The cheese knife from the museum’s collection was produced at the Zlatoust Arms Factory in the early 20th century. The factory was established in the Urals on December 16, 1815. The location was chosen because of the area’s well-developed metallurgical industry, which was crucial to manufacturing high-quality products.

The factory produced all the main types of bladed weapons as well as custom-designed honorary weapons. According to the 1817 imperial order of Alexander I, Zlatoust was chosen as Russia’s center of bladed weapon production.

Thanks to the efforts of Russian engineers from the Tula and Olonets factories, as well as invited foreign experts, products were manufactured to the highest standards. The factory included eight divisions that were responsible for steel, edged, hilted, and decorated weapons, as well as armory, cuirasses, and daywork.

By the mid-19th century, the range of products had been significantly expanded. The factory continued to produce bladed weapons for civilian officials, sports weapons, and exotic decorative weapons with elaborate designs using different materials and sophisticated techniques.

During this period, the Zlatoust factory also started producing cigarette cases, matchboxes, mirrors, and candlesticks. Later, it added steel canes, bracelets, and cufflinks to the product range. The craftsmen designed cutlery sets that included bread, fruit, fish, and cheese knives. The range of bread knives alone included nineteen different designs.

The cheese knife from the museum’s collection is a typical example of the Zlatoust Arms Factory’s products. It has an unusual wide blade with a curved lower edge. The upper edge is equipped with two slightly curved prongs at the end.

The flattened handle has a trapezoidal shape. It is made of green striped semi-precious Ural stone and has beveled edges. The knife is decorated with engraved floral patterns and inscriptions that indicate its purpose and place of manufacture.