The Cretan people due to their rural majority but also because of the continuous invasions of conquerors on the island, gained a tradition in the art of knife making everyday tools and weapons of war that contributed to their revolutions.

The birth of the Cretan knife goes back in the centuries, it became integral partner of the Cretan and ornament of traditional costume. The original version appears to have been different from what we find today, and enriched with elements of Venetian and Turkish style, conquerors who passed through the island. Based on the type of use and the person whom it was intended, the Cretan knife acquired different variations.

Remarkable samples of Cretan knife, real art creations, were those reserved for eminent personalities and great warlords which have blade carvings, ivory handle and elaborate silver decoration and case of silver. However, the decoration does not missing from knives of other purposes with handles of bone, horn or olive wood, with Cretan elements or couplets engraved on the blade.

The most renowned artisans was at the city of Chania, from the Ottoman Empire until a few decades ago, giving the road where they were the name Macheradika . Today both in Chania and the rest cities of Crete, there are few craftsmen who continue the construction of traditional knives since now their use has been reduced, making them more tourist souvenirs.

You can visit Macheradika through our tour Tour 11 and discover the art of Cretan knife.