Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife

Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is one of the representatives of the traditional craft of knife-making, a long-standing artisanal practice in Kahramanmaraş. Recognized for its reputation and quality, these knives were granted protection as a "geographical indication" on 22 December 2017 under registration number 300, following an application submitted by the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality to the Turkish Patent and Trademark Office with application number C2016/079 and application date 19 September 2016.

A knife is a tool used for cutting, with a blade made of steel and a handle crafted from horn (from buffalo, ram, or goat), shimsir wood, or fiber-based materials. The history of knife-making in Kahramanmaraş is as old as the city itself, and this tradition continues to be practiced today in Hartlap.

The distinguishing features of the Hartlap Knife are as follows:

• Artisans from Hartlap preserve their unique knife-making techniques through the traditional master-apprentice relationship, passing them down from father to son.
• The horn materials—buffalo, ram, and goat horn—as well as shimsir wood are processed using traditional methods. In modern times, fiber or plastic materials are also used in handle production.
• Knives are produced in different shapes and names according to their intended use, such as sacrificial knives, fruit knives, pocket knives, butcher knives, doner knives, and kitchen knives.
• The blade is made of steel, and the handle is crafted from the specified materials using Hartlap artisans’ original production technique, exclusively manufactured in the village of Hartlap.

1. Steel Preparation: Steel materials imported in sheet form are cut into strips according to the desired knife dimensions.
2. Forging and Shaping: The steel is hammered on an anvil to form the blade according to its type. Further hammering compresses the carbon within the metal, enhancing its sharpness.
3. Grinding and Filing: After forging, the spine and edge of the blade are smoothed and thinned using grinding stones or a motorized machine known as a "çark taşı." During this process, the metal heats up due to friction and is cooled by immersion in water. The edge is further refined by polishing with a powered grinding wheel.
4. Surface Smoothing and Engraving: Residual particles and raised areas on the metal surface are flattened using a bench vise and hand files. On the same workbench, patterns are engraved onto the blade using a steel stylus, based on the artisan’s or customer’s request. Any irregularities created during engraving are smoothed again with hand files.
5. Quenching (Hardening): To achieve optimal sharpness, the fully engraved steel blade is completely buried in glowing charcoal until it reaches a red-hot state. It is then removed and slowly immersed in water to cool, acquiring the necessary "quenched" hardness.
6. Final Adjustments: If the blade’s shape has been altered during quenching, it is re-smoothed using hand files and powered grinding wheels. To prevent loss of hardness, the blade is periodically dipped in water as it heats up during this process.
7. Polishing and Buffing: The blade is polished and buffed using a motorized polishing machine.
8. Handle Assembly: A handle made of horn, wood, or fiber is selected according to preference and fitted onto the prepared metal blade. Holes are drilled in the handle to match those pre-drilled in the blade. The blade and handle are joined together using metal wire. To secure the wire and ensure durability, rivets are fitted on both ends, smoothed with files, and hammered to fuse the components.
9. Sharpening: Finally, the knife is sharpened on a "biye taşı," a natural stone mined directly from the earth, rendering it ready for use.

The geographical boundary for the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is defined as Kahramanmaraş Province. The type of geographical indication is "geographical indication" (mahreç işareti), signifying that the product’s reputation and specific characteristics originate from the Kahramanmaraş region, particularly from the production tradition of the village of Hartlap.

The Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is produced exclusively in the village of Hartlap, with its blade made of steel and its handle crafted from horn, shimsir wood, or fiber materials using the unique production techniques of Hartlap artisans. The fact that knife-making in Kahramanmaraş dates back as far as the city’s history and that production continues today in Hartlap, through traditional master-apprentice methods passed from father to son, demonstrates the strong link between the product and its geographical origin, as well as its established reputation.

The applicant for the geographical indication of the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality. The applicant’s address is listed as İsmetpaşa Mah. Azerbaycan Blv. No:25, 46100 Merkez/Dulkadiroğlu/Kahramanmaraş.

A monitoring mechanism has been established to verify whether the Kahramanmaraş Hartlap Knife is produced in accordance with the geographical indication standards. The monitoring commission consists of three members: one representative from the Kahramanmaraş Metropolitan Municipality’s Municipal Inspection Directorate, one from the Kahramanmaraş Chamber of Commerce and Industry, and one from the Department of Handicrafts at Kahramanmaraş Karacasu Technical Sciences Vocational School.

Inspections are conducted at least twice a year, and may be carried out at any time upon request or complaint. The inspection criteria are as follows:

• Whether the materials used in production meet the specifications outlined in the production method.
• Whether the forging process on the anvil has been performed to harden the blade.
• Whether the blade has been smoothed using hand files and powered grinding wheels.
• Whether the blade has been polished and buffed using a motorized polishing machine.

The monitoring commission may draw upon expertise from public or private institutions, qualified professionals employed by such organizations, or individuals and legal entities. It may procure services and initiate legal proceedings to protect the rights associated with the geographical indication.