Homemade knife Yakut. Making a Yakut knife

Among hunters, fishermen, tourists and collectors of edged weapons, the Yakut knife is gaining popularity. Let us consider in more detail the Legend of Yakutia and the most frequent questions, namely: how it looks, how to sharpen a Yakut knife and features.

History of appearance

For the Yakuts, hunting is the main activity: this is how they got food, warm animal skins. Every hunter is sensitive to weapons. A knife is an indispensable, obligatory attribute. The first appeared in boys at the age of 5 years. It was given to his son by his father.

At the same time, parents were not afraid for their children. It was believed that a child would cut himself a couple of times, but in the end he would learn to be neat. The gift was carefully kept, used to solve everyday problems, and in adulthood, small knives were replaced with real adult weapons.

The tool has a long history, confirmed by archaeological research. At the same time, the finds of ancient times do not differ much from modern items in size and shape. This speaks of strength, functionality.

The peoples of Yakutia independently learned the process of making edged weapons. These lands are rich in iron ore, which could be mined. Masters smelted steel, bypassing the stage of cast iron. The material obtained as a result of simple actions was processed in blacksmith workshops. As a result, blades were obtained, the quality of which was no worse than European ones.

Note! As early as the 17th century, Russian Cossacks began to interact with Yakut craftsmen, adopted the experience of making a Yakut knife and other types of weapons.

Design

Over the centuries, a real Yakut knife has not undergone significant changes. The main difference that may catch your eye is the size of the handle and blade, which are often determined by the preferences of blacksmiths, the region of residence.

Blade

The first thing a person pays attention to when picking it up is an asymmetric blade. Traditionally, the left side is convex and the right side is flat. In the middle is a notch, which is called jos. Its shape and size are different. It can occupy almost the entire surface from the handle to the end, and some craftsmen prefer to make a small groove, shifted closer to the handle.

The presence of jos is explained by several factors:

• compensation of the properties of hard and soft metals, reducing the risk of deformation during forging, hardening;
• facilitating the process of sharpening, editing at low temperatures;
• bloodstream to facilitate the cutting of animal carcasses;
• lightweight design;
• some scientists suggest a version of metal savings.

The unsharpened flat side is a feature of the knife of Yakutia, which increased the penetrating power several times. That is, the weapon easily entered the body of the caught victim, the sharp blade butchered, and the hunter could easily process even thick skins.

1. Small ones could be used not only for hunting, but also in everyday life. The length ranged from 8 to 11 cm.
2. The middle ones were used mainly for hunting. Their size is 11–18 cm.
3. The long ones reached 17–30 cm and were less common. It was a military weapon used in battles.

There is a division in width. Narrow blades are more common among the inhabitants of the tundra. They simplified the task of cutting holes in various materials. Thick - used in the taiga. Better suited for processing wood, animal carcasses.

Lever

The classic version is a handmade handle made of wood. More often, a cap is used for this - a strong stem growth. As an alternative, birch bark is used. The finished handle was thoroughly soaked in oil to make it moisture resistant.

The egg-shaped shape prevented the knife from turning over in the hand during operation. The narrow part is located closer to the blade. At the same time, the long handle makes it possible to use cold weapons in warm gloves, and does not allow you to drown in water when falling. There are no pressures.

Wedges made of wood are installed in the handle.

Installing the blade in the handle requires special attention. First of all, the master makes a wide hole in the central part of the handle. After that, the sharp shank is mounted in the handle.

Then wedges made of wood are installed on the sides. As a result, the blade is fixed in the handle of the knife. To many, this method of fastening may seem unreliable. However, it was developed by the Yakuts to be able to quickly change the blade, because they were consumables due to the low quality of the steel used. It follows from this that a real Yakut knife cannot be folding. This is a modern modification.

Sheath

Traditional scabbards should be as simple and functional as possible. They are made from the tail of a bull, which is removed with a stocking, and then stretched onto a wooden blank. So the skin gets the necessary shape. Birch bark or wood is also used.

The weapon is freely immersed in 2/3 of the handle, and the blade hangs. This allows you to immerse the knife with frozen blood, fat into the sheath without any obstacles.

Varieties of the Yakut knife

The length, shape of the blade is different. It depends on the region where you live. Several types are known:

1. Byhycha- the shortest type, used in almost all activities. Nevertheless, among men, he did not deserve popularity and was used by women and children in solving daily household tasks. Blade length 8–11 cm.
2. Bychikh- the most common type with a blade length of 11–17 cm. Every respectful man was required to have such a knife in his belt. It was perfect for both hunting and solving everyday problems.
3. Chitohon- a combat option, but since the peoples of Yakutia practically did not fight, it can be quite rare to meet it. Its length exceeded 17 cm.
4. Batuya- a hybrid of a spear and a sword, the length of which could sometimes even exceed 60 cm.

sharpening

Any knife loses its relevance if it is not sharpened properly. The guns of Yakutia distinguished themselves not only in form, but also in their method. Let's take a closer look at how to properly sharpen a Yakut knife.

Sharpening features

So, on a knife you can define a convex side, and a flat one with jos. Many argue that sharpening is done from the convex side.

However, this opinion is erroneous. If you stick to traditions, then they sharpen from the side of the valley. For a right-hander, it is located on the right, and on the left for a left-hander.

This fact is easily explained:

1. Convenience, user comfort. The side to be sharpened is located on the handy side.
2. Service life of the product. If you sharpen from the side of the lens, then sooner or later you will reach a recess in the blade and then the knife will be impossible to use for its intended purpose.

note! First, coarse-grained bars are used for rough sharpening, and fine-grained ones are suitable for final work.

Sharpening angle

You can even sharpen the blade with a pebble, which is convenient in field conditions. In order not to spoil the weapon, and to improve the fighting qualities, a certain angle of inclination should be adhered to.

The bar is applied to the edge at an angle of sharpening no more than 5–7 degrees and moved upwards from the handle. The actions are repeated until a thin shiny line appears on the edge - this is a sharp cutting part.

It is not advisable to use mechanical sharpeners, because in the absence of experience, the edge of the blade can become very hot, which will lead to a loss of strength of the material.

Carrying a knife

The scabbard is hung on the belt on the left or in front. The weapon is taken out by leaning the thumb against the base of the scabbard. The sharpened side is located to the left. For left-handers, knives are designed individually, and they are worn on the right side.

These rules were strictly observed by hunters, because following them, they could freely get weapons and take a fighting position.

The suspension itself is free. It should not hinder the owner's movements.

Yakut knives can be used to solve many household tasks, cleaning fish and hunting. But improper storage will significantly affect the service life and operation. By following simple rules, you can extend it:

1. It is necessary to store this edged weapon in a dry room, away from moisture and heat sources. It is best to organize a customized box or casket.
2. It is better to entrust the restoration of the blade to a professional master.
3. To preserve the appearance of the wooden handle for a long time, it is recommended to lubricate it regularly with linseed oil.
4. For the treatment of scabbards made of bull skin, it is recommended to regularly treat with a colorless shoe polish. Oil is suitable for scabbards made of wood.
5. After cutting the meat, it is recommended to treat the blade with alcohol without touching the handle.

Historical and cultural significance

Many years of archaeological excavations and the wild interest of scientists in the history of origin cannot be underestimated.

The fact that despite improved technology, the shape of the blade, the method of making the hilt and scabbard, the rules of wearing are preserved to this day, is unique in itself. This speaks of him as a functional invention that has passed through the years in our modern society. Without exaggeration, this is one of the most important factors for the survival of the peoples of Yakutia in the most severe climate.

In addition to performance, it is distinguished by a rich historical past, because the prototype of the steel product was knives made of bones, where yos is an area filled with bone marrow. The Yakut knife will surely be found in the collection of edged weapons.

note! This is one of the symbols of the republic along with harp, venison And diamonds.

Knowing the features, you can not only replenish the collection, but also find a faithful assistant in hunting and fishing. In addition, a handmade Yakut knife made of Damascus steel will be a wonderful gift for a man for a holiday.

Hello everyone, I propose to study the instructions on how to make a knife in the Yakut style very simply with a minimum set of tools. Although, of course, the fact that it is Yakut is a moot point, because forging is not used in the manufacture of the blade. In any case, the blade here is very strong and can be sharpened to a blade state, since it is made from a saw blade. As for the valley, characteristic of the Yakut knife, it is made here by etching, it turned out no worse than a real forged Yakut knife. If you are interested in the project, I propose to study it in more detail.

Materials and tools used

List of materials:
- mechsaw blade;
- a bar for making a handle;
- steel rod;
- sheet brass;
- wood impregnation oil.

List of tools:
- grinder;
- orbital sander or other;
- drill;
- tap and die for threading;
- sandpaper;
- ;
- adaptation for etching;
- nail polish;
- hammer, vise and other simple tools.

Knife making process:

Step one. Main Profile
To begin with, we will carve the main profile from the saw, there will be very little work here. The author can easily cope with such a task on a grinding machine. Be careful only in terms of overheating the metal, as in the future we will not temper it. If the workpiece is too hot, dip it in water from time to time.

Step two. Grinding and descents
We carry out grinding of planes, for this, the author has a Velcro disk with sandpaper installed on the grinding machine. After grinding the planes, we also form descents, the author does all this by eye. It should be noted that a real Yakut knife has a descent from only one side, and which one depends on whether you are right-handed or left-handed.

Step three. Etching
We will make a fuller on the blade by etching, it's quick and easy. We take nail polish or any waterproof paint and paint over all those areas that will not participate in electrolysis. We leave only the abstract part in the center, from which the dol will be formed during etching.

For etching, we need a jar, pour water with a large amount of table salt into it. We will have a blade as one electrode, and a steel plate and the like can be used as the other. We apply voltage to the electrodes and observe the process, the longer the electrolysis goes on, the deeper the dol will burn out. The power supply can be used with a voltage of 6-24V or something like that, the current strength is more important here. Some craftsmen perform etching with a welding machine, this happens quickly.
After etching, we make light polishing, remove the paint and get an excellent Yakut blade.

Step four. garda
We make the guard from sheet brass, we will need to cut a slotted hole. To begin with, we drill a series of round holes with a drill, and then bore them with a needle file. You can also saw through the gap with a drill and an appropriate nozzle.

Step five. Shank and butt
We need to lengthen the shank of the knife so that we can fix the handle. An interesting fact is that the handle is assembled on a threaded connection, no glue is used here. We need a metal rod, we forge one end of it with a hammer and make a slotted hole. If you use copper and aluminum, you can easily forge the rod on a cold one. We drill holes and fix the rod with rivets.

At the other end of the rod, you need to cut the thread. The butt plate will be wound here, it is made of sheet brass, we drill a hole in it and also cut the thread.

Step six. Making a pen
Before installing the handle, be sure to wrap the blade with electrical tape or tape so as not to get hurt.

For the handle, you need to find beautiful wood, we need a small bar, you can also use animal bones or horns. We drill a hole for the shank along the material and the handle can be assembled. The handle is pulled together by the back and it is not necessary to glue it.
Next, we cut off the excess with an ordinary hacksaw for metal and proceed to processing the handle on a grinder, and then on a disk grinder. If desired, it is possible to form the desired profile of the handle with wood files.

In the end, we turn to manual processing, for this we use sandpaper. We achieve such a result that the tree looks like a bone, it is perfectly smooth.

Step seven. Impregnation
We impregnate the handle with oil, it will protect it from the harmful effects of moisture. Of course, the oil will reveal all the beauty of the wood. You can use linseed oil, it is generally available. Danish oil is also well suited, it is absorbed into the tree as deeply as possible.

The real Yakut blade, in fact, has a rather ancient history, this is confirmed by archaeological excavations. And, today, comparing the knives of modern options, and extracted from the ground, there is practically no difference.

The finished product impresses 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. Perhaps loudly said, but manual labor can also be dated to ancient methods of work. An interesting fact is that in the past, the Yakuts in some interesting way bypassed the stage of processing cast iron. And the products were forged immediately from an alloy of steel.

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 manufacturing 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 the one hand there is a groove, of a rather large 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 thus tried to save metal, gradually stretching the blade;
• 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 the carcass, especially when skinning, the recess in the blade prevented it from “sticking”. And due to the small area of ​​​​contact and airspace, the work became much easier;
• the scabbard was made of oxtail, taken off like a stocking. And wooden inserts were made inside so as not to break the knife. They were also made from birch bark or sewn together with animal skin.

Clearly prominent groove.

Another important point, the blade is sharpened on one side. But the handle was made and is being done now, from a birch rhizome.

It is quite reliable, and has a good grip on the shank.

Varieties of the Yakut knife "Sakha"

In different regions of Yakutia, there are different variations in the manufacture of a knife. But in general terms, it is a product with a length of 11 to 17 cm and a wooden handle, all from the same birch. It is called simply and briefly - "Sakha". There are twelve varieties. Their names will be presented in the purely Yakut language "Sakha rear", in brackets a literal translation and a small transcript:

1. "Oluy bygychcha" (small blunt knife) - a blade for drawing patterns on wooden products, its length is 3-5 cm.
2. "Otohut byһychcha" (very small) - a tool of a healer, healer, with a very thin and sharp end of the blade, the length of the blade is 3-7 cm.
3. “Uol oҕo kychchagar byһychcha” (knife for a boy) - a knife for a boy, length 7-11 cm.
4. "Die bygychcha" (home knife) - a home assistant with a length of 9-14 cm.
5. “Tabahyt bysaҕa” (for a reindeer breeder) - for cutting a deer carcass, the knife edge is very thin and beak-shaped, the blade is thin, “delicate”, its length is 9-12 cm.
6. "Kyra bult byhaha" (small for hunting) - a small hunter's knife, length 9-14 cm, soft hardening.
7. "Balyksyt byһaҕa" (fishing tool) - a tool for a fisherman, it is quite wide, the butt is thin, the tip is slightly bent upwards. The handle is made from birch bark.
8. "Bult byhaha" (for hunting) - a hunting wedge, its length is 15-18 cm.
9. "Mas үүһүn byһychcha" (knife for wood) - designed for woodworking, its length is 12 cm. Designed for cutting figured parts of furniture and other wooden products.
10. "Mas үүһүn byһаҕа" (large knife for wood) - a blade for working with wood, but larger than the previous one. Provides the processing of large parts, with a wide, thin blade. Hardened hard.
11. "Badaayi" (large heavy knife) - a large wedge, its length is up to 25 cm.
12. "Bolot byhah" (knife-sword) - even larger and heavier, blade length up to 30 cm.

Varieties. Small handmade blades. 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 you can brag to your friends about your new skills.

DIY instructions

For people living off reindeer herding and hunting, a knife is simply necessary. The blade is designed for both domestic work and more serious events. Depends, of course, on the length, as already described above.

In the Republic of Sakha since 1995, by decision of the government, the Yakut knife has been recognized as a cultural part of the people inhabiting it. And thanks to this decision, the blade can be carried without any permission. And use it for everyday life and household.

The manufacture of products is also not prosecuted 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 was possible to sharpen it in any conditions, but now they use anything for this business.

Springs, springs, bearings, files, parts from any technique, etc. The difference is only in this, but in the rest and in general, the process has not changed.

Blade dimensions drawing.

To start manufacturing, make a drawing for yourself, and always refer to it as you work. Small errors are allowed. But it is better to calculate everything in advance.

To make it, you can take any item from the above, but to have fewer problems, choose a more rectangular shape. It will be easier to work with a file, let's try to give step-by-step instructions for making a knife at home:

1. Cut off a piece of the desired size from the file and weld a rod to it, for the convenience of glowing in the forge.
2. The first heating is carried out slowly, when the color of heat (bright red) is reached, the temperature will be about 750 ° C. It is better to check with a magnet, professionals distinguish by color. If the workpiece is not magnetic, it's time to start forging it.
3. It is better to use two types of sledgehammers - heavy, 4 kilograms and 1.5 kilograms lighter. We forge with a heavy hammer, if the workpiece cools down - again into the forge, watch its color, otherwise you can just break it. It is necessary to forge along the entire length to a thickness of 2-3 mm.
4. Do not forget about the shank and the radius of the leading edge. You can immediately forge descents, to facilitate work on emery.
5. Large dol, we forge with the sharp side of the smaller hammer. We align the wedge and carry out normalization in oil. Don't forget to take a couple of hours off.
6. We remove all irregularities with emery, we bring the shape to a normal look. We correct the descents, if necessary, well, grinding and polishing - be patient.

File. Warm up and cook. Don't forget to warm up.
We continue to forge. We forge a gutter. Vacation.

Slowly, without haste, step on it with your foot and transfer all your weight to the blade. Should withstand a kilogram of 60-70, 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 steps.

Lever

With a handle, everything can be done simply, anyway, we cannot 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:

1. First of all, we drill a hole for the shank, insert the blade and select the caps for a tighter fastening. At this stage, it is better to wrap the wedge with masking tape.
2. We dilute the epoxy with sawdust, pour everything into the hole, put the shank in and drive in the prepared wood chips along the edges. We make sure that everything sits securely and leave it to dry for 24 hours.
3. The next step is to draw the center lines and begin to plan the future handle from all sides. And in all available ways.
4. Having reached a rounded shape and a normal diameter, we grind the handle, soak it with oils, you can dip it in boiling wax for 30 minutes. This is at the request of the owner of the blade.

Drilling. Epoxy. Markup. We plan.

Work must be carried out carefully, one wrong move and the handle is damaged. You will have to clean the shank of epoxy, which will already be like a stone, and do all the work from the beginning.

Sheath

The easiest way is to make wooden ones, for this, two blanks of wood are taken, the width is larger than the resulting knife itself. Then, putting a blade 2/3 long on them, we mark the grooves with a pencil. And we select them, with the help of a chisel, and carefully sand them with sandpaper.

The next step, carefully remove the excess from the outer sides with a planer. Then we check the fit of the knife in the sheath, if everything is fine, glue both halves with epoxy resin, sand the outside.

Apply the blade.

Pretty original wooden scabbard.

You can also sew a separate sheath of leather, the process is much more complicated, but aesthetically more pleasing to the eye. On our website there is an article: how to make a sheath at home from leather. We really hope it helps you.

The Yakut knife is a national treasure of the Sakha people along with mammoths, diamonds and khomuses. The traditional Yakut knife bykhah, the design of which has not changed much over the centuries, is widely used to this day in all spheres of economic activity of the people. It is focused in everything on the convenience of long and painstaking work and is simply created to separate meat from bone, plan frozen fish, and repair broken sleds.

Blacksmiths Alexander Danilov and Alexander Protopopov agreed to show and tell how this legendary item is made.

I met the masters at the exhibition of achievements of professional skills of the Republic of Sakha (Yakutia) "Profi Expo-2015" in Yakutsk

After a few hours, we have already begun the manufacturing process.

Alexander Danilov has been interested in knives since childhood. At first he began to carve on wood, then he became interested in jewelry, which later turned into work. I began to try to make knives just like that, for myself. I bought blades for planers and gave them the shape of a knife. Then he began to forge.

Alexander has been making the Yakut knife for twenty years, eight of which he devoted to the revival of traditional cheese smelting.

Blacksmith Alexander Danilov demonstrates a blade made in the traditional way from iron ore from which Yakut knives are made in his workshop.

Since ancient times, the Yakuts had developed mining and processing of iron ore, as well as the art of blacksmithing. Moreover, according to the testimony of Russian Cossacks, who in the 17th century came into conflict with the Yakuts, the quality of iron obtained from ore by Yakut blacksmiths was not inferior to the best foreign samples.

For the manufacture of the Yakut knife, blacksmiths use alloyed tool steel of various grades.

Exclusive knives are made from ore.

Even in ancient times, people collected valuable ore along the rivers and made weapons from it.

The preparation of such ore takes a very long time. It needs to be burned, enriched, crushed, and then only smelted metal. From 20 kg. ore usually comes out 10-11 of the required metal.

Coal also needs to be harvested independently. It is much cheaper for blacksmiths.

Usually, it takes 2-3 days to make one knife.

Knives can be gift and working. Mostly workers take them - they are used in the kitchen, hunting, fishing and at home. Gift items are made to order, usually decorated with engravings and other decorative elements. A gift set in the form of a custom-made knife with engraving and a lighter decorated with the same image looks very stylish.

Alexander continues to level the blade. The first feature is the asymmetry of the blade profile. It is sharpened only on the left side (if you hold the handle towards you), which is different from other knives with an asymmetrical profile, in which, as a rule, sharpening is done from the side of the working hand, that is, on the right side of the blade. The sharpened side of the blade of the Yakut knife is slightly convex.

These features have their own explanation. For the Yakut, the main material for processing is wood. The bulge on the blade facilitates the removal of chips, giving the right force, the master accurately and easily adjusts the depth of planing. In this case, the knife turns into a kind of high-precision multifunctional planer. In addition, cutting meat or fish (including frozen), as well as butchering animal carcasses, skinning and dressing animals is simplified. This greatly simplifies the process of sharpening the tool.

He grinds and sharpens workpieces.

On this machine, the workpiece is already taking the form of a traditional knife. The Yakut is sharpened on the one hand, on the other, the burr is only removed. It is easy to sharpen it with improvised materials, for example, on river pebbles.

The right, unsharpened side of the blade is equipped with a fuller, which the Yakuts call yos. This is another feature of the Yakut knife. According to one of the exotic versions, this detail has been present since the time when the knife was entirely made from sawn along the bone, and yos is nothing more than a canal from the bone marrow.

The flat, unsharpened side of the blade on the right side is called byhah haptahaya. This edge plays a special role: it makes the cross section of the blade close to a quadrangular shape. This enhances the piercing effect, for example, for piercing thick leather (for example, when sewing clothes) or drilling shallow holes.

Workpiece hardening

Alexander Protopopov worked as an excavator for 30 years, retired at 45 and has since started making knives. First it was a hobby, then a job.
- "I still have a teacher - Vinokurov Semyon Vasilievich. I show him my work. It seems to me that a person should study all his life," the blacksmith shares.

Masters also make knives from Damascus steel. This process is so complicated that it will not be possible to convey it in a couple of sentences.

- "It is cooled in oil, and quenched in a furnace. Oil can be heated to be quenched in it. Okay, carbon steel is quenched at 780-1000 degrees, the oil will ignite at this temperature. Cooled in oil, it provides fast and uniform cooling, which is very it is important for carbon steel that it does not crack when cooled abruptly." - says beegg technologist

The handle of the Yakut working knife is traditionally cut from a single piece of birch burl - a very strong wood with a rich texture. It is smooth, devoid of any stops and quite long. With a long handle, it is more convenient to work in the cold in mittens, and due to the elongated lever, the cutting of the knife increases. In cross section, the handle resembles an egg. This shape is chosen so that during some work the knife does not turn in the hand. An interesting way to mount the blade in the handle. First, a wide central hole is made and a pointed shank is driven into the handle. Then softwood wedges are inserted on the sides of the blade. They are bursting, and they clamp the blade in the handle. In order to protect the wooden handle from moisture, it is impregnated with special oils.

The sheath of real Yakut knives is simple and functional. They are made from an oxtail taken off with a stocking and a wooden insert inserted into it. The knife is recessed into a leather sheath on 1/3 of the handle and is fixed there due to friction. The blade hangs freely in a wooden insert inside the scabbard.

This makes it possible to freely put in and take out a knife with a blade on which blood and fat freeze when cutting game in winter. By the way, the Yakut knife can be removed with one hand, resting your thumb on the mouth of the scabbard. The scabbard is worn on a belt, on a free suspension from a leather strap in a position from inclined to horizontal.

On the blade of Alexander Danilov's knives there is a stamp depicting an ancient drawing of an eagle.

Scabbard grinding

Decorative elements on the master's table.

The scabbard is sheathed in leather

The skin is made in the neighboring ulus

Now the skin needs to be properly glued and stitched

As long as you can sharpen the knife itself

Sheath stitching

The Yakut knife (Yakut. byһakh) is one of the main attributes of the Sakha people. In each region of the republic, one can find some of its own peculiarities in the manufacture of the Yakut knife, although the general traditions are preserved, and only its individual details differ.

Features of the Yakut knife are simplicity, ease of use and wide functionality. Yakut hunting knives can be useful for cutting fish, meat or, if necessary, repairing something. Archaeological excavations show that in ancient times the ancestors of modern Yakuts used knives of a similar design, so we can say that the secret of the Yakut knife is passed down from generation to generation.

Nowadays, the Yakut knife is not only the personification of culture and history - it is widely used for a variety of purposes. It is difficult to find a Yakut family that does not possess at least one traditional knife. A good knife for a Yakut hunter is the closest and most loyal friend. Hundreds of craftsmen throughout Yakutia are engaged in the manufacture of the Yakut knife. Therefore, there are many versions that imply a variety of its forms and features. Not everyone can make a Yakut knife with their own hands. Traditionally, they are not bought ready-made, but ordered individually. The master takes into account the wishes of the future owner - he will never want to be sold another, somewhat similar, instead of a national instrument. Thus, a synthesis of the traditional and the individual is formed. Each Yakut knife has its own unique features, but they do not go beyond historical standards.

Drawings and dimensions

The dimensions of the Yakut knife, due to its wide functionality, have a very large range - from the smallest to the very large. Drawings of a real Yakut knife are not so easy to find, because the secret of its proper manufacture is carefully kept. General sizing information is shown below.

According to the style of manufacture and application, they are divided into twelve varieties:

1. Oyuu bygychchata - used for drawing a pattern (patterns) on wooden products. Blade length is 3-5 cm.
2. Otohut bygychchata - used by a healer, healer, with a very thin and sharp end of the blade. Usually 3-7 cm.
3. Wal oҕo kychchanar bygychchata - a knife for a boy. Blade length 7-11 cm.
4. Die-wat byһaҕa - homemade knife. Length 9-14 cm.
5. Tabaһyt byһаҕа - used for cutting the carcass of a deer (knife of a reindeer breeder), the tip is very thin and beak-shaped. The blade is thin, one might say, "gentle". Length 9-12 cm.
6. Kyra bult byһaҕa - a small hunter's knife. The blade is 9-14 cm long. The hardening is soft.
7. Balyksyt byһaҕa - a fisherman's knife. The blade is wide, the butt is thin, the tip is slightly bent upwards. The handle is made from birch bark.
8. Bult byhaha - a hunting knife. 15-18 cm.
9. Mas uuhun bygychchata - used by a cabinetmaker. For cutting figured parts of furniture and other wooden products. Length up to 12 cm.
10. Mas uuhun byһaҕa - also for the cabinetmaker. For processing large parts, with a wide, thin blade. Hardened hard.
11. Badaayi is a large knife. Up to 25 cm.
12. Bolo byһakh - even larger and heavier, blade length up to 30 cm. These 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.

In general, the dimensions of the Yakut knife can be divided in the following order:

1. If the blade length is from 8 to 11 cm, then this is a small knife. He calls "bygychcha" and is made for children and women. However, there are a number of tasks that are easier to solve with a knife with a small blade size. Therefore, it can conditionally be classified as economic.
2. A knife with a blade length of 11 to 17 cm is the most common. It is called "byһakh" and is used for a variety of purposes.
3. The longer blade - above 17 cm makes it a combat weapon. It is called "khotonokh" and is made quite rarely.

There are also knives with a longer blade size, which already belong to the type of axes and spears. For example: Yakut batas or Yakut batyya, the length of their blade is 40-60 cm. This is a beautiful, light military weapon, once loved by the Yakuts. They could stab and cut.

In the classification of the Yakut knife, the width of the blade also plays a role. If it is narrow, then it is referred to as tundra. It’s easier to cut something or make holes in something, which is the first thing you need in tundra conditions. The taiga Yakut knife is designed for cutting hunting trophies or livestock, as well as for processing wood. Such work is easier to carry out with a knife with a wider blade.

Blade

The blade of the Yakut knife is asymmetrical. The butt is straight, even, and the blade is sharp. On the right side is the dollar. It can take a variety of forms. Some craftsmen prefer to make a notch almost the entire area of ​​the side of the blade, leaving only a small edge near the butt, and someone is limited to a groove that is shifted closer to the handle. In the same direction, the fuller can be wider, and narrower towards the "nose" of the blade. This notch is called "yosom".

Jos arose for several reasons. Firstly, with it, the Yakut knife resembled those that the ancestors made from bones. The notch is just a tribute to tradition, it represents a natural opening for the bone marrow. From the technological side, it once arose as a compensatory leash when connecting, in the process of forging and hardening, soft and hard iron. Secondly, jos simplifies sharpening and straightening a knife in the cold and, although for some reason it is rarely talked about, it plays the role of an ordinary blood drain, which is present on most combat knives.

The shape of the Yakut knife, the presence of an unsharpened, even side of the blade, which is called “byһakh haptaҕaya”, enhances the penetrating effect, which makes it possible to inflict stabbing blows on animals with thick skins, as well as to perform piercing or knife drilling of the skin.

Today, only true masters know the true secrets of making a Yakut knife. Those copies that are common in central cities are far from the original. Usually, forging a Yakut knife is carried out from mild steel grades. Such a blade is easier to sharpen on anything - any suitable stone. It cannot be said that modern options involving the use of damask or Damascus steel have any negative properties. They just do not correspond to historical realities, which have always put practicality in the first place.

Handle

The handle of the Yakut knife is made from a single piece of birch burl - inherently very strong wood, which is impregnated with oils. In cross section, the handle has the shape of an egg. This shape is chosen so that during some work the knife does not turn in the hand.

An interesting way to mount the blade in the handle. First, a wide central hole is made and a pointed shank is driven into the handle. Then softwood wedges are inserted on the sides of the blade. They are bursting, and they clamp the blade in the handle. In order to protect the wooden handle from moisture, it is impregnated with special oils.

The narrow side of the handle is directed towards the blade. The length of the handle is always greater than the length of the blade and the width of the male palm. Usually it is 130 - 150 mm.

Firstly, in this way even a knife with a blade length of less than 110 mm turns into a weapon. The long handle allows for a series of strikes that would otherwise be much more difficult to execute.

Secondly, with such a handle it is much more convenient to butcher the carcasses of hunted animals.

Thirdly, a knife with a long handle will not sink in water - it will play the role of a float. The Yakut knife does not have any additional elements - guards, stops, etc.

Sheath

The sheath of the Yakut knife is simple and functional. They are made from an oxtail taken off with a stocking and a wooden insert inserted into it. The Yakut knife is recessed into a leather sheath on 1/3 of the handle and is fixed there due to friction. The blade hangs freely in a wooden insert inside the scabbard.

This makes it possible to freely put in and take out a knife with a blade on which blood and fat freeze when cutting game in winter. By the way, a real Yakut knife can be removed with one hand, resting your thumb on the mouth of the scabbard. The scabbard is worn on a belt, freely suspended from a leather strap in an inclined or horizontal position.

In the old days and today it is permissible to use a sheath made of sewn pieces of leather. Once upon a time, birch bark was also used, very rarely only wood.

sharpening

The sharpening of the Yakut knife is done from the side of the valley (right for right-handers, left for left-handers). The block should be applied to the cutting edge at a slight angle (<5°) и точить лезвие сверху вниз (в направление от обуха до кромки) до того момента, пока не появится тонкая блестящая линия на режущей кромке. Эта линия по-якутски называется «кылаан» и является самой острой частью режущей кромки.

Some experts say that this is a burr and should be removed, but you should not listen to them, most likely they do not know how to sharpen a Yakut knife correctly. "Kylaan" should have a slight angle to the left side of the blade. It is strictly forbidden to sharpen the Yakut knife on the left - it has a one-sided sharpening. On the left, it is allowed only slightly (very carefully) to edit the “kylaan” when it bends.

Sharpening is done as the “kylaan” disappears. To do this, you need to have several bars with different grain sizes. Sharpen from large to small.

It is impossible to mix coals with a Yakut knife or overheat the blade. In this case, a vacation will occur - the blade will become soft. For the same reason, it is impossible to sharpen the blade on an electric sharpener.

Wearing and using

A leather strap or cord is threaded into the sheath. With it, the Yakut knife is attached to the belt, on the left side and the blade to the left. This makes it possible to quickly grab it with a right-hander. Of course, left-handers carry a knife on the right. The suspension is free so as not to interfere with movements.

It should be understood that "byһakh" with a notch and a forged blade length of 110 mm is a real weapon. And its production, distribution and wearing is a matter that is reflected in the Criminal Code. So it was in the days of the RSFSR, when "byһakh" was outlawed. True, the possession of a knife did not entail any serious consequences. In modern Yakutia, this is regulated by a separate act of the government of the Republic of Sakha.

The Yakut knife is recognized as part of the culture of the Sakha people, and its storage and use in everyday life, sale to tourists and demonstration during mass events are allowed on the territory of the republic. Yakut handmade knives become not only exhibits of folk art exhibitions, but are also widely used in everyday life, during hunting, fishing, various housework.

Where can I buy?

You can buy a real Yakut knife in specialized stores or directly from local craftsmen in. Each copy has its own documents and licenses. Prices range from 4,000 rubles to 20,000 rubles.

You can buy a Yakut knife not only in Yakutia, but also abroad. Knowledgeable people prefer factory samples in this matter. In factory production, the manufacturing process of the product is debugged, defects and deviations from forging traditions are minimized.

Samples of Yakut knives, made in a piece copy by local craftsmen, have a unique design, but for this the price of such knives is many times higher.

Video

If you are interested, you can watch a video about the Yakut knife, which describes in detail its actual work:

Photo

Below are photos of the Yakut knives of famous Yakut masters: