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Post by ckerler123 on Feb 25, 2018 4:55:55 GMT
Hey everyone, I was recently going on a montage checking out different knife and sword companies' websites and came across Kizlyar in Russia. I had already heard of their fixed blades and folding knives, however, when I was looking at their website I saw that they had several different types of swords available that they make, mainly Caucasian styles such as Shashkas and Kindjals. Apparently, they use a steel called GOST-50X14MF, which is supposed to have relatively high carbon (around 0.5%) , but also has stainless properties (contains 14% chromium). To me they're pretty expensive, however, I can somewhat understand the price if they've truly managed to combine the strength and toughness of high carbon steel along with the high corrosion resistance of stainless steels. I find it rare to come across really high quality versions of Cossack style swords and knives, so do you all think these options might possibly be worth the price or are they probably just a gimmick? Thank you for taking the time to answer. Link to the swords : kizlyarknifestore.com.au/index.php?main_page=index&cPath=118_13_39
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stormmaster
Member
I like viking/migration era swords
Posts: 7,649
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Post by stormmaster on Feb 25, 2018 5:08:01 GMT
0.5 carbon content is really not all that much, thats how much 1050 steel would have, considering the length of kindjals and shashkas are not really all that long the steel being as such should actually be ok and the stainless properties will help it resist rusting, never heard of this company tho so dont know their quality
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Post by ckerler123 on Feb 25, 2018 5:24:28 GMT
Yea I guess thats true about their blade lengths not being too large, so I guess the properties of 1050 should be sufficient plus it'll be a bonus that they won't rust very easily. I still have to justify in my mind though if I would pay 400-700$ for one of their swords, being that they aren't really that well known as a quality maker in the Sword Community, however their smaller knives seem to get decent reviews though. I guess I'll have to think more about it
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Post by randomnobody on Feb 25, 2018 12:30:29 GMT
Typical shashka are about the same length as a typical katana, some running the same length as various European sabers, so it's not like they're particularly small. Certainly not in the usual range where we normally like to think "stainless is okay" but that also depends on what kind of stainless.
Kizlyar does have a good reputation for their knives, but years ago when I found their shashka and kindjal, I couldn't find much info on them. I'm not even sure they still make them, or even whether they're exportable. I think I read Russia has laws against "cold steel" weapons etc leaving the country, but hunting knives and such are okay...
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Post by Curtis_Louis on Feb 25, 2018 13:51:42 GMT
CAS Iberia imports Kizlyar Supreme knives. Maybe you could contact them and ask about the swords? casiberia.com/category/fixed-blade-knives/6100I have three of their fixed blade knives. They are excellent quality, including the sheath. Something that is usually ignored in similar priced knives.
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Post by bebut on Feb 25, 2018 14:22:42 GMT
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Post by Bertek on Feb 28, 2018 23:35:26 GMT
I have a Kizlyar shashka. It is supposed to be made out of AUS 8 from Japan now, supposed to be hardened and tempered in a special process that the Soviets developed to make SS that took a good edge and was tough, the tang is supposed to be tempered more than the blade to take more shock. If you live in Russia the blade has a lifetime warranty, so I suppose they make every effort to get it right. I do notice they changed the blade design a few years back from hollow ground to a more conventional profile which only makes it sturdier.
The shashka I received was nice and straight with a good flexible saber temper and it takes a nice sharp edge (although I don't really like how the factory sharpened it, no big deal though). I have cut gourds and melons with it with no ill effects.
It has a distal taper and is geometrically and weight wise very close to Imperial Russian military shashkas, it seems to have more weight in the hilt, suppose this is because people like to twirl them around for fun and in competitions.
I like it well enough, if your interested in a shashka I would say get one if the price is right, just as nice as the Hanwei one, if not better. I got mine from Legion USA about a year or so ago, if I get a chance I will do a review someday.
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