Evrenye Knife

Evrenye Knife is a unique, entirely handcrafted steel knife produced in the villages of Dibek and Evrenye, within the İnebolu district of Kastamonu Province in Türkiye. It has been protected under the Industrial Property Law since February 28, 2020, and officially registered with a geographical indication on February 23, 2021. This knife is a craft product that masterfully combines traditional craftsmanship, local raw materials, and technical precision.

Evrenye Knife (Turkish Patent)

Geographical Context and Reputation

The Evrenye Knife derives its name from the village of Evrenye, where the knives are sold and where maritime activities have contributed to greater economic development. However, production primarily takes place in Dibek Village. The long-standing historical relationship between the product and the region establishes a clear link between the knife and its geographical origin.

Technical Features and Manufacturing Process

The production of the Evrenye Knife begins with heating the steel to a temperature of 950–1000°C. The steel is forged using three different hammers and shaped with a large hammer known as a perdah. The “namlu” section embedded within the handle is repeatedly hammered to define its form. The steel is then tempered by controlled cooling to prevent cracking when holes are drilled for the handle.

Handle Hole Drilling and Shaping: The handle holes are drilled by hand using a hand drill. Burrs are removed and the blade is flattened, followed by initial sharpening on a stone known as a kösere.

Quenching: The heated steel is immersed in a trough filled with water or oily water to harden it. Special substances such as fish oil are used to prevent warping of the blade.

Handle Manufacturing: Handles are carved from goat horn and heated in a furnace. They are then straightened in a vise and roughly shaped with a knife. Further refinement is achieved through planing and sawing to ensure a perfect fit with the blade.

Assembly: Aligned holes are joined using pointed nails that secure the handle to the blade. A copper plate inserted between the components serves both to stabilize and protect the joint.

Scabbard Production: Scabbards are carved from alder wood and shaped individually for each knife. They are completed with rings made from cherry bark.

Decorative Techniques

Evrenye knives are not only functional but also possess distinct aesthetic qualities. Three distinct decorative styles are employed:

1. Grooves (on pointed and curved blades): Decoration begins with dots created by hammering with a nail, followed by one to three grooves. The length and number of grooves vary according to the size of the blade.
2. Nakkaş (on butcher knives): Decorated with baklava patterns, dots, and short grooves. Designs may feature single or double baklava motifs.
3. Spine Decorations: Notches, hollows, and tapered tip details created using an electric kösere and hand files complete the aesthetic of the blade.

These decorations are applied during the metalworking process, prior to quenching. This ensures that the patterns become more visible after the final polishing, as darker residues remain in the engraved areas.

Geographical Limitation and Oversight

Production of the Evrenye Knife is restricted exclusively to the registered geographical area, namely the villages of Dibek and Evrenye. This highly skilled manufacturing process is inspected twice annually and, when necessary, by the designated oversight authority. Inspection criteria include the origin of the horn used for the handle, the material of the scabbard, the appropriateness of the decorative elements, and the correct use of the geographical indication.