Help with pichok from Uzbekistan

[samek]

Recently I bought this exotic little knife for little money. I find out on internet it is a traditional Uzbeks knife »pichok« made probably in Fergana valley in Uzbekistan. Can anyone of you, experts, tells if it is an original, quality item or it is a souvenir knife, made for tourists? It is, no doubt, hand made and pretty solid. There are many inlays on handle, wihich, I belive, is made of horn. Brass inlays are on the blade too. Blade has a black coating like some fire weapons – I dont know the right technical term.
Blade length: 10,7 cm
Blade width: 2,6 cm
Blade thickness: 2,5 mm
Length owerall: 20,5 cm

Any of your data and comments will be appreciated.













Samek

[makandr]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chust,_Uzbekistan
https://www.google.ru/search?q=%D1%8...w=1540&bih=786

[bernard_levine]

Can anyone of you, experts, tells if it is an original, quality item or it is a souvenir knife, made for tourists?

How about "an original [low] quality item made for tourists"?

BRL...

[makandr]

http://dukanvostoka.ru/magazin?folde...01&mode=folder - it's quality item made for tourists.

[brownshoe]

I have one that was brought back to me by a tourist to Uzbekistan.

It's handle is multi-colored acrylic layers in the shape of a boot. It has the same decorations on the bolsters and dots on the handle as others. It came with a good flat ground edge. It is very shiny, probably stainless steel. So shiny, I first thought it was chromed. I used it a lot for awhile. The flat zero grind made an excellent edge. It kept the edge, but I only cut things that should be cut with a knife. Per a russian translator at work, the price is printed on the blade, no maker's mark. The sheath is a pouch type (like the ones in the second link from makandr) well-made and includes an interior plastic sleeve so the blade will not cut through the leather. The pouch sheath is scandi in style, but not scandi in decoration or in the belt loop. It has an interesting way to include the belt loop w/o sewing. There are slits and flaps. You can see of them in some of pictures in makandr's link. Unfortunately I do not have a digital camera, or I'd post pictures myself.

The knife may be cheap, it may be for tourists, but it is a good knife, it is well made, has a nice useful sheath and both are pretty...don't buy no ugly knife. My daughter covets it since the handle is in the shape of a boot and she likes footwear. It's the best made tourist knife I've seen.

[makandr]

Traditional material for Uzbek pchak - bearings.

[Thomas Linton]

Yes. Boot. I see it now. Mukluks.