ratcheting mechanism on Spanish Navajas

[Lee]

Thank you Chris for your attribution of my navaja. The blade is fairly thin (0.06 inch ~ 1.52 mm). The end of the blade first engages the spring at about half open (90 degrees).

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Lew had an old 'pull-ring to unlock' clasp knife that he regarded as French, 19th Century. It has been burnished up, but traces of age remain in the crevices. This blade is thicker and the fulcrum more robust, but with just the one stop (it may be seen sticking out in the closed photos below).

Lew must have really liked this style of knife as he also had several variations of the Okapis (both German and South African made) as well as having Kudu knock-offs.

[Chris Evans]

Lee,

That `navaja' looks very French to me, but could have come from anywhere, perhaps Italian.

The `teat' lock was much favoured in France and Italy.

Cheers
Chris