Navajas of the Galleons

fernando · 1st June 2012, 07:48 PM

Nice paper on navajas, Mark.
Although these knives had their golden period (in Spain) by the XVII-XVIII century, Rafael Forton reminds us that the first navajas, as they may be so called, appeared by the end of the XVI century. There are (doubtful) records of artisanal cuttlery activities befora that date, but among the variety of short white weapons that were then produced, none would be considered as navaja, in its conventional attribution.
Now playing by ear ...
It is well known that these knives derived from ancient razors. Evolution must have been at first stage, the folding handle and, later, the locking method, which might have brought (greatest?) charisma to these knives. Such locking features, of several variations, culminate (for me) with the ratchet, with its various connotations, being the most amazing one, that of giving the unwary a chance to "hear" the noise of the knife being unfolded by its owner.

M ELEY · 2nd June 2012, 04:36 AM

Awesome information on these knives, Fernando. Now that you mention it, I see where the earliest 'razors' had a similar form. From what I've read (I'm still a novice in this area), there are some distinctions that can somewhat help date them. Simple grips lacking rachets with only a simple pin holding the blade in place are some of the earliest, as are spear-point double edged blades. Rachets started appearing around the mid-18th century, as did expanded bolsters. It wasn't until the mid-19th c. that we see the pull ring release for the blade. Likewise, the more decorated examples with MOP grips, inlay designs and shaped hilts were later affictations. I can't wait to add one of the plainer, early examples to my naval collection...

Battara · 2nd June 2012, 10:41 PM

Great paper. Thanks. I once had a horn and bronze navaja with Afikaans inscription on it.

M ELEY · 3rd June 2012, 12:25 AM

Hello Battara,
Do you still have the piece? Pics?

When you mention afikaans inscription, are you referring to the Moraccan style markings? Sorry for my novice question.
It is fascinating how many of these are made in the so-called Moorish style, with the same type of "star" designs and line patterns one sees on Spanish colonial pieces. Hopefully I'll get an old one some day.

Battara · 3rd June 2012, 12:50 AM

Actually it was not Morrocan but Afrikaans and said, "Van a boor in varin (spelling)" which a friend who could speak Afikaans translated as "From a true Boar". The horn handle was white horn and it had a ratchet locking mechanism.

I which I had internet pictures of it but alas they were lost and I sold the piece long ago.

Dmitry · 3rd June 2012, 03:27 AM

My money is on the razors, not knives. Iron discipline was required on board ships, especially the treasure ships and naval vessels. Sailors did not carry knives as a matter of fact, all the repairs of the tackle and sails were done by the sail-makers and their crews, who had their own tools.
As we can see from numerous period paintings, most people were clean-shaven, even the lower classes [and sailors were the lowest of the low], to combat lice and infections. Author writes about scars on faces of some of the crew members. It could have been pox, acne, who knows.
The lone knife that he pictures with a plastic mould done after the original blade looks like a fruit knife. In regard to Newman's pictures of the folding knives, many of them have been identified as provincial Italian shabby jobs, not 18th c., but mid-19th or even early 20th c.
All in all I find the topic interesting, but the supplied article not convincing in the least. I can be wrong, of course.
Just my $ .02

M ELEY · 3rd June 2012, 12:42 PM

Interesting. As I said, I'm a novice when it comes to these, so I welcome the feedback and opinion. It is troubling that the powers that be would allow sailors, many of them possibly mutinous, access to such tools while at sea. Hmm, perhaps you are onto something, Dmitri. I do wish there were some period paintings or inventory lists that might shed light on the subject better. If these were carried by sailors or pirates, I'd love to add them to the collection. If not, I'd pass...

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1st June 2012, 07:48 PM	#1
fernando (deceased) Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,694	Nice paper on navajas, Mark. Although these knives had their golden period (in Spain) by the XVII-XVIII century, Rafael Forton reminds us that the first navajas, as they may be so called, appeared by the end of the XVI century. There are (doubtful) records of artisanal cuttlery activities befora that date, but among the variety of short white weapons that were then produced, none would be considered as navaja, in its conventional attribution. Now playing by ear ... It is well known that these knives derived from ancient razors. Evolution must have been at first stage, the folding handle and, later, the locking method, which might have brought (greatest?) charisma to these knives. Such locking features, of several variations, culminate (for me) with the ratchet, with its various connotations, being the most amazing one, that of giving the unwary a chance to "hear" the noise of the knife being unfolded by its owner.

2nd June 2012, 04:36 AM	#2
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Awesome information on these knives, Fernando. Now that you mention it, I see where the earliest 'razors' had a similar form. From what I've read (I'm still a novice in this area), there are some distinctions that can somewhat help date them. Simple grips lacking rachets with only a simple pin holding the blade in place are some of the earliest, as are spear-point double edged blades. Rachets started appearing around the mid-18th century, as did expanded bolsters. It wasn't until the mid-19th c. that we see the pull ring release for the blade. Likewise, the more decorated examples with MOP grips, inlay designs and shaped hilts were later affictations. I can't wait to add one of the plainer, early examples to my naval collection...

2nd June 2012, 10:41 PM	#3
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Great paper. Thanks. I once had a horn and bronze navaja with Afikaans inscription on it.

3rd June 2012, 12:25 AM	#4
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Hello Battara, Do you still have the piece? Pics? When you mention afikaans inscription, are you referring to the Moraccan style markings? Sorry for my novice question. It is fascinating how many of these are made in the so-called Moorish style, with the same type of "star" designs and line patterns one sees on Spanish colonial pieces. Hopefully I'll get an old one some day.

3rd June 2012, 12:50 AM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,272	Actually it was not Morrocan but Afrikaans and said, "Van a boor in varin (spelling)" which a friend who could speak Afikaans translated as "From a true Boar". The horn handle was white horn and it had a ratchet locking mechanism. I which I had internet pictures of it but alas they were lost and I sold the piece long ago.

3rd June 2012, 03:27 AM	#6
Dmitry Member Join Date: Jul 2009 Posts: 607	My money is on the razors, not knives. Iron discipline was required on board ships, especially the treasure ships and naval vessels. Sailors did not carry knives as a matter of fact, all the repairs of the tackle and sails were done by the sail-makers and their crews, who had their own tools. As we can see from numerous period paintings, most people were clean-shaven, even the lower classes [and sailors were the lowest of the low], to combat lice and infections. Author writes about scars on faces of some of the crew members. It could have been pox, acne, who knows. The lone knife that he pictures with a plastic mould done after the original blade looks like a fruit knife. In regard to Newman's pictures of the folding knives, many of them have been identified as provincial Italian shabby jobs, not 18th c., but mid-19th or even early 20th c. All in all I find the topic interesting, but the supplied article not convincing in the least. I can be wrong, of course. Just my $ .02

3rd June 2012, 12:42 PM	#7
M ELEY Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: NC, U.S.A. Posts: 2,141	Interesting. As I said, I'm a novice when it comes to these, so I welcome the feedback and opinion. It is troubling that the powers that be would allow sailors, many of them possibly mutinous, access to such tools while at sea. Hmm, perhaps you are onto something, Dmitri. I do wish there were some period paintings or inventory lists that might shed light on the subject better. If these were carried by sailors or pirates, I'd love to add them to the collection. If not, I'd pass...