Spanish Albacete Dagger.

[DaveA]

Hello All,

Pardon me if I've missed it, but I have not found a satisfactory explanation for the cutouts and holes in the blades of these knives. At one time there was a suggestion that it had something to do with sail making. At another time, a place to put poison, or a mount for jewels -- yet no evidence for any theory that I could find.

I showed my knives to an expert sailor, familiar with the history of the sailmaking craft, and he could not fathom a reason for the design. He was very concerned about the sharp points and edges on the knives near valuable fabric.

Here are two pictures of my Albacete puñals. One is considerably larger but other than that they are VERY similar, EXCEPT
… note the arrows pointing to two locations on each knife. In one case holes, in the other, no holes.

What is the explanation?!??!?

Best Regards,

Dave A.