knives in the Ertugrul netflix series

[dirc]

the knives & swords in the netflix series, Ertugrul are really quite interesting

they are used a LOT
everyone edc's a 7-12" dagger of some type, usually tucked in their belt
they brag about having damascus steel swords

does anyone know about the makers involved? or how historically accurate they are?
for a series that takes place about 800 years ago it seems fairly advanced

 

[RayseM]

I am on season 3 episode 48 Has taken me about 3 years. There have been some draggy sections but for the most part I have immensely enjoyed this show. Here is some factual and surprising historical perspective. Don't read if you don't want any spoiler alerts.

As for the knives and swords - yeah everyone including the women are carrying. Most of the close ups though show - dull, crooked blades. Of course these were all made by smiths - but I suspect even in those days (circa, mid 1200) - not up to par with Japanese period blades. Still, they sure know how to use them.

Ray

 

[Shorttime]

Damascus/Wootz steel was being produced and traded in some form from the 6th century BCE, so it did exist at the time. The Oghuz Turks were pretty far East to have easy access to products from Syria, but there's nothing to rule it out, completely.

And even if they didn't actually have Damascus blades, there's nothing wrong with wanting your opponent to think that you do, hey?

 

[RayseM]

For the most part, I have only heard them mention Damascus blades 2 or 3 times. Each time, these mentioned, had been given or received as a gift or for ceremonial purposes. Otherwise typically, the knives and swords featured and used by the alps (tribal warriors/defense force) and carried by everyone else, were made by the tribal blacksmith - who took great pride in creating a worthy and masterful weapon - as related in this series.

Ray

 

[dirc]

I found the overall shape of his sword to be very non-standard... not really a scimitar, and definitely not a plain longsword. A bit of a cross between the 2, with a slightly thicker forward section (like 1 foot from the tip) which looks to make it a useful chopper as well as slicer

like this design