Kantemirov managed to teach his craft

On November 1 the exhibition “Blade. Traditions and modernity” opened in Sokolniki. 140 producers from 11 countries brought their products to Moscow: knives of different sizes and shapes, sharpening stones and devices to treat the blade, from Cossack shashkas to fantasy-style knives.

Elena Tikhomirova, expert on cultural heritage, representative of the Russian Ministry of Culture: "Many people, including Muscovites and guests of our city, come specifically for this exhibition because it brings together firms and craftsmen from different regions that work in this sphere and show their art, their craft, their skills, show that this branch is still alive in our country and has an important place. By the way, our Caucasian guests are among the oldest participants of our exhibition. They bring wonderful pieces and show their modern production. Caucasian traditions in this sphere are very old. And the last years show that these traditions are not passed on in vain. We know wonderful producers  - Kizlyar, which works for a long time and is well known on the market. We know their work style, we know their artistic style,  these pieces attract many people, these are really interesting works. Dagestan also has amazing craftsmen, who also continue the traditions of their region.  All this certainly adds a special dimension to the exhibition because knife craft is a craft that lives forever, it has very old traditions, and they will probably live forever as well."

In the Caucasus weapons have been treated with special attention for centuries, they were highly valued and nobody spared money on them. A real highlander was never separated from his sabre. Later the weapons became an indispensable part of the national costume. The richness of its decoration spoke about the wealth and the status of the owner.Magomed Magomayev, craftsman: "The main feature of the Kubachi knife is that it is always handmade. It is engraved and blackened. And embossed. Sometimes, but not always. Sometimes we also work with enamel. This is a multi-coloured cloisonne. We also now use ivory.  The name comes from the name of Kubachi village, this craft has been there for centuries."

Alexandr Degtyarev, craftsman: "The scabbard was made of metal, and allowed me to work with it like with a stick. But there was also a layer of leather, you see, this leather cone at the end, so that you do not break the skull but only stun. And the blade is already inside. In reality it was not 2 in 1, but 3 in 1.  Because this ball at the end was also made from metal and was used as knob-stick.  It was a very interesting weapon.  They were holding it by the end.  Do you remember that good film “Two Steps From Paradise”, where at the beginning of the film Mukhtarbek Kantemirov does this stunt- at full gallop he throws his nagaika and it goes through a window. Then they could also hold it like this. Then it is closer to a winner, but more complicated, more efficient. It could pierce, cut, crush, make figures-of-eight, it was a very interesting weapon with a history behind it. The Dubovka Cossacks lived on the Volga. Our town of Dubovka was the capital of it. We are now developing the culture of our ancestors, I am a craftsman and we do it all together in family. My niece Natalya is hiding there. This is our family business, we are reviving Cossack culture. It was our Dubovka Cossacks that made a special contribution to the Volga Cossacks. Our regiment in Dubovka had 3600 Cossacks. It was moved after the Pugachev uprising.  Emilian Pugachev was registered in our Dubovka and when he was moving to Tsaritsyn with all his enormous army the Cossacks of Dubovka in order not be killed had to meet him with bread and salt. Only 300 people joined his army. But it was enough for the entire regiment to lose the trust of the government and the regiment was moved to protect the Mozdok line on the Terek."

Oleg Korneyev, knife-throwing instructor: "I started dealing with knives in 2000. I met Mukhtarbek Kantemirov, the actor who starred in more than 80 films and in 50 he directed the stunts. “Don’t Be Afraid, I Am With You”, “Two Steps From Paradise”, “Peter the First”, etc. I talked to him for 5 min and for 10 min he showed me his art of throwing knives, in 15 min I was throwing them from a 3-meter distance, in 30 min from a 5-meter distance. So the man managed to teach me his craft. We use ordinary household knives, because you cannot find special knives for throwing in Russia. But they are acceptable. They have different weights, shapes and lengths. All people are different and so are their hands, and this is an important factor when you are throwing the knife.  Therefore every man, regardless of gender and age, should have his own knife with the corresponding weight, shape and length.

Mikhail Bleider, member of the organizing committee of the exhibition: "Parallel to the exhibition and trade we organize different events. On November 3 we will hold a master-class in bayonet fighting, because this is also a weapon. There will also be some small competitions. On November 4 we will have a special program. We will hold a fencing competition and a competition in self-defense without weapons and also a cooking show, that will be particularly interesting for women. Our super-chef Yura Shutayev will make miracles with various knives and ingredients.  Some small events will take place on November 5, the last day of the exhibition. In addition, Cossacks will show their skills with cold weapons and nagaikas, it will be a very interesting group of people that treat weapons not only as a piece of sharp metal but as a symbol, as an instrument, so it should be very exciting and dynamic. I invite everyone to attend our exhibition."