Spanish Punal for a lady?

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by laEspadaAncha

Hi Gene,

While tangental to the discussion of this particular knife, I thought I'd include a photo of my own (smaller) example along with an even more diminutive navy knife. The Spanish dagger below is about the same size as your own (I'd estimate it's maybe 3/8 of an inch smaller in overall length). Next to it is a knife made under contract for the U.S. Navy in 1864-1865, which as you can see is significantly smaller than the Spanish dagger...



I'd say the moral is to never underestimate the utility of a knife of any size, whether on land or at sea!

Hi laEspadaAncha,
The one like mine is lovely, nice scabbard too!!!
The other one is interesting, I've seen them and ignored them, thinking them mid 20thC belt knives What exactly was their function in the naval context?
Time for a reapraisal for me I think
Best
Gene

[laEspadaAncha]

Originally Posted by Atlantia

Hi laEspadaAncha,
The one like mine is lovely, nice scabbard too!!!
The other one is interesting, I've seen them and ignored them, thinking them mid 20thC belt knives What exactly was their function in the naval context?
Time for a reapraisal for me I think
Best
Gene

Hi Gene,

Belt knives to be sure, and in the past 200+ years, they really haven't changed all that much IMO. Of course, as form follows function, I can understand why.

Truth be told, I'm unsure of the intended function such knives would have served on a ship. I would hazard to speculate that the utility mirrored the general utility of any pocket knife or belt knife on land, past or present. I think of more modern rigger's knives, with their marlin spike, and the accompanying blade that is smaller than this example...

Regarding it's exact function though, I honestly have no idea. My only experience sailing was as a kid, in my late grandfather's small sailboat around San Diego harbor... Maybe one of our more nautically-knowledgeable members an shed some light on this.

Regards,

Chris