What distinguishes a Sakha knife?

What distinguishes
a Sakha knife?

Sakha is one of the Turkic nations, living further north of all. Sakha people managed to survive in the Extreme North conditions thanks to mastering iron-smelting processes and breeding cattle and horses. The severity of climate may be shown by the lowest temperature officially recorded where people live permanently -97.6℉. Breeding horses and cattle in such harsh environments demanded advanced technology of that time, including ferrous metallurgy. Thus, the Sakha civilization stood on two backbones: unpretentious and hardy Sakha horse breed and skillful blacksmiths.

The ultimate survival tool for the Sakhas in the north has always been and still is the Sakha knife. As our famous poet wrote – it is the tool for survival. Its perfection is simplicity functionality and practicality. One can do virtually anything with its help. Making Sakha knives in its base has been preserved for centuries, the tools of the trade being passed from one generation to another.

The Sakha knife has a unique asymmetrical blade. One side of the blade is convex just like in convenient knives, but what distinguishes Sakha from other knives is the other side which is flat with a fuller. This allows for simpler sharpening. There are many theories about the fuller. Here are some: the fuller is needed to make the blade stiffer; the fuller makes the blade lighter and easier to sharpen; the fuller decreases the resistance of the cut material due to lesser contact patch.

The knife handle has one-axis symmetry and it is egg-shaped in the cross-section. This tells a person where the cutting edge of his knife is without looking and gives a comfortable grip, especially when splitting wood. Traditionally handles are made of birch burl – light, durable and pleasant to the eye.

Wooden sheaths have a through channel for the blade and a ledge for the handle to rest. This ledge is used to fix the gimbal and it also prevents cuts when grabbing the knife. Unsheathing is easily done by one hand, which may be vital in critical conditions. The scabbard is usually dressed in leather, birch bark, or whole cow tail skin.

As time went by traditional Sakha knives underwent certain changes. Instead of bloomery iron modern craftsmen use various steel alloys, powder steels, Damascus and Bulat steels. The materials for the handle range from mammoth tusks to horns and bones. One can say that the Sakha knife is switching from a utilitarian role to a status symbol. Modern Sakha knives are decorated with precious stones and metals, becoming works of art.

Sakha knife will always be relevant in the traditional culture of the Sakha people and their arts.

Blacksmith artist Roman Petrov is the author of "Hunters", a composition composed of a blade of his own forging, a handle, and a figure. This piece is inspired by the strong antlers of moose, which are native to the taiga region and are often used to cut bones. As with all his works, Roman Petrov has his own unique style and handwriting, and his themes are related to the natural world, hunting and fishing, in the north of Russia. He is based in a small village situated close to the Arctic Ocean, and his works are highly sought after and can be seen in the collections of numerous museums and collectors.

This artwork features three authors, a San Mai blade made with copper by the renowned blacksmith, a handle made from a mammoth bone, a handmade scrimshaw by the talented young artist Ayisien Platonov, an ornate brass guard, and a sheath made from natural raw leather. Plus, there's a figure of a hunter-horned lynx-elk-smith by Roman Petrov.

An exquisite handmade knife, a blade melted from locally mined iron ore and hand-forged by master blacksmith Baaha Uus, a handle made of birch cap and 925 silver samples of jeweler Sergey Potapov, decorated with semi-precious stone charmite. The only place where it can be found is in the southern part of the Sakha Republic, along the Chara River.

This blade is crafted from mosaic steel by the skilled blacksmith, Saryal Bilyukin, and the handle is composed of a stabilized birch cap. The guard is crafted from 925 silver, and the sheath is hand-crafted from a bull's tail with an insert and adorned with silver.

These beautiful little knives are made by master Roman Petrov and feature a moose antler figure handle, carved raven heads, and a Forester as the owner of the forest. They also come with melchior guards with decorations of fish scales and greenery. The sheath is handcrafted from natural leather and features a fish scales ornament in the center.

This knife has been reconstructed from a museum exhibit from the 18th century. It was discovered during an artifact excavation and is crafted from iron ore and manually forged by the renowned master, Alexander Danilov. The handle is made of larch and tin, while the sheath is hand-made from a bull's tail with an insert. The knife is decorated with 925 silver sample and was custom-ordered by renowned blacksmiths, and was worn by wealthy merchants during the same period.

This chef's knife is crafted by a young, skilled blacksmith Andrey Vinokurov in San Mai, featuring a handle made from a cap of Siberian birch and a brass guard. It is secured with a pine sheath and a moose horn pinlock.

This exquisite knife is the perfect present for a passionate collector, a friend, or a true gentleman. Reconstructed from a museum exhibit from the 18th century, these knives were worn by prominent merchants and crafted by renowned masters of the Northern Edge. Crafted by hand, the knife is cast from iron ore and crafted from a variety of materials, including Siberian larch and tin, as well as silver and natural leather.

This website offers a unique selection of one-of-a-kind knives hand made from and to by renowned masters of the knife industry of the Sakha people. By purchasing these exquisite knives, customers can experience the energy, spirit, and warmth of the handcrafted knives of the northern people, who live in inhospitable conditions.

An example of knife making, the beauty of materials!

Sakha people have developed the art of bone carving. «Сaribou» work by Nikolai Petrov, from moose horn. San-Mai with nickel, mammoth tusk and stabilized mammoth tooth.

We can produce knives, gift sets, personalized items from materials chosen by you according to your order.

Our knives, various bone figures, compositions are made only by hand, in single pieses or in small series.

Scissors and khomus, hand forged by blacksmiths. Khomus is a national musical instrument called «Jews harp».

All of these knives belong to my private collection. If anyone is interested in purchasing a specific knife, please contact me by e-mail.

All knives are made with natural materials and have a great appearance.

After lying in certain soil with unique mineralogy for thousands of years, the mammoth tusk's crust has developed an elite greenish-blue tint.

Master blacksmith Saryal Bilyukin expertly crafted a stunning San-Mai blade, complete with a hilt and scabbard made entirely of mammoth tusk.

I create knife sketches as a designer. I work independently and use my creativity and expertise to make detailed and precise designs.

These patterns of the handles for the mammoth tusks that have been stabilized are like nothing else in the world - unique and one-of-a-kind.

After applying a metal etching technique, a pattern is created on the blade. The handles are crafted from stabilized birch burl and mammoth tooth.

The colour and pattern of the natural Siberian birch burl is truly a sight to behold. Its unique beauty is unmatched and will add a touch of sophistication to any setting.