Kazakh qaddara

Measurements
length: 23 1/2"
blade: 18"
blade width: 1 1/8"
grip and pommel: 5 1/2"
weight: 1 lb 1.0 oz

The qaddara (quaddara, kaddara) is is the longer single-edged version of the Russian/Caucasian/Cossack kindjal dagger. Usually considered a Persian weapon, this particular qaddara is from the Kuban area of Kazakhstan. It's a plain tribal herdsman's working version of the sword, with a laminated steel blade that was most likely blacksmith (rather than cutler) made. Differentially tempred, the laminated edge is tougher than the forged body of the blade. This sword originally came from the Kuban family who previously owned the qaddara with a tattered soft pine grip. That grip has been replaced with a grip in the traditional style made from silver maple wood. The leaher covered wooden sheath is also a modern replacement (for the missing original sheath), it's made from poplar. A nice solid workingman's tool/weapon!