Zlatoust Arms Company Ltd. (OOO “Zlatoustovskaya Oruzheynaya Kompaniya”) was established in May 2001 in Zlatoust, Chelyabinsk region. The company is one of the fastest-growing knife companies in Russia. The items manufactured at ZOK’s factory are always in high demand. Production volumes grow, and the enterprise creates new jobs. Along with experienced masters, the factory attracts many young people. At the present moment, ZOK employs 200 people.
The unique applied art of metal engraving started as a method of cold steel weapon decoration in the beginning of the XIX century, when the Arms Factory was founded in Zlatoust to produce armaments for the Russian army and the Russian fleet.
German armorers from Solingen and Klingental were invited to share their experience. Among them was the famous craftsman of blade decoration Wilgelm Schaf, who, along with his sons, decorated the first Zlatoust blades.
Shortly afterwards, Zlatoust disciples of Schaf’s mastered the German steel decorating trade and even managed to create their own, original style of steel engraving. Traditional non-interrelated patterns were replaced by detailed thematic compositions – battle themes, hunting motifs, and landscapes of the Urals. Outstanding Ural engraving artists, including Ivan Bushuyev and Ivan Boyarshinov, set remarkably high standards of bladed weapon decoration. The famous bulat steel invented by P.P. Anosov and the highly artistic decoration patterns made Zlatoust edged weapons famous far beyond the borders of Russia.
It is a true historical fact that Alexander Gumboldt, the famous German naturalist, was once presented with a wonderful Zlatoust sword. In the middle of the XIX century, English scientist Roderick Murchison spoke enthusiastically of the Zlatoust Arms Factory and its unique products. The daggers, swords, and trays, “excited every person’s interest in England.”
The Zlatoust Arms Factory processed orders of His Majesty the Emperor. These were swords, broadswords, dirks, and knives. Many times the “Highest Gratitude” designation was accorded to the factory’s director P.P. Anosov and other Zlatoust craftsmen.
Blades produced by the Zlatoust Arms Factory are integral parts of many museum treasuries – the Moscow Kremlin Armoury, the Tsar Village Arsenal, the State Hermitage, the Moscow Museum of Russia, and the Museum of Artillery, to name a few.
Later, the factory began engraving boxes, utensil sets, axes, and cigarette cases. The engraving technique has been improved: the hilts were made from ornamental stones, wood, and bone.
Today, the craftsmen of “Zlatoustovskaya Oruzheynaya Kompaniya” keep up with the traditions and trends of the best European and Russian armorers.
The products of these artists have won a number of national and international awards.
Many pieces are made according to customized designs for special orders. There is a great deal of collectors, experts, and connoisseurs of Zlatoust armorers’ products among our customers – officials of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Russia and the C.I.S. states, banks, and governmental institutions.
Every article is marked with the brand logo, the winged horse and the abbreviation ZOK, the date, and origin of production. The combination of the steel tone, pure gold, and nickel, as well as nielloing, make the articles look mesmerizing, noble, and distinctive.
The company produces highly-decorated artistic weapons. Today, ZOK honorably upholds the best traditions of prominent Zlatoust armorers. In addition to unique cold steel, ZOK workshops produce wine and cognac sets, cups, prizes, decorative souvenirs, home utensils, such as small chests, trays, candlesticks, hunting and tourist knives, and hatchets. Every item is hand-made, exclusive, and unique. Most pieces are made according to customized specifications. The pieces made at Zlatoust Arms Company Ltd. not only represent works of art, but also have full functionality.
“I was stunned with the quality and the uniqueness of ZOK products,” director of ZOK Blades USA Lyn Anglin said. “I will do my best in order to promote the image and the trademark of ZOK in the United States.”
Contact information:
Zlatoust Arms Company, ZOK Ltd.
177 Anosova ul., Zlatoust 456206,
Russia
Director General: Aleksandr Sonich
Tel./Fax: +7 (3513) 62-1144;
62-2244; 62-0844; 62-2770
E-mail: zok@zok.ru
Site: www.zok.ru
ZOK Blades USA
Oklahoma City, OK
Director: Lyn Anglin
Tel.: 770-861-1706
E-mail: lynanglin@juno.com