Going to Turkey want to buy a knife

J

Jerry Reichlin

Joined
Apr 10, 2003
Messages
6
I am going to Turkey in a few days. I am interested in buying a knife while I am there. I will have a couple of hundred dollars or so to spend on one. Can anyone suggest traditional styles of knives particular to Turkey or the region? I assume that I will be looking for a fixed blade but I am open to suggestions? Does anyone know any knife stores or makers in Istanbul that they can recommend. What should I watch out for? Is the steel likely to be inferior? I assume that a modern reproduction would be superior to an antique in quality but perhaps not in craftsmanship.
 
Turkey, huh?

180px-Döner_kebab_slicing.jpg


scnr :D


You should try to get a traditional "yatagan". But beware of that cheap tourist crap.
yatagan7.jpg

named after the town of yatagan:
carte_yatagan.jpg
 
There's a Turkish knifemaker lurking the blade shop forum, you might want to post your question there or contact him directly (his forum username is galadduin). He should be able to give you further pointers at the very least or perhaps even get you interested in his own work :D
 
Here is a little info on galadduin:

I am Emre Kipmen, 32 years old , male, from Turkey. I finished two Universities, first Computer Programing, finally Protohistoria Middle Eastern Archaeology. I have been working sometimes as a programmer sometimes as an archaeolog in several excavations dating from 7000 BC to 550 BC. in 2003 there was a sudden change in my life. I had to fulfill my military obligation (In Turkey every male has to attend to army for 8 months to 18 months). Before i went, i quit my job and left my master studies in University. I returned back to Bodrum, where my parents live, and i started to build a forge. The decission was sudden and for no reason. May be i was bored of city life and carrier oriented life style.

I am making tools for my friends needs, knives for my liking and sometimes selling them. Sometimes i start forging a sword but never finished one. I am a perfectionist and it is a kind sickness for me. I never make anything completely if its not going perfectly (for me). Therefore my production speed is very low compared to a knife maker but I am a fulltime bladesmith.

Yes i am a newbee in this business but i have a constant income (rented my house in Ankara), i never spend it and the income is spent on my projects. I am pretty sure of i will be somekind of decent bladesmith in 20 years or so. I have all the time, no need to haste.

Here is a link to his profile:
http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/member.php?userid=137849
 
If you can get to Sinop go see the Ozekes Brothers there.....they have been there for generations and make excellent knives. You can get Randall style fighters from them.....good prices.....

A buddy carried one in Vietnam that he had made in 1965 by the Ozekes.
 
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