Black Sea Yataghan *influenced* short sword

Kumdo

Kumdo

Joined
Mar 7, 2000
Messages
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Hello all. I was going to put this in the gallery but I thought it would be more appropriate here. I hope it's OK to post here. This one's coming with me to the Vegas show but I thought I'd post some pictures.

I've been fascinated for some time by the old Turkish swords called yataghans. The past 2 swords I did were influenced heavily by them, and I even named one "Yataghan", although it is a very loose interpretation of one.

This new one is much more similar in design to a real yataghan. One of the most indicative elements on these swords is the "ears" that extend off the pommel. There is, however, a rarer variation of yataghan, which has longer, skinny, pointy ears. The blades tend to be very dramatic in shape (almost snake-like).

This sword has a slightly more traditional yataghan blade shape, but the "ears" are much more like the Black Sea variations. Here are the specs:

-26" overall length, 18" blade
-slightly convex flat grind 5160 with an etched finish that looks old (and sort of like damascus or folded steel)
-handle is ziracote (so dense and hard to work it makes ironwood seem like balsa), with ironwood transistion/bolster

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Sheath is has a double welt (sp?) for rigidity. 10 oz cow hide, stamped, airbrush dyed...

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Comments/imput of all sorts appreciated....

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Thanks!
 
That is the most appealing looking sword I have EVER seen pictures of. Clean, deeply elegant, and functional looking!
 
That's a very nice piece of craftsmanship.

How does the blade geometry compare to an original?

How did you work that wood if it is so hard? I hear ironwood is a beast so if this stuff is harder...
 
Thanks for the compliments guys.

Triton, one of the things I like about Yataghans is how extremely diverse in style they are. The geometry on this one is sort of a hybrid of a typical Balkan Yataghan and a "Black Sea" variant. I've seen some very dramatic re-curve, almost snake-like, profiles. Here's an interesting example: http://www.oriental-arms.com/photos.php?id=1167

The traditional Yataghans looks to be flat or possibly light-convex grinds too, although I've never seen one up close.

As for working the Ziracote, I used my metal cutting bandsaw to rough it out. I swear it is harder to cut than steel. I think part of the problem is that it kept gumming up the blade. Same thing with my grinder-- the belt instantly would get loaded with this sticky residue. It was a pain, but I'm pretty happy with the results.

Thanks for the input!
 
Well it's certainly a beautiful job. Why did you decide on that wood if it is such a pain? Just wanted to push the envelope a little? :)
 
It was the first time I used it. I heard that it was very dense, so I thought it would be a good idea for the "ears", which seemed likely to be relatively fragile. Plus, it looks cool. ;)
 
I need to fill a couple orders for these, but after those the next sword will probably be a psuedo-Japanese style katana-esque piece. Traditionalists will balk, but I care not. ;) Probably a sword version of this model:

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variation:
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Interesting, I bet you are going to have to thin it down a bit. Those knives look pretty hefty? I'm thinking that if you just make a sword length one you will have a bit of a boat anchor on your hands. :) It will be interesting to see what you come up with. You will post pictures?
 
Went looking at your site... then thought about it a little... Have you ever had the urge to try your hand at some Chinese sabers? Seems like it would be a pefect fit for your style.
 
Yeah, if I kept the width the same as on the knife it'd be heavier that your average katana (all other things being equal), but it would still be quite a bit lighter than my AT Phat Bastard :). I know, 2 different animals.

Point me in the direction of the sort of sabers you're talking about; I'd be interested to see them. I like the look of the dao, although I am very unacquainted/unlearned about Chinese weapons in general.
 
Ah yes. So we are talking about daos? Very cool swords. I've never handled one (that I can remember)... but yes, I could definitely see doing a variation of that style. Thanks for the input and idea... :D
 
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