and metal could be bought or exchanged for furs.
Of all the Yakut metal tools, the Yakut knife, in my opinion, deserves attention. Knives are often found in materials from archaeological excavations. And this gives grounds to assert that their design has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries. Bykhakh - small, 12-18 cm, shank 5-7 cm, inserted into a handle made of birch root. On the edge (byhax haptahaya - the flat side of the knife on the right side) a dol is knocked out<йос>(Yoc). The knife is sharpened on the left side (if you hold it with the handle towards you). The almond-shaped handle, round at the top and almost pointed at the bottom, always ensures a secure grip.
Manifold<обязанностей>The Yakut knife is amazing. Yakuts say:<Нож - моя третья рука>. With its help, a master can plan a huge choron (cup for kumys) from a solid birch block and decorate it with openwork carvings; with a knife, he skins animals, butchers a carcass, tans leather, sews clothes, and makes furniture. The knife perfectly replaces a plane, creating dense shavings, and by applying the necessary force, the master regulates the depth of immersion of the blade into the material. They use this same knife to fish, hunt, and even carve children’s toys.
I made my first knife at the age of 15 and gave it to a friend. Since then it has become one of my favorite hobbies. Subsequently, I very often traveled to different parts of our republic. Almost all men in villages carry a knife with them at all times, and this comes as no surprise to anyone. A Yakut, putting on clothes with a dangling knife in the morning, does not part with it until late in the evening. With the help of a knife, not only all household kitchen work is performed, but during meals it also replaces all the cutlery familiar to Yakuts, because the basis of the diet is mainly meat and fish.
On my trips, I tried to get acquainted with the work of local craftsmen involved in the production of Yakut knives, noting for myself certain manufacturing features. I use this experience, but my work is based on my grandfather’s classic Yakut knife.
There are many craftsmen in Yakutia who preserve the glory of the Yakut knife - this wonderful cultural phenomenon. There are centers where traditions are passed on to students. I hope my story will help the Yakut knife take its rightful place among ethnic knives, as well as in the arsenals of hunters and fishermen.
The Yakut knife is traditional look cold weapons of the indigenous inhabitants of Yakutia. It is one of the most famous objects associated with the Republic of Sakha, along with khomus and diamonds.
History of appearance
The need for a hunting knife for the Yakuts is dictated by their living conditions. A knife, along with other types of weapons, is a must-have tool for any hunter. Since ancient times, the local population hunted, thus obtaining food and warm skins.
Archaeological excavations provide an indication of the centuries-old history of edged weapons in Yakutia. Moreover, modern products differ little in size and geometry from ancient samples.
Iron ore has been mined in Yakutia since ancient times. Steel was smelted without going through the cast iron stage. The resulting metal was processed by local blacksmiths. Yakut craftsmen learned to make hunting knives with their own hands. Moreover, the knives they made were in no way inferior in quality to the work of blacksmiths in European countries.
Design
Structurally, the Yakut knife has remained virtually unchanged over the centuries of its existence. However, the dimensions of the blade and handle often differ - depending on the will of the master and regional preferences. In different regions of Yakutia they use their own ratio of blade and handle lengths.
Blade
The peculiarity of the blade is its asymmetrical shape. The butt is always straight and even, and the blade is very sharp. The blade is sharpened only on the left side. If you look at it from the side of the handle, the side edges appear completely different: the left one is convex, the right one is flat.
The right side of the blade is completely flat. Thanks to this, the cross-section of the blade approaches the shape of a quadrangle.
On the right side of the blade there is a dol (yos), which can be different shapes- depending on the model. Some gunsmiths make a notch over almost the entire area of the blade, leaving only a small border next to the butt. Other craftsmen make a small groove, shifted towards the handle. On the side of the handle, the fuller is wider, tapering closer to the tip.
The need for Yos arose for several reasons:
- The appearance of the fuller is due to the appearance of a compensatory leash upon contact different types metals The fact is that the steel for Yakut knives is selected both hard and soft.
- The presence of a fuller facilitates the process of sharpening and straightening the blade at low temperatures.
- Yos functions as a channel for draining the blood of prey.
- The presence of a groove makes the design easier.
The blade of a real knife from Yakutia has an unsharpened, flat side, which enhances the penetrating effect of the weapon. Thanks to this design feature, the piercing power of the weapon increases, and it becomes possible to work with thick skins.
There is an extensive classification of Yakut knives by size. Of the variety of edged weapons, three large groups can be distinguished:
- Small. The length of the blade is 8–11 cm. It is used not only for hunting, but also for domestic purposes.
- Average. Blade length 11–17 cm. This type of hunting weapon is the most common.
- Long. The length of the blade varies between 17 and 30 cm. It is the least common. Reviews from hunters indicate that this class of knives is a powerful military weapon.
There are also knives with even larger blades. However, they are more likely to be classified as axes and spears. An example is batas from batiyya. The length of their blades reaches 40–60 cm.
The width of the blade is important. Narrow blades belong to the tundra class. With their help it is convenient to cut or make holes in any material. Wider blades belong to the taiga class. Such blades are used for butchering carcasses and processing wood.
Lever
The classic Yakut working knife is mounted on a handmade wooden handle. The handle is made from birch burl. This material is a stem growth and is particularly durable. It is also possible to use birch bark. The finished handle is impregnated with special oil, due to which it acquires moisture-resistant characteristics.
The handle has an ovoid shape. This design makes it possible to avoid turning the knife in your hand during operation.
The narrow part of the handle is directed towards the blade. Stops are not used. The handle is long enough, which allows you to comfortably work with a knife while wearing mittens. In addition, the longer the handle, the higher the cutting ability of the knife.
The installation of the blade into the handle is of particular interest. First, make a wide hole in the center of the handle. Next, the sharp shank is inserted into the handle. After this, wedges-chops made of soft wood. As a result, the blade is secured in the knife handle.
Sheath
For a Yakut knife, the most simple and functional sheath is used. They are made from the tail of an ox. The skin from the tail is removed with a stocking, after which it is put on a wooden blank. As a result, the skin takes on the desired shape.
Also, birch bark or wood is used as a material for making sheaths.
The knife is recessed into the sheath by two-thirds of the handle. The blade hangs freely in a wooden sheath case.
Carrying a knife
The Yakut knife is placed on the left side of the body (for right-handers) or in front. The hunter must be able to quickly draw the weapon from its sheath with his right hand. In this case, the thumb rests on the base of the sheath. The blade is positioned with the sharp side to the left.
The sheath is equipped with a leather belt or cord. With their help, the weapon is fixed on the belt.
Sharpening
The Yakut knife is sharpened from the fuller side, that is, to the right of the right-hander and to the left of the left-hander. The block is applied to the cutting edge at an angle of 5–7 degrees and the blade is sharpened in an upward direction. Sharpening is carried out until a thin shiny line is formed on the cutting edge, which represents the sharpest part of the blade.
When sharpening Yakut knives, stones of different grain sizes are used. Rough sharpening is done with a coarse-grained stone, and final sharpening is done with a stone with fine grains.
