SimplyMinded
I'm Tolerated!
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Not to be a jerk but have the prices on these dropped? Now might actually be the time to buy. Whatever is going on isn't gonna last forever.
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The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is$300$250 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
A new Kizlyar video showing their use of mostly old school craftsmanship...
- Thread starter PocketKnifeJimmy
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I was a bit curious about my USA source for Kizlyar, so I took a peek at their website to see if there were any changes.
I don't believe that this source I speak of has much choice but to go forward with trying to sell their wares, (since just about everything they sell is Russian manufactured).
As for their prices?... I saw no changes.
They usually sell a lot of their stock before getting new shipments.
From what I noticed over there, they are out of stock on a lot of items, and who knows if the current situation will even allow them to be restocked.
They will either have to diversity their product offerings very quickly, or maybe have to close up shop. Again, almost everything they sell on their website is Russian made. If folks decide to boycott by not purchasing their products, or if restocking becomes impossible, then they will simply be left dead in the water.
Yeah, it looks like they are in a tough spot right now.
By the way, your question got me to thinking about something... How about the Kizlyar knives that have been selling on the "bay" auction site directly from Russia and even Kizlyar itself?
Well, I drifted over there and took a peek there as well. It seems those listings are now gone!
It does make sense, since I believe the financial sanctions placed on Russia likely affected their being able to exchange funds.
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I'll start off by stating that I own about twenty or so Kizlyar made products, which I had purchased to include them into my collecting hobby.
Kizlyar is a well known knife and sword maker in many parts of the world, but is barely on anyone's radar here in the USA.
With Kizlyar being located in Dagestan Russia, and with Russia's recent invasion of Ukraine, it looks like their chances of gaining more traction over here in America is very unlikely, (at least for the foreseeable future).
I myself am refraining from acquiring any more Kizlyar items, at least for now, and have my personal reasons for doing so.
Okay, I want to put the political entanglements aside for a moment and discuss Kizlyar's products.
They are made with a blend of modern and old school craftsmanship.
The 22 minute video below, which Kizlyar put up on youtube this morning, gives a nice glimpse of how a lot of this is done. They make everything right in house, even their own sheaths and scabbards.
I think most of you folks will find it interesting
It does start off with their main public representative talking about the firm in Russian, and that lasts for about one minute. So, unless you understand Russian, it would be best to skip forward to the 1 minute mark, that's when the visuals of their work begins...
I please ask for this thread to not become a slam fest on the current war that Russia has going on in Ukraine. I myself find it a horrible situation and have a good friend that has some family over there in Ukraine. It angers me that Putin has done this terrible thing.
But, I would simply like this thread to be a focus on these products made by craftsmen and craftswomen at Kizlyar.
Thank you in advance for not letting it become a thread about the war
So sad. The invasion actually reminded me of how much I wanted a Kizlyar Stalker and I almost bought one around the start of the invasion but I held myself back for obvious reasons. I also had concerns that if I bought something straight from Russia it might not make it or go through customs. It's too damn bad because I think most Russians are good people and many have family ties to Ukraine. What a tragedy the whole thing is. I really like the Stalker and the Mongoose. I also found another Russian brand called NC Custom that has really cool designs.
I hope this madness will end soon.
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I believe the Kizlyar firm has a very limited footing in the US knife market. Imo, they losing sales here will not be a huge dent to them, but if they take a big hit in their Western European and Australian sales, that could be a big financial hit on their bottom line.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for them and all other Russian manufacturing businesses.
In the end, each customer/potential customer has full right to make his/her own buying decisions. If there is a 50% drop in a company's export sales, and if those export sales are a big part of that company's bottom line, that will cause big hurt.
Will companies like Kizlyar survive such a hit? I think so, but the longer the situation and their customers/potential customers sentiments continue hurting their sales, the more likelihood that a company like Kizlyar will have to make big changes to scale back their operations. Layoffs, cutting hours, shrinking their product line, and more could and will likely occur.
I was hoping that maybe this thread would have focused on Kizlyar manufacturing methods displayed in the video I shared in my original posting of this thread.
I was hoping that maybe some folks would chime in with their own pictures of Kizlyar knives they may have that they appreciate owning. I was hoping that it would have been like most other posts on this board that pertain to knives made in China, which are very common on this forum. Everyone knows there are geopolitical aspects, but usually the buyers and users of the China made knives can come in and focus on putting up their pics and usage experiences, without the conversation becoming all about those geopolitical aspects.
Well, I guess I no longer have hope that we can do that here with Kizlyar
I will now cease participating in this thread, since it obviously is not going to head the way that I had hoped it would.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for them and all other Russian manufacturing businesses.
In the end, each customer/potential customer has full right to make his/her own buying decisions. If there is a 50% drop in a company's export sales, and if those export sales are a big part of that company's bottom line, that will cause big hurt.
Will companies like Kizlyar survive such a hit? I think so, but the longer the situation and their customers/potential customers sentiments continue hurting their sales, the more likelihood that a company like Kizlyar will have to make big changes to scale back their operations. Layoffs, cutting hours, shrinking their product line, and more could and will likely occur.
I was hoping that maybe this thread would have focused on Kizlyar manufacturing methods displayed in the video I shared in my original posting of this thread.
I was hoping that maybe some folks would chime in with their own pictures of Kizlyar knives they may have that they appreciate owning. I was hoping that it would have been like most other posts on this board that pertain to knives made in China, which are very common on this forum. Everyone knows there are geopolitical aspects, but usually the buyers and users of the China made knives can come in and focus on putting up their pics and usage experiences, without the conversation becoming all about those geopolitical aspects.
Well, I guess I no longer have hope that we can do that here with Kizlyar
I will now cease participating in this thread, since it obviously is not going to head the way that I had hoped it would.
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I believe the Kizlyar firm has a very limited footing in the US knife market. Imo, they losing sales here will not be a huge dent to them, but if they take a big hit in their Western European and Australian sales, that could be a big financial hit on their bottom line.
It will be interesting to see how it all plays out for them and all other Russian manufacturing businesses.
In the end, each customer/potential customer has full right to make his/her own buying decisions. If there is a 50% drop in a company's export sales, and if those export sales are a big part of that company's bottom line, that will cause big hurt.
Will companies like Kizlyar survive such a hit? I think so, but the longer the situation and their customers/potential customers sentiments continue hurting their sales, the more likelihood that a company like Kizlyar will have to make big changes to scale back their operations. Layoffs, cutting hours, shrinking their product line, and more could and will likely occur.
I was hoping that maybe this thread would have focused on Kizlyar manufacturing methods displayed in the video I shared in my original posting of this thread.
I was hoping that maybe some folks would chime in with their own pictures of Kizlyar knives they may have that they appreciate owning. I was hoping that it would have been like most other posts on this board that pertain to knives made in China, which are very common on this forum. Everyone knows there are geopolitical aspects, but usually the buyers and users of the China made knives can come in and focus on putting up their pics and usage experiences, without the conversation becoming all about those geopolitical aspects.
Well, I guess I no longer have hope that we can do that here with Kizlyar
I will now cease participating in this thread, since it obviously is not going to head the way that I had hoped it would.
I believe that you are right. the US market exposure is limited to start with, The bigger issue for Kizlyar, which has their European headquarters in Switzerland, is how the EU and UK actions will affect them. And regardless of where they may be HQ'd, they are obviously going to have to pay their workers and craftsmen in Rubles, which is not an issue for domestic sales income, but a serious one for export sales as USD, Euros, British pounds, etc. can no longer be wire remitted to Russian banks,
If most of Kyzlar's sales are domestic I don't see any real issue. But I have no idea, (and I doubt anyone here does) what percentage their export sales comprise.
While we see sanctions all the time, this one is one of (if not the biggest scale sanction I have ever seen. So it's not going to be an easy task to be discussing on an internet knife forum and expect to cover every aspect and make predictions.
Great knives and blades worth seeing and discussing, But um...yea..kind of bad timing there.
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I was online earlier today and read some information about the 'Nord Crown' brand that I felt I should share here to partially correct the info I had placed up about Nord Crown in the above post.
I was correct in saying that it was a branch of Kizlyar for their most artistic offerings.
Well, while that was true, the 'Nord Crown' branch apparently went on their own at some point. So, I don't know if they are in any way still a part of Kizlyar or not.
Here's how Nord Crown states it on their website...
"Starting from 2002 the art-knife studio existed as a branch of well-known Russian company Kizlyar.
Experience and skills acquired during these years turned the studio into a separate entity, Nord Crown, that specializes in design and creation of author art knives and custom art knives in limited editions.
The company’s staff includes members of the Artists Union of Russia, best graduates of Art-Industry Academy of Shtiglitz as well as master weapon-crafters of the highest qualification.
A knife ‘Gurza’, developed in Saint-Petersburg received a Golden Medal from the Chamber of Trade and Industry of the USA in 2000.
At the IWA – 2004 a knife ‘Golden Mask’ received first place in the competition for the best collector’s Knife.
The company received a number of diplomas and awards at multiple international exhibitions.
Nord Crown became an official supplier of the Gift Fund of the President of the Russian Federation from 2005."
This following picture is from the Nord Crown website, it being the knife that I was lusting for before the invasion of Ukraine occurred.
I just love the contouring of that Damascus blade! Simply BEAUTIFUL!
Well, darn it, I really was thinking hard about acquiring it
A Nord Crown video...
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Part of me feels very guilty for caving in to my desire for obtaining the knife I mentioned above... But, I went against my own plan to not obtain any more Russia made products.
When I first discovered the Kizlyar of Dagestan Russia brand, I did a little research on them that lead me to then discover the 'Nord Crown' brand.
Nord Crown had it's start by being a branch of Kizlyar to make their company's highest grade Art Knives. It was basically what we see in the firearms industry when a gun company has a separate "Custom Shop".
Well, Kizlyar's custom shop went so well, that it went on to be distinguished separately as 'Nord Crown'.
Although I did go on to purchase a good assortment of Kizlyar knives for my collection, I had not obtained any of the 'Nord Crown' Art Knife Studio knives... Well, that is, until this past Tuesday, right after I had put up the post above.
I tried to rationalize ordering it by knowing that the vendor is a long standing dealer of mostly Russian made knives, and that it's an American business. That this vendor has no fault in what is currently going on abroad. That the knife is already in country, and that whatever money in taxes or tariffs Russia would make off of the knife, had already occurred before the incident in Ukraine had started. That it doesn't look like the vendor can replenish these items for the foreseeable future because of certain sanctions.
But, still, my guilt was not totally going away, and yet I went against that guilt and placed an expedited order for the knife, (next day delivery).
It happened to be the only one the dealer had in inventory, (they listing it now as being "sold out" on their website). The few other USA based vendors that sold this brand and model, were already listing them as being sold out.
Guilt?... Yes, I can't totally feel good about my decision.
But, I also feel a sense of satisfaction about the knife I received from the vendor, it having met my expectations.
Yup, it's a mixed emotions situation.
Again, the knife was made by the 'Nord Crown' Art Knife Studio located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The model is 'Akula' (Shark).
It has a hand forged Damascus blade.
The silvered pommel and guard are shaped like a Shark's head and tail fin, with the Ebony wood handle shaped as it's body.
The waves done on the blade's ricasso area seem to represent the water the Shark is swimming through.
A few pictures of the knife I received...
The following picture I obtained right off of the vendor's website.
My looking closely at it, I noticed that the Damascus pattern on the knife is exactly the same pattern as the knife I received, so he obviously used my knife to take this picture.
While the sheath is embossed with the Nord Crown logo, there is no such brand marking on the knife itself.
The only marking it has is the numbers 030 which look like they were done with an electric pencil. I don't know if that is it's serial number, but since these are a limited production hand crafted item, it very likely is that the number means 30th made of this knife.
When I first discovered the Kizlyar of Dagestan Russia brand, I did a little research on them that lead me to then discover the 'Nord Crown' brand.
Nord Crown had it's start by being a branch of Kizlyar to make their company's highest grade Art Knives. It was basically what we see in the firearms industry when a gun company has a separate "Custom Shop".
Well, Kizlyar's custom shop went so well, that it went on to be distinguished separately as 'Nord Crown'.
Although I did go on to purchase a good assortment of Kizlyar knives for my collection, I had not obtained any of the 'Nord Crown' Art Knife Studio knives... Well, that is, until this past Tuesday, right after I had put up the post above.
I tried to rationalize ordering it by knowing that the vendor is a long standing dealer of mostly Russian made knives, and that it's an American business. That this vendor has no fault in what is currently going on abroad. That the knife is already in country, and that whatever money in taxes or tariffs Russia would make off of the knife, had already occurred before the incident in Ukraine had started. That it doesn't look like the vendor can replenish these items for the foreseeable future because of certain sanctions.
But, still, my guilt was not totally going away, and yet I went against that guilt and placed an expedited order for the knife, (next day delivery).
It happened to be the only one the dealer had in inventory, (they listing it now as being "sold out" on their website). The few other USA based vendors that sold this brand and model, were already listing them as being sold out.
Guilt?... Yes, I can't totally feel good about my decision.
But, I also feel a sense of satisfaction about the knife I received from the vendor, it having met my expectations.
Yup, it's a mixed emotions situation.
Again, the knife was made by the 'Nord Crown' Art Knife Studio located in St. Petersburg, Russia.
The model is 'Akula' (Shark).
It has a hand forged Damascus blade.
The silvered pommel and guard are shaped like a Shark's head and tail fin, with the Ebony wood handle shaped as it's body.
The waves done on the blade's ricasso area seem to represent the water the Shark is swimming through.
A few pictures of the knife I received...
The following picture I obtained right off of the vendor's website.
My looking closely at it, I noticed that the Damascus pattern on the knife is exactly the same pattern as the knife I received, so he obviously used my knife to take this picture.
While the sheath is embossed with the Nord Crown logo, there is no such brand marking on the knife itself.
The only marking it has is the numbers 030 which look like they were done with an electric pencil. I don't know if that is it's serial number, but since these are a limited production hand crafted item, it very likely is that the number means 30th made of this knife.
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Tough time to bring it up...but all I saw in the video was skilled craftsmen doing good work and making nice knives.
I dont come here to solve global problems, I come here to talk to and help people who like using, making, and collecting knives.
The internet has enough space to talk about the awful shit that happens outside of bladeforums.
I dont come here to solve global problems, I come here to talk to and help people who like using, making, and collecting knives.
The internet has enough space to talk about the awful shit that happens outside of bladeforums.
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True story, Sir.
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I wanted to place my new knife out in one of my current display cases, but there were none with any space left to squeeze her in.
But, since I already have a few other knives waiting on my setting up a new display case for them, I simply swapped out one of the knives in this display in order to put put it in.
My collection is VERY eclectic, so the new knife just blends right into the mix
But, since I already have a few other knives waiting on my setting up a new display case for them, I simply swapped out one of the knives in this display in order to put put it in.
My collection is VERY eclectic, so the new knife just blends right into the mix
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rexromic
Gold Member
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Very nice blades!Here are two Kizlyar made Kindjal Daggers that I own. I noticed they showed a few glimpses of these during that video above
View attachment 1788565View attachment 1788566
Here are some examples of my other Kizlyars...
View attachment 1788568
View attachment 1788569View attachment 1788570View attachment 1788571View attachment 1788572View attachment 1788573
Here is my Kizlyar 'Phoenix Combat' model knife.
It has a full length/full width tang, micarta type handle scales, U8 Russian Carbon Steel blade material, and a matte black hard chrome finish.
I believe this model has somewhat been sought after here in the US, at one time being very difficult to find, (unless one was willing to order it from abroad). While still pretty scarce in the USA, there have been a few US online vendors that have sold them.
If it looks familiar, it's because 'Tops' Knives makes their own rendition of this Russisn knife.
Tops calls theirs the 'Wild Pig Hunter'.
I don't believe the Tops version is an licensed/authorized one, but it clearly is based on the Phoenix knife. (I own both).
Kizlyar Phoenix Combat
View attachment 1788575
Tops Wild Pig Hunter
View attachment 1788577
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Until last night, I had not realized that the online vendor I purchased the Nord Crown Akula/Shark knife from, was/is a host/sponsor here on BladeForums.
I feel much better now about having made the purchase.
Anyhow, the website is https://russianknives.com/
and they host the Rosarms forum on Blade Forums
I feel much better now about having made the purchase.
Anyhow, the website is https://russianknives.com/
and they host the Rosarms forum on Blade Forums
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I'm still trying to get a Kizlyar Phoenix,I have quality replicas and the Tops Wild Pig Hunter but imo the Phoenix is superior, I'd trade it for a Kizlyar in a second,thanks for sharing your pictures and post