Konya’s Knife Tradition: From Past to Present

Konya played a vital role in metalworking and knife production during the Seljuk and Ottoman periods. Even during the Republican era, the bazaars in Konya continued to produce a variety of knives, including shearing, tying, cooking, and pocketknives, preserving the city's long-standing tradition of expert craftsmanship.

The first knives were made from stone during the Paleolithic period. During the Bronze Age, knives began to be crafted from bronze, and over time, the production of cutting and piercing weapons such as swords and daggers emerged.

Metallurgical arts flourished in Turkish history during the reigns of the Göktürks (552-743) and the Uyghurs (744-1368). Depictions of wedges and swords can be found on Göktürk balbals, while Uyghur frescoes also feature swords. These images of wedges and swords symbolized heroism and authority. During the Seljuk and Ottoman periods, the manufacture of knives and swords became a prominent art form.

The knife holds a special place in our society as both a weapon and an everyday object. Old knives and weapons are carefully preserved and displayed as treasured heirlooms. Travelers who visited Anatolia often commented on the distinctive clothing of the Turks, as well as the knives and swords they wore.

The tips of the household knives commonly used in Konya are not sharp. These knives are used for tasks such as slaughtering sheep, after which they are washed and reused at home. In addition to household knives, other items such as slaughterhouse knives, butcher knives, carpet scissors, and carpet weaving combs (kirkit) are also produced.