Homemade pchak. Uzbek handmade knife: photo. Uzbek knife - pchak

[: RU] Pchak or Pechak (Uzbek. Pichoq - "knife") - the national knife of the Central Asian peoples - Uzbeks and Uighurs. Traditionally it has a straight wide blade made of wedge-shaped cross-section with one side sharpening, sometimes with a narrow fuller along the butt. A thin round handle is attached at the level of the butt, slightly widens towards the head, sometimes ends in a beak-shaped pommel. It can be made of horn, bone or wood, and also inlaid from colored stone. Pchak is worn in a wide straight leather sheath. Distributed throughout Central Asia with slight differences in ornament and proportions.

In Uzbekistan, they are made mainly in the eastern and central parts of the country - in Khiva there were no longer such knives, only imported ones. In Bukhara, in the very center of the city, there are several workshops where pchaks are made, but the prices here are somehow exorbitant, apparently calculated for tourists who come for the day.

Workshop tools

The main blank for the knife is a car valve, but it is also made from some kind of cheap stainless steel, but it is carbon steel knives that are most valued. There is better steel, there is Damascus, but the prices for such knives are appropriate.

After forging, the knives are made of fiberglass, plexiglass, metal, horn, bone, and then roughly sharpened on a grinding wheel

After polishing, they are often painted or written on.

I still don't understand why the knife is covered with a thin layer of hot paraffin (?)

They let him cool down

Apparently in order to then draw a sketch with a special brush, which in the future will be a drawing or inscription

The final sharpening is done on such a grindstone.

What is an Uzbek knife? This question may be of interest to many people. Of course, it is not customary to give a knife, but sometimes you can give up superstitions or buy it for yourself. After all, this is not just an ordinary thing. An Uzbek knife is a chic piece of furniture that can simultaneously perform many standard kitchen work. The most important thing is to figure out which one you need. The prices and materials of such products differ markedly.

Uzbek knife: features of the handle

What should you pay attention to when choosing a particular model? The Uzbek knife is distinguished primarily by its handle and various bases for attaching the blades. Craftsmen spend a lot of time and effort on making such things. Therefore, you most likely will not see a handle made of plexiglass or plastic. A real Uzbek knife will be made the way the master of his craft sees it. That is, its handle will be made of the horns of a saiga, goat or gazelle.

They are decorated with intricate carvings and various paints. The more work is done on the handle, the more expensive the knife will naturally be.

The blades are different too

There are differences in some more details. Uzbek knives have slightly different blades: small, medium-sized and wide. Again, everything depends on what they are intended for.

Universal working knives, for example, suitable for slicing bread, cakes, etc. Massive large models with a wide oblong blade are ideal for shredding vegetables. For example, it is very convenient to cut cabbage with such a knife. Their powerful weight makes this procedure a pleasure.

Knives with a long, narrow blade are suitable for filing fish or for separating meat from bones. Well, small models are good for those works that require special subtlety. With such a knife, for example, it is convenient to cut stars from carrots, baskets from tomatoes, etc. However, it is also great for slicing cheese or sausages.

A few more nuances

In general, the Uzbek kitchen knife (pchak) is a rather peculiar model. It is very easy to recognize him. The blade is usually forged from carbon steel. Although very often there are also stainless steel beetles. However, no matter what steel the blade is forged, the main thing is not from a single piece. In this case, it would simply break in the neck area, for example, in a fall. To avoid such problems, special shanks made of stronger steel are welded near the handle.

The length of the blade is most often from 16 to 22 centimeters. The thickness of the handle is about 5 millimeters. At the same time, it decreases towards the tip. The blade in section also tapers towards the blade from the butt. Its width can be up to 5 centimeters. Thus, the geometry of the knife is very good. Therefore, it is quite convenient for them to cut food.

As a rule, a scabbard is also attached to the pchak. Usually they are made of leatherette, add cardboard inserts, decorate with applique or beads. However, there are also more expensive options. Sometimes the scabbard is made of leather, decorated with thick lace braiding or embossing. They are attached to expensive bees. Metal and combined scabbards are less common. In general, the choice is quite wide.

Advantages and disadvantages of Uzbek knives

Let's also consider the pros and cons of the modern

Firstly, Uzbek knives are distinguished by incredible energy and beauty. Secondly, you do not need to sharpen them constantly, since they retain their functionality for a long time. The main thing is to use a round leg of a faience bowl for this.

As for the disadvantages: if you do not know how to sharpen knives on this equipment, you can simply ruin them. Even at specialized points in various Uzbek bazaars, you need to find real professionals. Otherwise the knives will be sharpened to zero.

Moreover, these knives do not like hot water... They should not be left wet when lying down. The surface may rust. Be sure to wipe the knives dry - in this case, there will be no problems. In short, you just need to know how to handle these things.

How to buy

So let's say you decide to purchase one of the above models. How to buy Uzbek pchak in no case can you purchase by asking for help from a variety of delivery services, choosing a product in any catalog. It is imperative to hold it in your hands in order to understand that this is exactly what you need.

There may be many seemingly identical knives of the shape you need in front of you. However, in reality they are completely different. They are similar only in appearance. Since they are made by hand, you need to be very careful when choosing - hold several models in turn. You should feel the movement of the blade, feel exactly how the handle will lie down. You need to find "your" knife. With him, hand movements will become confident, that is, it will be very easy to work with him. In general, getting the right model is not at all difficult. You just need to spend a little of your time on this. And as a result, you will get a wonderful helper in your kitchen!

Each nation, depending on the characteristic geographical, climatic and socio-cultural conditions of life, adopted and received the greatest use of its own type of knife, which has distinctive features from similar tools of other nations. These include national uzbek knife "pchak"... Appearing, according to various sources, among the Central Asian peoples at the turn of the 14-15th centuries, to this day, it has retained its shape almost unchanged.

General description of the Uzbek knife "pchak"

The name of the product comes from the Uzbek word "pechak", which means "knife" directly. Pchak knives distributed throughout Central Asia with minor differences in proportions and finishes. Their characteristic features are a wide straight blade with one-sided sharpening and a thin (already the blade) handle, which is attached flush with the butt.

The knife blade can be up to 50 mm wide. Its length is usually 16-22 cm. The section of the metal part is wedge-shaped, tapering from the butt to the blade. From the handle to the tip, the thickness of the knife gradually decreases: from 4-5 mm to zero. The slopes are most often straight, less often convex or concave. This geometry provides the product with excellent cutting properties.

Traditionally, carbon steel is used to make the blade. As a result of bluing with iron vitriol, ferric chloride, or local types of clay, the metal surface acquires a specific dark color with a bluish or yellowish tint. Often, blades are hardened, decorated with engraving or embossed stamps. It does uzbek knife not only a necessary element of everyday life, but also distinguishes it as an object that characterizes the culture and life of an entire people.

The history of the spread of knives "pchak" since the times of the USSR

During the Soviet Union uzbek knives pchak could be found in the European part of the country in single copies, brought as souvenirs from tourist trips or expeditions in Central Asia. The most widespread were the products of the only knife factory in Uzbekistan in the city of Chust. Today pchak knives are made in semi-handicraft industries. Most of them are produced by the masters of the city of Shakhrikhan of the Andijan region. There is a whole craft district where dynasties of blacksmiths and cutters work.

Regular deliveries national uzbek knives to Russia began to occur by the end of the 90s of the last century. Now it is possible to purchase them in retail trade: in specialized stores and shops of oriental culinary. At the same time, specialized online stores, guided by the increased demand, began to offer for sale pchak knives: their Photo have replenished many electronic catalogs. Nowadays, not factory stamped products are in special demand, but products of specific craftsmen. Works of authorship are marked with engraved emblems of the manufacturer do-it-yourself knife, depicting stars and a crescent moon in Islamic traditions.

Popular types of knives "pchak": Sharkhon and Old Bukhara

On practice uzbek knife pchak intended for household needs: cutting meat products, cleaning and cutting vegetables. Depending on the type of operations performed, knives are used of various shapes... Therefore, for completeness of the collection, it makes sense to purchase the main types of uzbek knives the most common forms:

kayke - with the edge of the blade raised up;
tugri - with a straight blade and an even butt;
kushkamalak - with a double fuller along the butt.

The most versatile in use are samples with a blade length over 14 cm. Such models are called "sharhon". It is very convenient for them to make professional cutting of various products: without knocking on a cutting board, but in a push-pull manner, as on video culinary forums.

Along with the most popular Chust and the most widespread Andijan (Shakhrikhan) bees, one can find varieties called "Old Bukhara" in Internet catalogs. Their characteristic feature is an arcuate curved blade, evenly tapering to the point. Their second frequently used name is "Afghan women".

National traditions of decorating "pchaka" gift samples

For souvenirs and collectibles, it is preferable to choose from piece items from renowned craftsmen. Everyone is like that pchak knife, Photo which can be seen on thematic sites and forums, acts as a masterpiece of a particular master. At the same time, individually made knives go through all the necessary stages of hardening and sharpening, allowing them to be used in practice.

In addition to providing practical functions, the gift items are finished in best traditions oriental flavor. To a large extent, this refers to the decoration of the handle, which has uzbek knives rather narrow in section, with a characteristic beak-like bend at the end. Valuable specimens are made from various types of wood, ungulate horns or metal. Often they are encrusted with mother-of-pearl or semi-precious stones.

Knife sharpening and maintenance rules

The master sharpens during the manufacture do-it-yourself Uzbek knife pchak on a corundum wheel. The end of the sharpening is determined by the tonality of the sound that makes pchak knife, a video the network can demonstrate this clearly. To correct the sharpness of the blade from time to time, you can simply on the bottom of the ceramic plate.

Corroded, blade metal requires careful handling. Do not leave the knives wet after use. They should be stored suspended or on a stand and wiped dry.

Talking about Uzbekistan, I cannot but tell about the Uzbek national knife - pchak. Pchak or pechak (Uzbek. Pichoq - "knife") is the national knife of the Central Asian peoples - Uzbeks and Uighurs. Traditionally it has a straight wide blade made of wedge-shaped cross-section with one side sharpening, sometimes with a narrow fuller along the butt. A thin round handle is attached at the level of the butt, slightly widens towards the head, sometimes ends in a beak-shaped pommel. It can be made of horn, bone or wood, and also inlaid from colored stone. Pchak is worn in a wide, straight leather sheath. Distributed throughout Central Asia with slight differences in ornament and proportions.

In Uzbekistan, they are made mainly in the eastern and central parts of the country - in Khiva there were no longer such knives, only imported ones. In Bukhara, in the very center of the city, there are several workshops in which pchaks are made, but the prices here are somehow exorbitant, apparently calculated for tourists who come for the day.

Workshop tools

After forging, the knives are made of fiberglass, plexiglass, metal, horn, bone, and then roughly sharpened on a grinding wheel

After polishing, they are often painted or written on.

I still don't understand why the knife is covered with a thin layer of hot paraffin (?)

They let him cool down

Apparently in order to then draw a sketch with a special brush, which in the future will be a drawing or inscription

The final sharpening is done on such a grindstone.

Sometimes, at the request of the client, a dedication is applied

Workshop

Well, the knives themselves

I bought myself this one in Tashkent at the market - an excellent knife on the farm! Sharpening on the fork

An article for the Darakchi weekly.

The news that the famous master from Shakhrikhan, Khairullo Abdurakhimov, is exhibiting his works in Tashkent, quickly spread around all fans of the art of creating Uzbek national knives. Even those who were not going to buy a new knife went just to admire the steel blades of the great master. We also met with the master in order to tell you about the choice of the Uzbek pichak.

Pichak is our everything

Pichaki, Uzbek knives self made have long become a national brand known all over the world. For the inhabitants of Uzbekistan, since ancient times, pichak was more than just a working tool or weapon. Pichak is a sacred gift, great value and powerful amulet. The largest centers of handicraft still operate in Shakhrikhan, Chust, Bukhara, Tashkent and Samarkand.

Is it possible to buy a good pichak in Tashkent?

Of course you can. For example, at the Chorsu or Alayskiy bazaars. However, it is worth considering that behind the counter in the bazaar is not a master, but at best one who simply understands the skill of creating an Uzbek knife. The master has no time to engage in sales, he works tirelessly in the workshop, but he hands over finished products to dealers for sale. Taking into account the interest of the latter, prices for national knives 20-30 percent higher than directly from the pichokchi master or in traditional centers of hand-made knives.

The best way to buy a pichak is to purchase it from the hands of the master himself, at exhibitions-fairs, which are held weekly in various halls of Tashkent.

Hand to hand

When you go to choose a knife from a good master, then you have more than just a purchase. Ahead of you is a creative meeting with questions and answers, stories, legends and a unique master class on choosing a knife. This meeting delivers great joy both to the master and to you. The master is pleased to see admiration in your eyes, he wants to tell you about his works. You are becoming richer for the whole world. You discover this wonderful world Uzbek knives, one of which will surely find a place of honor in your home.

When choosing a pichak, you need to remember that no one will tell you about the properties of a knife as much as the person who created it. Therefore, when meeting with a master, sorting out knives on his counter, be sure to ask questions in detail about each pichak. The master will be happy to tell you everything.

Ask, ask!

We go with you to the master Khairullo to learn how to choose the right Uzbek pichak. There are dozens of luxurious knives on the counter. Different sizes, different shapes, different metal of shiny blades, different handles. How to find your way?

For starters, just consider. Take in turn each knife on which your gaze stops. Ask the master questions:

What is the name of such a pichak?

What is the name of the blade shape?

What metal are the blades made of? How are blades made of different metals different from each other?

What is the handle made of?

What is the gulband made of? (the junction of the blade and handle)

What do the patterns on the handle mean?

How to take care of your knife? How to sharpen it?

You will be amazed at the master's story. You will learn that knives have characters and names. And these names are many: osh pichak, kassob pichak, chust pichak, arabcha pichak, sherkhan pichak, bola pichak, Kazakh pichak ...

After you plunge into this many-sided world of Uzbek knives for the first time, start choosing your pichak. To do this, tell the master in detail what you need a knife for. For work in the kitchen: as a main working knife, or a knife for meat, a knife for fruit, a knife for shredding. Or maybe you need a knife in order to take it on hikes, or to make a gift to a friend? Or maybe the gift is intended for a foreign guest? Then check if your guest is a knife connoisseur, collector, or just a lover of oriental exoticism.

From this moment you need to trust the master. He will lay out several knives in front of you according to your requirements. Take each in your hands again, and again ask questions about each. Do you think this will end your knife selection process? No no! The most important thing follows next ...

Find "your" pichak out of ten identical ones!

A young man stands in front of the counter of Master Khairullo and chooses a working knife for the kitchen - osh pichak. The master has already laid out in front of him 10 identical-looking pichaks with white bone handles. With the approval of the master, we offer the young man our help in choosing. The young man happily agrees.

Take anyone? They are the same? he asks

They are different

But do they look the same?

They look the same. But you understand, this is not factory stamping, these knives were made by hand. They only seem to be the same, in fact they are different.

How then to choose? Where to look? - the young man is perplexedly fingering the knives

You don't need to look. You need to feel. Experts say that the Uzbek pichak is an animated thing, and he chooses his master himself. Therefore, you now have a special task - to "hear" your knife.

The young man looks at us in disbelief. But we continue to instruct.

Take the knives in your hands, one by one. Squeeze the handle. Swing your hand, feel the movement of the blade, feel how the handle lies in your hand. You will feel "your" knife immediately. He will respond to you. We do not know how he will do it. Will respond definitely and strongly. Maybe it will be like a push or the handle will instantly heat up in your hand.

The young man picks up knife after knife. Master Hyrule smiles as he watches us. He watches the expression on the young man's face. He appreciated our way of choosing.

Here the young man froze with another knife in his hand. The movements of his hand became more confident, he seemed to be listening to something.

"Aha! He found him!" - we rejoice

But the young man puts down the knife and takes on the next one. That's right, you need to make sure! Moreover, he chooses a man-made knife for the first time in his life.

We follow him through the knives, completely confusing them. But we remember where THE MOST knife went.

The young man, having gone through all the knives, begins the search all over again.

Not him ... Not him ... - he mutters, putting knife after knife.

This! Exactly this one! - exclaims the guy, reaching the very knife marked by us. That means he responded, that means he felt and understood.

You see, we said that he would certainly respond! - we are happy for the young man. - Now be sure to ask Master Khayrullo about what kind of metal it is, bone, how to care for a knife and how to sharpen it.

On the question of sharpening Uzbek knives.

Watch any Uzbek oshpoz. Before starting work, he automatically makes several movements of the knife along the bottom of the bowl or box, threading the blade. This process is akin to meditation or tuning a musical instrument. It's like you are tuning in with your pichak to the same frequency and resonating. The fact is that inexpensive knives need to be refueled constantly. Their steel is such that once properly sharpened, it requires periodic refueling.

For good pichaks, it is enough to take them to the grinder once every one or two years. However, a knowledgeable sharpener is needed here, because sharpening handmade knives is different from sharpening factory kitchen knives. And inept actions can destroy an excellent blade.