The Yakut knife is an all-purpose blade from the far north wilderness of the Sakha Republic (Jakutia). They are forged asymmetrical with a distinct touch of function before form. These knives are similar to a Puukko and can be used for general bushcrafting, carving, and simple cutting tasks around camp. The handle is a simple oval cylinder and fits the hand well.

Blade

The Yakut knives is a general purpose hunting, fishing, work and combat knife of the indigenous people of Siberia. It has a very functional and versatile design that has not changed much over the centuries. Typically, a Yakut knife has a blade length of about 4-6 inches. It also has a distinctive curve, resembling a drop point, that enhances its slicing capabilities. The other unique feature of a Yakut knife is its asymmetrical design. One side of the blade has a fuller, or a groove in it, while the other side is flat and has a chisel grind.

The fuller allows the knife to cut more efficiently by reducing the amount of resistance during cutting. It also protects the edge from corrosion by increasing its strength and durability. This combination of function and form makes the Yakut knife a reliable tool for cold weather activities. For example, it can be used to skin reindeer or to plane frozen fish.

Handle

The people of the Sakha Republic, or Yakutia as it is also known, have a long tradition of knife making. They hold village smiths just below shamans in reverence and their unique knife is designed to help them survive in one of the harshest environments on Earth. The blade is traditionally asymmetrical; one side has a deep, forged in fuller while the other is almost straight and has no fuller. This allows the knife to be used for both skinning and wood work, both of which are necessary for survival in Siberia's icy climate.

The handle is usually made from a large, egg-shaped section of birch burl and can be gripped easily while wearing thick winter gloves. The tang is anchored into the handle with epoxy and the whole knife is then finished with a hand stitched leather sheath. The knife can be carried either right or left handed. A metal bolster can be added to the handle if desired.

Sheath

The sheath is designed to hold and protect a knife, offering safety during storage or transport. It prevents accidental cuts and maintains the knife’s sharpness. It also shields the blade from environmental factors and provides easy access for use. The Sakha Republic, or Yakutia, covers a third of the world’s land mass and is one of the coldest regions on earth. The people who live there, known as Yakuts, are semi-nomadic reindeer herders, fishers and hunters. They have a long tradition of blacksmithing, and regard village smiths as a revered profession.

The Yakut knife features a unique asymmetrical blade with a flat side and a deep fuller or groove. This reduces the surface area of contact with meat or wood, making it easier to cut. This is a major reason why this knife is used for hunting, skinning and cleaning game. The asymmetrical shape also makes it great for whittling and carving woodwork. The handle is carved from a piece of birch burl and has a large cross section that ensures a comfortable grip, even when wearing thick winter mittens.

Weight

The Yakut knife is a cold-weather tool, designed from the thousands of years of experience in Siberia and Far East Russia. It is a simple and intuitive knife where functionality is the key objective. Whether it is splitting reindeer from bones or planeing frozen fish, or even crafting bowls and cups, this knife performs flawlessly. It is forged of Kh12MF steel, which is a grade that is highly resistant to wear and compressive loads, as well as corrosion. Its hardness is in the range of 60-62 HRC after heat treatment.

The Yakut (or Sakha) people of the Sakha Republic in northern Siberia have a unique cultural heritage that includes the craftsmanship of these distinctive knives. They are used for a wide variety of tasks, including cutting game in the tundra and working with frozen wood in the taiga. The design of the Yakut knife is distinguished by its asymmetrical blade geometry, with one side featuring a deep fuller and the other having a chisel-like grind.

Conclusion

The yakut knife is an excellent bushcraft knife, good for wood processing, carving, and general cutting tasks. It's also great at gutting fish and skinning game. Like many Indigenous peoples, the Yakuts fight against resource exploitation on their traditional lands. Blacksmiths are high on the social ladder in their culture, and shamans even feared them.