Art in Konya Past to Present

The first knives were constructed of stone during the Paleolithic period. Knives began to be made of bronze during the Bronze Age, and as they evolved, the creation of cutting and piercing weapons such as swords and daggers began.

Metallurgical arts flourished in Turkish history during the reigns of the Göktürks (552-743) and the Uyghurs (744-1368). There are depictions of wedges and swords on Göktürk balbals. Swords can also be found in Uyghur frescoes. Wedge and sword images were employed to represent heroism and authority. During the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, knife and sword manufacture was a significant field of art.

The knife is revered as both a weapon and a daily object in our society. Old knives and weapons are preserved and displayed as heirlooms. Travelers who visited Anatolia commented on the Turks' clothing, as well as the knives and swords they wore.

During the Seljuk and Ottoman eras, Konya was an important metalworking and knife production hub. Knives were still manufactured at Konya bazaar knife shops throughout the Republican Period. Shearing knives, tying knives, cooking knives, and pocketknives (knives) were manufactured.

Knifesmithing Tools:

Furnace- Air blower: They are used for shaping the parts used in crafting knives through  forging and water submersion.

Anvil: It is a tool used to cut steel plates according to the size of the parts.

Metal Cutter: It is a tool used to cut steel plates according to the size of the knives.

Clamp: It is a tool that holds the knife steady and allows it to be processed.

Grindstone: It is used for grinding the surfaces of knives. It is a special stone with a cylindrical cross-section rotated by a lever. Today's masters use motor, emery stone-felt as well as grindstone.

The hand tools used in knifesmithing are hammer (hand hammer, mallet), chisels, clamp, tongs, router (grooving tool), daldız (grooved iron tool for carving the sheath), dipçik, pervaz, elma and horn, molding tools, writing implement, veneer pliers, punch tool and base, soldering iron, file, saw and different knives.

Knifesmithing Stages:

Steels from Karabük Iron and Steel Factory are used:

It is made of a steel plate cut to the proper size and form.

Draft knife form by heating and forging in a wind bellowed fire.

When the steel material turns dark red color, submerging the steel into water determines the quality of the knife. There is a master saying, "It is the character of woman and the watering of the knife to be loved". It is grinded and polished. Handles made of goat or water buffalo horn, or apricot, walnut, boxwood wood are attached. Finally, the edge of the knife is sharpened and made ready for use.

The tips of the household knives commonly used in Konya are not sharp. A sheep is slaughtered with a knife. The knife is washed, used at home. In addition to household knives, slaughterhouse, butcher, carpet scissors, carpet weaving comb (kirkit) are also produced.