Forging The Blade Of The Sakha / Yakut People In Siberia

One of the most unique blade designs, the Yakutian knife comes from the harsh region inhabited by the Sakha people. A concave fuller on one side of the blade and a convex surface on the other, this knife is sharpened by removing material on one side of the blade only. The edge geometry remains the same for the life of the blade.
Usually set in a birch burl handle, the Yakut knife had the ability to float, due in part to the lighter blade of this design.
It is unclear how this unique blade design originated, but the benefits are clear: a stronger, lighter blade, and one that might require less steel to make than comparable blades of other design.
Some believe the design mimics a knife made from a large animal bone, where splitting the bone in half lengthwise reveals a concave side and a convex side.
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#yakut #damascus #knife

[@OGfrenchy1986]

What a really cool knife! I love the fact that you do knives from history in certain cultures not a lot of people on KZbin doing that! Awesome content brother!

[@kimchi2780]

Really cool! I am part Turkic like the Yakut people. Nice to see some Turkic culture and history.

[@melgillham462]

First time i saw a yakut knife made it got me thinking why it would be made that way. It boiled down to actual ergonomic body mechanics. They use it for everything, gardening, game and meat. Field harvesting, crafting. It accentuates the wrist movement. Beautiful ladder pattern. I hadnt thought about the neolithic bone aspect. Very cool. Ive been playing with flint knapping.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching! Yes it's a knife born of utility

[@user-ou6jj8bx9f]

@@FireCreekForge The design of the Yakut blade is due to the living conditions of this people! Most of the time in Yakutia there are sub-zero temperatures! Moreover, 50 Celsius is a normal temperature. At such temperatures, meat and fish practically turn to stone. For this reason, these products are practically consumed in ice cream shavings (as you planed a piece of wood), plus the contact of the surface of the blade with what you are planing is reduced! Another secret of the Yakut blade is that it is intentionally not hardened much! This makes the blade more durable in severe frosts (-50-60 degrees Celsius, at such temperatures, blades with a temper of 56-58 units turn into brittle glass!), also this geometry and weak sharpening allows you to aim the blade on any stone or frozen wood stained with sand to working sharpness in just a few movements. Дизайн Якутского клинка обусловлено условием проживания этого народа! Большую часть времени в Якутии минусовые температуры! Причем - 50по Цельсию это нормальная температура. При таких температурах мясо и рыба практически превращаются в камень. По этой причине эти продукты практически употребляют в мороженом виде настроганными в стружку (как вы строгали деревяшку) плюс уменьшается контакт поверхности клинка с тем, что строгаете! Еще один секрет Якутского клинка в том, что его намеренно не сильно закаливают! Это делает клинок более прочным при сильных морозах (- 50-60 градусов по Цельсию при таких температурах клинки с закалкой 56-58 единиц превращаются в хрупкое стекло!) также эта геометрия и слабая заточка позволяет буквально за несколько движений навести лезвие на любом камне или замороженной деревяшке испачканной песком до рабочей остроты.

[@jd.prestage]

We appreciate you shielding us from the welding flash.

[@FireCreekForge]

You bet, thanks for watching

[@erikcourtney1834]

You won’t get your eyes burned threw camera I promise. 😉 actually takes more than a few seconds to get it in person. The closer you are the faster it happens though. I’ve had it many times, to many times in my career. I’m surprised I can still see quite well.

[@alfonsedente9679]

Ill call the waaaaaaambulance if anyone gets blinded

[@Little_River_Forge]

I literally catch myself commenting on how awesome it is to hear the technical side of the metallurgy and the technique used in your videos. Love it, thank you for sharing

[@thevideogameempire]

I think the antler actually suits it quite well.

[@user-pk2fg8im4u]

Wow, a very unique project with such impressive results. I am imagining the difficulty of trying to forge that shape with no modern tools to assist the process. You really nailed that blade, I am so impressed by how straight and even the edges came out on the concave side, absolutely perfect, and the damascus pattern and handle just complete it beautifully! Great commentary and craftsmanship! The history commentary was awesome, thanks Elijah!

[@bushcraft_in_the_north]

thi is so modern bladesmithing can be. Normally you have a hammer tongs and a file and use a coalforge. this is modern tools. and quite easy to do.

[@brysonalden5414]

As always, a skilled build and excellent commentary. Thanks for sharing your process.

[@JohnSmith-xi2oq]

I got started watching these forge channels about a year ago, fire creek makes some of the most gorgeous blades on you tube. One day I might be able to afford one of your works of art.

[@StrayWolfForge]

Very unique knife thanks for bringing it to light to those of us who hadn't heard of them and an awesome video.

[@nicholaseedy3244]

I really love when you do things like this. Keep working with the design and add it to the regular rotation.

[@stephenjohnson6841]

Wow! That is yet another gorgeous piece Elijah! I really enjoy the history and your breakdowns of your processes! Thank you once again for bringing us along!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you!

[@bigt3639]

My first attempt at a forged blade was an attempt at a Yakut. It was fun. I also ended up loosing most of the hammered fuller when I finished the blade up.

[@tommyphoenixrizen316]

great video and thanks for a little more background info too into its origin

[@Shooter11B]

First of all, WHAT A GORGEOUS BLADE! Well done. From my understanding of the design, these knives are primarily used to process meat. The design is intended to flat spiral out larger pieces of meat (like a roast) getting it thin enough for drying/preserving. They make left and right-hand versions of the knife depending on what side the fuller is on. I have a few of them and they really are effective tools for the task it was designed for.

[@brandynpetersen8017]

That's kinda like a Japanese knife. Bevel on one side, hollow ground on the other. I would definitely be proud to own it.

[@jjeckerm06]

Looks cool! Can’t wait to see how it develops!

[@brothermaleuspraetor9505]

Absolutely love the advice and technical/practical information - I can learn a LOT from this format. Narrating over an edited video seems to be working really well here. This works really well for me, I can really chill out and soak up knowledge this way. I'm o much a visual learner, combined with text/speech. Any component of learning on its own, I just don't learn very well. But if I can see as well as hear/read then that works great for me, as you have done here. Excellent, thanks very much for this :)

[@veteranironoutdoors8320]

Dunno if its been said yet, but you made a left handed blade. Thats why it’s cutting funny when you were using it as a right hander. The flat of the blade on a single bevel blade faces your body, gives you much more control of the cut.

[@FireCreekForge]

I understand what you're saying but it's the opposite of that.

[@BCVS777]

That seems right to me too but I watched a video of a Yakutia blade show and they were all shaped with the flat side facing away.

[@thomasfarley5070]

spectacular blade! It is amazing that people living in Siberia developed such advanced metallurgy!

[@iridios6127]

No, they not.

[@terryhambleton7717]

That’s a beautiful knife. Craftsmanship at its best!

[@darrenpautzke3795]

That is one of the better knives I’ve seen. I really like the pattern and look of the piece. Thanks

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you

[@muellermade]

It always makes me happy to see you're getting use out of the swage block! I can't believe how you man handled it, it scared me when I had to move it around lol

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks man! Haha yeah, it's kinda heavy!

[@lairdcummings9092]

I know, right? I've always used a chainfall to assist moving a swage block like that - you had me skeered for your fingers!

[@douglaswalker8867]

Thank you!

[@danieldurkton2942]

Sweet!!! Looks Great… Enjoy your Sunday…..

[@lightsnsiren79]

Very cool knife! Love the background info.

[@Truth-Virtue-LVX]

That's actually a very good design.

[@markharris3785]

That was great so much history and info thanks!

[@davidjohns4223]

Very cool! You do beautiful work!

[@martinbisschoff988]

Respect. Nothing better to see passion in action, with hard patient work. Well done!!!!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you sir!

[@lukebatista6471]

10:53 Ive seen some makers very recently using a tungsten peening hammer to correct slight warps after heat treat with great success. Obviously with more excessive warping it doesnt work as well as the vise and elbow grease but for more minor stuff it seems to be a pretty effective solution.

[@lornacy]

Fascinating and lovely. So Damascus is primarily a cosmetic choice? Blacksmiths get respect as valued craftsmen - and also because they're insanely strong and they have all the sharp things 😄

[@bramvader8401]

It is a cool knife too look at, always interesting to see the interpretation of an artisan when he has to go just a bit out of his comfort zone. 👍

[@kennethwatson4489]

I really enjoyed this one. Turned out really nice. I can tell you I REALLY appreciate going on the quests for knowledge with you. Be blessed

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for coming along!

[@scottwigham]

What a unique blade geometry, have never seen anything like it. I would have to make a left and right handed version if it were me.

[@shepardsforgeh2031]

Dude this is a cool build man I dig it alot!

[@MASI_forging]

I always enjoy seeing and watching 😊😊

[@ryanblystone5153]

Thank you

[@caribooskidoo3997]

Very nice! One of the nicest Yakut knives I've ever seen. I won't be doing pattern welded, but I can't wait to make some of these. I love the design.

[@dadsrock4252]

I am from North IDAHO .I love you work brother .

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you sir! stay warm!

[@lowbudgetbob1155]

I've never seen a knife like that before, different and pretty cool.

[@jon89tsupra]

Thank you for using the correct term of "pattern-welded"

[@bulldozer7656]

Dude, your awesome in building this knife..

[@user-rf9ib3sn3k]

Хорошая работа, очень замечательно что затронули тему этнических ножей , жду следующих серий. Википедия не всегда доставерно отражает историю. 😊

[@Mike-kr9ys]

Beautiful knife!

[@Mshannon75]

Beautiful Yakut!

[@stevesyncox9893]

Nice job man.

[@6Sally5]

What a very interesting design and you did a beautiful job…as per usual!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for watching!

[@andyc750]

interesting blades, I have made 3-4 or them, the original survival knife and they are the only knife I can think of with right and left handed versions, also if you cut the opposite way it acts more like a chisel and you can also drill with the tip better than with a conventional blade, get them right and they are razor sharp and leave a really good finish on carved wood with a bit of practice, also they are the oldest blade design still in regular production I believe

[@joshuatempleton9556]

from what i understand the yakut blades were originally bone and when metal became available they simply copied the bone version. i also see versions with a chisel grind which is good for scraping.

[@sprbkmike1]

There are "face's" on both sides of the blade if you look for them...very cool!👍

[@TalRohan]

this one looks fantastic, how would having a longer diameter mke the edge finer or would you end up having to hone both sides of the edge? I have a damascus knife that definitely has the saw edge effect, but it has a larger pattern making it obvious why the blade behaves that way and until recently was a little too steep to cut as effectively as it should do. I reground the geometry and its now an excellent working blade

[@patrickclark6261]

very informative video!

[@3870TheDad]

Gorgeous knife!!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you!

[@lorneclose7312]

80crv2 would usually quench in AAA oil and 15N20 in parks 50, 80crv2 still performs well when quenched in parks 50. Nice blade and very unique

[@DavidEricWilliams]

That is cool. Very interesting knife, slice of culture and history (pun intended). Great build and great video!

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks, glad you enjoyed it!

[@HDBrown-wc9xt]

Awesome blade.

[@maverick4462]

Natural progression of a bone knife. Got steel, blade pattern they knew, no need to fix what aint broke. Okay you got to it my bad.

[@azuanatoya]

i use old tripod to help myself pour borax on heavy billet 2:30 , less strain on my wrist and avoid workplace injury.

[@louislarose6613]

Very Cool Result ! From the videos and pictures from that part of the world ,it seems like the groove does go all the way to the handle. Keeping in mind that these keep the same basic shape from when the culture did use bone knives ,it is not too much of a stretch to think that their thinking was ," If the shape of the bone worked well, then there is no need to change shape." In other words ,"If it ain't broke don't fix it . " on another note the handles were made of wood or stacked birch bark. Any other materiel would freeze to the hand in the sub zero temperatures of the area.

[@allennusser2843]

Excellent purpose built tool/weapon

[@davidhakes3884]

Good Job, I'm doing some from D2 planer blades and some in 15N20

[@randylippert6416]

Hit that out of the park!!👍

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you sir

[@lukelofgren4108]

Awesome video as always! The yakut has been my favorite knife style for a few years now. I actually am making a matched set right now from 8670/80crv2/8670 san mai. Keep up the good work! I sent my boss Mark A your way to get a custom knife made. I told him you are the best with 52100 fixed blades

[@FireCreekForge]

Sounds like a neat project! Thanks man that's awesome!

[@doganb34]

Thanks for the great video, just to add a bit of extra knowledge for you, the Yakhut and Sakha people talk a dialect of Turkish. They are one of many of the central Asian Turkic tribes

[@ronnydowdy7432]

❤ Pretty looking knife and functional ❤

[@dougadams9419]

You can enhance the pattern by etching the steel in concentrated hot instant coffee (NO DECAF!) after the Ferric Chloride etch.

[@mattnobrega6621]

Nice blade a concept

[@BCVS777]

Very nice! I just forged one and I wasn’t sure which way to put the concave side. I finally did it the same way you and others have done it. I may build one opposite for comparison of function.

[@FireCreekForge]

Yep, they are a right/left hand feature. This one is right handed.

[@BCVS777]

@@FireCreekForge. After using my Yakut knife quite a bit I see why the convex side of the blade faces In for a right handed person. I am very impressed with the blade design for woodworking and camp chores!😊

[@greghelms4458]

Very nice work.

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you!

[@brianlucas7604]

Good video

[@rvsbladesnthangs]

Really cool knife

[@FireCreekForge]

Thank you sir

[@alz44]

beautiful 👍

[@samuelsiedschlag4486]

Nice!

[@doanldroop5267]

Very nice

[@MVarol]

I love Yakut Turks knife. That really just made for being useful. Fact about knife, on the end of handle you should make same "egg design". That's mean handle's end should more round. And second, that knife should not dip in the water bcs all that shape. Love your works and explaining videos. Good knife, like every time.

[@darrell3391]

According to SurvivalRussia the reason for the shape of the Yakut knife is conservation of steel. Less was required to produce it. He has a channel, bushcraft/winter survival etc.

[@alfonsedente9679]

There should deff be a right and left handed model

[@FireCreekForge]

Yep there are right and left hand versions

[@TarotLadyLissa]

I bet having to cut frozen meat would require a more robust knife. Yakut is such a fascinating place and culture. I’m indigenous American and I love your curiosity about indigenous culture.

[@stefanograndi961]

Beautiful blade, looks a lot like a Sami knife; who in fact live at the same latitudes as the Yakut. Is there perhaps a connection between the shape and size of the blades and the latitude where they are designed? I think so.

[@unstoppableman5273]

That turned out real nice. The Yakutia knives I’ve held, were a bit shorter than that though. Probably only half to 2/3’s the length.

[@FireCreekForge]

Yes, this knife at 6" in is the upper range. Most are closer to 4" or 5" as I understand it.

[@jolujo5842]

Nice left handed knife. 👍

[@FireCreekForge]

The fuller is on the right, it's right handed

[@lairdcummings9092]

Extremely sexy blade. You've got reason to be proud.

[@jamesblakely6279]

I have some plainer knives from my work. Would be cool to see if you could forge them

[@halfdanlothbrock8587]

Where do brought find bandsaw blade like that been looking for some for quite awhile no sawmills around me

[@thaddeusplekker7890]

How many tonnes is your Press? And what burners are you using? I can't get my forge up to forge welding temps currently

[@erikcourtney1834]

Do you make new ferric solution for every blade or very often? I’ve noticed a lot of KZbin makers mix up a new solution for every blade that’s videoed. I’ve been using the same batch for a year. Grated I don’t make blades full time but I’ve etched quiet a few in a year. And haven’t really noticed a difference in etch quality.

[@FireCreekForge]

No, I do multiple (4-6 +..?) blades per batch. Of course it all depends on the volume of the solution, how big the blades are, etc.

[@CrimeVid]

I have some memory of a Yakut man making one of these, As I understood it the blades were honed on the convex side, not the hollow, could that be right ?

[@bhutjolokia6990]

Cool knife!! Wonder if they would make it opposite for a left handed person.🤔 Awesome video!!👍😎👻🌶️

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks!! Yes there are left-handed versions.

[@All_Gnatty]

I read the title as building a Yakult knife at first

[@kzarnold3678]

Interesting stuff 🤔

[@dlighted8861]

It would have been better if you showed the knife at the beginning. If you had I may have stayed to the end. 🤗😉🤗

[@FireCreekForge]

Thanks for the input!

[@MrVindler]

That seems similar to a pukko in some respects.

[@theoneandonlyreddog]

You're in west Texas??? I live in west Texas.

[@owais146]

SPLENDID

[@hulkthedane7542]

Do you know, if the Yakuts made left hand versions as well? The split bone precursor (if that theory holds) automatically made one of each, but did they forge the opposite ones to what you made? I googled the knife and all the pictures I found, were like yours. 👍👍💪👍👍

[@FireCreekForge]

Yes sir, there are left-handed versions. They are less common as you might imagine. In either case the fuller is away from your body as you're using the knife edge down.

[@cptmurica1187]

I'd imagine that blade works better for a left handed user.

[@FireCreekForge]

It's actually a right hand version, left handed is opposite.

[@ghostdog662]

That is one sexy knife. Outstanding

[@Voicesofjake]

Austin? As in Austin Hensley from Hensley Handmade Knives?? Also a good buddy of mine! (if that's the case haha)

[@Voicesofjake]

Such a great knife though!! Very well done. Looks awesome.

[@FireCreekForge]

Austin from Mountain Man Steel in Idaho

[@FireCreekForge]

@@Voicesofjake thanks I appreciate it!

[@Voicesofjake]

@@FireCreekForgeOh right on! Yeah, "my" Austin is down in NM.

[@christinescalise6075]

Does it matter which side of the blade is concave/fullered ? Left handed vs. right handed ?

[@FireCreekForge]

Yes. This one is right handed.

[@christinescalise6075]

Makes sense