Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is a representative of knifemaking, one of Kahramanmaraş's long-standing handicrafts. Known for their fame and quality, these knives were registered as a "geographical indication" with registration number 300 on 22.12.2017, as a result of an application made by Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office with application number C2016/079 and application date 19.09.2016, thus putting them under protection.

^{Kahramanmaraş's Registered Knives (AA)}

Definition and Distinctive Features of Hartlap Knife

A knife is a tool used for cutting, with a steel blade and a handle made from horn (buffalo, ram, goat), boxwood, and fiber-type materials. The history of knifemaking in Kahramanmaraş is as old as the city itself, and the production of this tradition is still carried out in Hartlap.

The distinctive features of the Hartlap Knife are:

• Hartlap masters traditionally perpetuate their unique knife-making techniques by passing them down from father to son through a master-apprentice relationship.
• Processing of buffalo horn, ram horn, goat horn, and boxwood used in the handle part with traditional methods. Nowadays, fiber or plastic materials can also be used in handle production.
• Producing knives in different shapes and names according to their areas of use (sacrifice knife, fruit knife, pocket knife, butcher knife, döner knife, kitchen knife, etc.).
• The metal part being steel and the handle part being produced from the specified materials by Hartlap masters using their unique production technique in Hartlap village.

Production Method

1. Steel Preparation: From imported steel material in sheets, strips are cut according to the knife size.
2. Forging and Shaping: The steel is shaped by forging on an anvil according to the type of knife. The shaped steel is forged again on the anvil to compact the carbons within the metal, thereby gaining its sharpness.
3. Grinding and Filing: After the forging process, the spine and edge of the knife are smoothed and thinned by grinding or filing with a motorized machine called a "grinding wheel". During this process, the metal, which heats up due to friction, is cooled by being submerged in water. The edge is sanded again with a wheeled sander to thin it further.
4. Surface Correction and Patterning: Any remaining particles and raised areas on the metal are clamped in a vise and smoothed with a hand file. On the same workbench, a pattern is applied to the knife with a steel tip according to the master's or customer's request. Any imperfections resulting from the patterning are again smoothed with a hand file.
5. Quenching (Hardening): To sharpen the steel knife, whose pattern is complete, it is completely buried in glowing embers until it turns red-hot. The red-hot knife is then slowly dipped into water to cool, thus "taking its water" which is necessary for its sharpness.
6. Final Adjustments: If the knife's form has changed during this process, it is re-adjusted with a hand file and motorized sander. To prevent the knife from "losing its temper" during this process, it is dipped into water as it heats up.
7. Polishing and Buffing: Polishing and buffing are performed on a motorized polishing machine.
8. Handle Assembly: For the prepared knife metal, a handle made of horn, wood, or fiber-type material is chosen according to preference. To mount the handle to the metal, holes are drilled in the handle corresponding to the holes previously left in the metal. The steel knife and handle are joined by inserting wires through the drilled holes. To prevent the wire from coming out and to make it more secure, appropriate rivets are attached to both sides of the wire, smoothed with a file, and then fused by hammering.
9. Sharpening: Finally, the knife, filed on a "biye stone" which is originally an iron ore mined directly from the earth, becomes ready for display.

Geographical Indication and Regional Connection

Geographical Boundary and Type of Indication

The geographical boundary of the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap knife has been determined as the province of Kahramanmaraş. The type of geographical indication is a "designation of origin". This indicates that the product's fame and specific characteristics originate from the Kahramanmaraş region, especially from the production tradition in Hartlap village.

Connection to the Geographical Area

It is stated that the metal part of the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap knife is steel, and its handle part is produced in Hartlap village by Hartlap masters using their unique production technique with horn, boxwood, and fiber materials. The fact that knifemaking is as old as the history of Kahramanmaraş and its production is still ongoing in Hartlap, along with the traditional production techniques passed down from father to son through a master-apprentice relationship, demonstrates the product's strong connection to its geographical area and its fame.

Registrant and Address

The registrant of the geographical indication for the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap knife is Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality. The registrant's address is stated as İsmetpaşa Mah. Azerbaycan Blv. No:25, 46100 Merkez/Dulkadiroğlu/Kahramanmaraş.

Inspection

An inspection mechanism has been established to control whether the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap knife is produced in accordance with its geographical indication. The inspection committee consists of a total of 3 people: 1 member from the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality Police Department, 1 member from the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and 1 member from the Handicrafts Department of Kahramanmaraş Karacasu Technical Sciences Vocational School.

Inspections are carried out at least twice a year, or whenever needed or upon complaint. The inspection criteria are as follows:

• Whether the materials used in production have the characteristics specified in the production method.
• Whether the forging process on an anvil is performed to sharpen the knife.
• Whether the knife is straightened with a hand file and motorized sander.
• Whether polishing and buffing are performed on a motorized polishing machine.
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The inspection committee may benefit from public or private institutions, experts employed therein, and real or legal persons during the execution of the inspection. It may procure services and carry out legal processes for the protection of rights.