Water knife (also known as a mocotaugan) is a knife for processing fish and performing general cutting tasks. It has a curved blade and an egg-shaped handle made of birch burl. The knife is sheathed on the left side and can be withdrawn quickly with the right hand. It can be used while wearing gloves.

Handle

The handle of the knife is usually made from a material that can withstand moisture, and it may be textured to enhance gripping. Many knife handles are also molded to accommodate special needs such as those of people with arthritis in their hands or palmar hyperhidrosis.

Traditionally, the Yakut knife handle is made of birch burl and is thick and egg-shaped in cross section so that it fits the hand comfortably. It is also designed to protect the hand from the cold effects of the steel when used in Siberia’s winter. The handle is topped with a ferrule or collar which is typically made of water buffalo horn. Another popular handle material is micarta, which is a fibrous composite cast in resin and is often dyed to create unique colors and textures. Pakka wood is also common for yakut knife handles, and it has the advantage of being durable, moisture resistant, and easy to grip.

Blade

The blade of the Yakutian knife is typically asymmetrical. One side has a fuller (a groove in the blade) and a chisel grind while the other side has no such feature. Generally, the blades of these knives are quite long and have a trailing or slightly up-swept point. This makes them good for wood carving and whittling. They can also be used to cut meat or fish.

The blade is usually locked in the closed position using a lock back mechanism. In this system, a stop pin on the top of the blade engages with a hook on the tang to prevent it from rotating clockwise. Excessive stress can shear the hook or the stop pin and render the knife useless. To avoid this, a knife user should not apply excessive pressure when using the knife. They should also be careful not to store their knives in damp environments, as this can weaken the steel composition.

Sheath

The sheath of a Yakutian knife is made from wood and leather. It is easy to make and requires only a few basic tools. The wood can be shaped using a simple chisel and some basic woodworking techniques. You can also use a woodworking template to mark the shape. After marking the wood block, sand it to 600 grit and then rub it down with some leather wax.

The handle of the knife is made from birch burl and is thick and egg-shaped in cross-section, which makes it comfortable to hold and can be used with gloves. It was traditionally designed to protect the hand from the cold steel of the knife in extreme conditions, which is a common occurrence in Siberia during winter months. This knife features a blade of wild damascus with approximately 160 layers and a handle of patinated reindeer antler and leather. It is a full-tang knife and has a length of 14 cm.

Weight

Typically forged from locally sourced iron ore smelted by Yakutian blacksmiths, these knives are very lightweight. The handle is a thick birch burl, oval in cross-section and fits the hand very well. It’s glued with epoxy and has two small wedges on the sides, making it very secure. The blade is asymmetrical, with one side having a fuller and a chisel grind, and the other without any of these features and having a convex edge. The knife planes, shaves, and splits very well. It even carved a couple of owls with ease, and the edge is still pristine after three months of use. The sheath is a piece of bark tanned leather, and the belt loop can be fastened by means of a leather strip. The entire knife weighs less than one pound, and it is a great choice for general bushcrafting, wood carving, or for cutting tasks around camp. It also can be used for processing meat or fish.

Conclusion

A Yakutian knife is one of the most recognizable objects of Yakut culture. It has a stick-tang blade, typically with a chisel grind and fuller, or groove on one side. It is usually used for fishing and performing general cutting tasks, including processing fish and wood.