Review: Caucasian Shashka by VT Daggers
Jul 25, 2020 21:24:48 GMT
Post by Deleted on Jul 25, 2020 21:24:48 GMT
VT Daggers website: vtdaggers.com/
VT Daggers is a father/son business operated by David Tolordava out of Tbilisi, Georgia. David's father, Vakhtang, creates each object entirely by hand using the same methods as his ancestors. Overall, my experience with this shop is very positive. David is highly receptive to comments and inquiries, he speaks English fluently, and he is obviously proud of his father's work and his heritage as a Georgian. I hesitated in writing a review of the above-mentioned sword because I wanted to educate myself about the history of this sword type. So if you'll indulge me, I have quite a bit of historical research to share. I will preface my findings below by pointing out that most of my sources were English translations. Most of the written sources are Russian, but for reasons below these sources are problematic. The best evidence comes from archaeological findings, though they are scarce. The rest is contained in oral histories, which are fine, but they have their own problems. If you would like me to share my sources, please don't hesitate to message me.
Background
Shashka is not a Russian word. Shashka is a word from the Adyghe language, spoken by the Circassian people of the Caucasus. The Circassians are the historical point of origin for the shashka; it is their traditional weapon. It likely originated as an agricultural tool. The Caucasus, however, is a vast region stretching from the northern shores of the Black Sea to the shores of the Caspian Sea and includes the Greater Caucasus mountain range and the Pontic steppe (grasslands). This region is home to four recognized countries (Georgia, Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Russia), three semi-recognized countries, and thirteen autonomous republics or federal regions. It is also home to a melting pot of MANY ethno-linguistic groups. There are three primary ethnic groups in this region: Caucasians (Georgians fall into this category), Indo-Europeans (Slavs and Armenians), and Altaic peoples (Turkic peoples and Mongols). There are six primary language groups: Kartvelian (includes the Georgian language), Northwest Caucasian (includes Adyghe), Northeast Caucasian (spoken in Dagestan and Chechnya), Indo-European (Russian), Semitic, and Turkic. Islam is the dominant religion in this region, but there are also Orthodox Christians, Armenian Christians, Jews, and a few Neopagans.
Why am I sharing this information? Today, the shashka is frequently marketed as a "Russian" sword, a "Caucasian" sword, or a "Cossack" sword. Not all of these terms are synonymous or congruent with each other. Here is why: Russians conquered most of the Caucasus in the nineteenth century and they adopted the use of the shashka widely. If one markets a "Russian" shashka, patterned off Russian made antiques from the nineteenth or early twentieth century, that would be an honest description of that sword. As for a "Caucasian" shashka, that can refer to a sword made in the Caucasus, which is a huge region with many diverse groups, including Russians. I refer to the above-mentioned sword as a "Caucasian" shashka because it was made by a Georgian. As for a "Cossack" shashka, the Cossacks were East-Slavic speaking Orthodox Christians from democratic, self-governing, semi-militaristic countries near the North Sea and along the Pontic steppe. Some people still identify as Cossacks to this day, but most of them are in Russia, Ukraine, and Belarus.
So what does all of this mean? VT Daggers, incredibly, markets their shashka as Russian Caucasian Cossack "shashka." So what happened here? Well, they are using all three terms simultaneously likely because of their value as search terms, counting on most people not knowing the difference. They may also be using all three terms because, in their unique case, they may be congruent with each other. David and his father, for all I know, could be ethnic Russians, whose ancestors were Cossacks. They may even identify as Cossacks like many Russians do. I meant to ask David about his ancestors, but I thought it an impertinent question to ask: are you an ethnic Russian with Cossack ancestry?
Why they would put shashka in quotes is likely out of respect for its origin with their Caucasian cousins, the Circassians. Even though other Caucasians, along with Russians and Cossacks adopted the use of the shashka, it did not originate as their traditional weapon, they just adopted its use. It's worth noting that David's business doesn't just sell swords, he sells the traditional Georgian male costume, which is why his store markets itself as "gifts for men."
Here we see three Georgians wearing their traditional costume. The costume consists primarily of an outercoat called a chokha, which is made from thick wool, is cinched at the waist and has rifle cartridge holders sewn along the chest. They also wear a wool hat called a nabdis kudi, and a short sword called a khanjal (pl: khanjali). The khanjal is the traditional sidearm of Georgians. The traditional construction method of a khanjal, which Russians refer to as a kindjal, consists of a short blade similar to a Roman spatha, and a highly ornate metal hilt. When Georgians adopted the use of the shashka, they patterned the sword off their traditional khanjal. See the below image for the complete costume.
Review
Measurements:
Weight: 1.8 lb. (812g)
Overall length: 36.5 in.
Blade length: 30 in.
Blade width: 1.25 in. at widest point.
Blade thickness: 5.6mm throughout, slight distal taper, 2.5mm at the tip.
POB: 8 in. from the hilt.
Steel type: 5160 carbon steel
Blade profile: Flat grind throughout, terminating in a lenticular profile at the tip.
Hilt type: Integrated
Temper: A stiff, unyielding blade with a little flex.
The blade is entirely hand made. The surface of the blade has some rippling, the two narrow fullers on either side waver a bit, and the polish is smooth, but meant to appear antiqued? It obviously has a dark grey patina to it, but I think this is deliberate. Some of these swords are marketed as being vintage, but I don't think mine is. The hilt is made of cast copper and is made via electrotyping, which Georgians adopted the use of in the nineteenth century.
The process involves making a mold, coating the inner surface of the mold with metallic paint (graphite is widely used), submerging the mold in a solution containing copper, and running a current through the solution to draw off the copper until it grafts itself onto the surface of the mold. It's a fascinating process and I recommend you search youtube for a few videos. The raw hilt is hollow, but the walls are thick enough to be stable. The copper hilt is smoothed and dipped in silver until it comes out nice and shiny. In some of the photos below you can see the silver has a slightly orange tint from the copper underneath. The embossed recesses of the hilt are filled with niello, a metallic black substance consisting of copper, silver, sulphur and lead to create a beautiful contrast.
The tang of the blade was traditionally secured to the hilt with pitch (resin), which was the same historic method used to build the Indian tulwar, but Vakhtang uses protacryl, the same substance used to make modern dental fillings! The entire sword feels very secure, no rattling whatsoever. There is no gap whatsoever between the hilt and the blade; it is TIGHT.
The scabbard is made from a carved wood core. The throat of the scabbard is recessed to incorporate the majority of the hilt itself. The blade fits perfectly into the scabbard, it's not too tight, not too loose, very little rattling. The scabbard fittings are beautifully cast, but they are BARE on one side because that side faces the wearer. This is deliberate, they are meant to be ornamental on one side. The fittings included metal rings, but I removed them because I found them cheap. I will replace them with something better. The scabbard is wrapped in black leather. It could be improved, I think, by being sewn up the back. Overall, the scabbard is not an afterthought, a considerable amount of work went into making it and a true shashka would not be complete without one.
I have no comments to make about my own first hand experience handling this sword due to my sheer lack of knowledge of its form and use. If you would like to ask me questions about how it feels in hand, I'd be happy to answer them. Little historical evidence survives to explain how these swords were used. There are modern Russian manuals, but the methods used are no different than basic saber forms from the rest of Europe. Circassians will tell you that the shashka is traditionally drawn from the scabbard in one quick motion to make a draw cut, much like the forms one sees in Japanese Iaido, but this is an oral tradition and is not verified by historical evidence. Cutting contests with these swords are VERY popular in Russia and the Caucasus these days. Women do not traditionally wear these, but they do dance with them. The dancing forms are often passed off as martial forms, which is obviously misleading and inaccurate. Sadly, despite their incredible talent wielding these swords, usually with two at a time, women are forbidden from the cutting contests, which I think, in my American arrogance, is really stupid. If these women can twirl these blades around like Legolas on crack, then let them cut with them! It's not traditional, I know, but it's the twenty-first century!
Overall, I will conclude that the sword feels very light, but the blade has more than enough mass to make authoritative cuts. It also is a relatively straight blade compared to other sabers, and could also be effective in the thrust. One does NOT want to wield this sword without gloves, especially if your hands get sweaty. Overall, I am absolutely thrilled with my purchase and will follow up with a khanjal next!
Short video: imgur.com/ij1JO7N