Elegance and artistic plating, common characteristics of famous Zanjan knives

Iranica Desk - Leila Imani

The northwestern province of Zanjan is situated near the Silk Road; therefore, for a long time a large number of its residents have made a living through trade. Moreover, local people have used souvenirs of Zanjan to introduce their province to travelers and merchants.

A knife has been the most popular souvenir of the city since ancient times. Many people, even those who are living outside the borders of Iran, are familiar with this valuable handicraft, which dates back several thousand years.

The craft of knife-making has always attracted talented artists and craftspeople of the region. They have managed to turn useless metal pieces into one of the most used tools, chtn.ir reported.

The common characteristics of Zanjan knives are their elegance and artistic plating and cuttings.

Zanjan was the center of the weapons-manufacturing industry during the Achaemenid Period. However, development of the knife-making industry during the past centuries is definitely the result of various factors including the geographical location of Zanjan in the central Iranian Plateau, the role of the city in the battles that occurred in the area before and after the advent of Islam, being situated at the crossroads of Eastern and Western civilizations, and the availability of raw materials including iron and copper in the region.

No evidence is available on the exact beginning date of the knife-making industry in Zanjan Province. Zanjan’s oldest knife, which was discovered in Cherabad Salt Mine, is 1,800 years old. The knife’s 11cm-long-handle is made of goat horn, and is connected to a 5.8cm-long blade.

During the Ilkhanid Period (1256-1353 CE), the cities of Tabriz, Maragheh and Soltanieh (a city in Zanjan Province) turned into the main centers of artwork production in Iran. Oljaitu, also known as Mohammad Khodabandeh, made Soltanieh, the capital of his kingdom, as one of the main metalworking centers of the country.

Moreover, according to some historical documents and travel notes, 17th century Zanjan was a city where knives, swords and daggers were produced in great numbers, and a many knife-making workshops were established all over the region.

Various materials such as precious stones, jewels, thread, pieces of sea shells, horns and ivory are used for making knives. Presently, knife blades are made of hard steel like iron and brass. The handle is made of three different parts and attached to the blade with a special technique that gives it a monolithic look.

About 700 knife-making workshops are operating in Zanjan Province, where 1,500 people are working.

Experts believe that the flourishing of the art would help preserve the several-thousand-year-old heritage and generate jobs for many youths.