Uzbek Pchak 1 (horn handle)

Pchak (from the Uzbek wordPichoq– knife)is a traditional knife of Uzbeks and Uyghurs, widespread with minor differences in details throughout Central Asia. Pchaks traditionally have a single-edged blade with a full flat grind set in a (mostly) narrow handle with a round cross-section. A narrow tang extends from the blade at the level of the spine. These are utility knives, for kitchen work, although among the Uyghurs the pchak was a man's attribute, so it also had to be used as a weapon. Pchaks were made from various materials; for the wealthy, they could be high-quality steels with richly decorated handles, but such specimens were rare. Bułat and damask steel were rather used for sabers, and mass-produced pchaks were made of low-hardness carbon steels. Today, Uzbek pchaks available in Russia are made in 90% from widely available industrial tool steel ШХ15 (Polish equivalent LH15) hardened in the range of 40-45 HRC. ШХ15 is used for the production of rings, rolling bearings and other elements requiring high hardness and abrasion resistance, operating in non-corrosive conditions. It is a great material for making knives, provided it is not resistant to corrosion – after use, the knife must be wiped dry. Pchaks have excellent cutting properties.

This pchak belongs to the typekajke –the tip of the blade is raised above the spine line. The golden pattern visible on the blade indicates that it is a slightly higher-quality product than the common factory mass production. This is the so-calledtamga– a symbol of a specific craftsman, the equivalent of a hallmark. The handle is made of hornkosuli(roe deer). The sheath, in a traditional form for knives from this region, is made of artificial leather with a plastic insert and decorative embossing. The blade has a dark gray shade typical of pchaks; this effect was once achieved by subjecting the blade to the action of clay with a special chemical composition. I can't say for sure if the same method is used today.

Total length: 285 mm

Blade length: 163 mm

Blade width (max.): 35 mm

Blade thickness (max.): 3 mm

Steel (according to Russian nomenclature): ШХ15