Santa comes late

CourseEight · 2nd January 2008, 03:33 AM

Nice!

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 03:48 AM

Thank you CourseEight, I too have enjoyed looking through your Christmas stocking, very nice and unusual array.

Gav

CourseEight · 2nd January 2008, 04:36 AM

Thanks! I'm not too well-versed as far as yours are concerned. Spanish/Mediteranean? I'd love to read of walkthrough of exactly what you have there.

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 05:08 AM

Hello again CourseEight, you are correct on both counts, I bought these out of the USA into Australia recently. I was considering onselling a couple of these, but now having them on my desk I am unsure.

The top image is a typical knife/dagger from Albacete Spain with a double edged blade of just under 20cms, brass and bone handle with a simple steel cross guard, am guessing late 1900s.

The second image is a gorgeous little razor sharp knife from the Canary Islands, I had no idea about the origins of this knife until I emailed a fellow Forumite here in Viking Sword, Chris Evans informed me of it's origins. I am particularly taken by the amazing wire inlay in the handle and the overall quality of the knife in general, it can't be seen in the photo, but there is a small engraving present on one side that looks to be a series of small dots forming a pattern, upon obtaining this knife I would now certainly buy more given the chance.

The third photo if of an Italian dagger/Stiletto that dates from about 1750-1800. The wooden or horn handle, I can't tell which almost seems fossilised or petrified it is that old, It still retains some of it's end cap although the rest of the brass that would have enshrouded the top 10mm of the handle has long since gone, only the recess where it once was is now present.

The fourth and fifth photo is why I bought this collection of knives. It is a very rare Italian/Roman brass handled folder with silver medallions. Open it measures 45cms long, dating to about 1860, is razor sharp and gorgeous to behold, I would love many more examples of this knife buy they are hard to find. the handle is very battered and against some suggestions, I am considering giving this piece a full restoration.

Thanks for your interest.

Gav

Chris Evans · 2nd January 2008, 11:34 AM

Gavin,

As already discussed by e-mail, very nice pieces.

Question: Does your Italian folder's handle have a wooden core?

Cheers
Chris

Gavin Nugent · 2nd January 2008, 11:45 AM

Hi Chris, the handle of the folder only has a timber support at the hinge pivot, about 20mm and the rest of the handle is totally hollow. I do wish they made them with full wooden cores, it would have given them more strength the withstand the ravishes of time

regards

Gav

Chris Evans · 2nd January 2008, 12:56 PM

Hi Gavin

Quote:

Originally Posted by freebooter

Hi Chris, the handle of the folder only has a timber support at the hinge pivot, about 20mm and the rest of the handle is totally hollow. I do wish they made them with full wooden cores, it would have given them more strength the withstand the ravishes of time

Yes, that is how the Italians made most of theirs. The Spanish ones that I have seen, all had a wood core right through. But you are right about a wooden core imparting more strength against dents.

Re your Canary Island Naife: I found this Spanish page, which you can translate with Babel or similar. It mentions that the term `naife' is a corruption of the English 'knife'! http://www.terra.es/personal8/jlmmor...s-canarios.htm

This link gives a very detailed account of how they are made: http://armasblancas.mforos.com/933156/5569293-naifes/

Cheers
Chris

2nd January 2008, 03:48 AM	#2
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Thanks Thank you CourseEight, I too have enjoyed looking through your Christmas stocking, very nice and unusual array. Gav

2nd January 2008, 05:08 AM	#4
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Mediteraneanis correct Hello again CourseEight, you are correct on both counts, I bought these out of the USA into Australia recently. I was considering onselling a couple of these, but now having them on my desk I am unsure. The top image is a typical knife/dagger from Albacete Spain with a double edged blade of just under 20cms, brass and bone handle with a simple steel cross guard, am guessing late 1900s. The second image is a gorgeous little razor sharp knife from the Canary Islands, I had no idea about the origins of this knife until I emailed a fellow Forumite here in Viking Sword, Chris Evans informed me of it's origins. I am particularly taken by the amazing wire inlay in the handle and the overall quality of the knife in general, it can't be seen in the photo, but there is a small engraving present on one side that looks to be a series of small dots forming a pattern, upon obtaining this knife I would now certainly buy more given the chance. The third photo if of an Italian dagger/Stiletto that dates from about 1750-1800. The wooden or horn handle, I can't tell which almost seems fossilised or petrified it is that old, It still retains some of it's end cap although the rest of the brass that would have enshrouded the top 10mm of the handle has long since gone, only the recess where it once was is now present. The fourth and fifth photo is why I bought this collection of knives. It is a very rare Italian/Roman brass handled folder with silver medallions. Open it measures 45cms long, dating to about 1860, is razor sharp and gorgeous to behold, I would love many more examples of this knife buy they are hard to find. the handle is very battered and against some suggestions, I am considering giving this piece a full restoration. Thanks for your interest. Gav

2nd January 2008, 11:45 AM	#6
Gavin Nugent Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 2,818	Folder's handle Hi Chris, the handle of the folder only has a timber support at the hinge pivot, about 20mm and the rest of the handle is totally hollow. I do wish they made them with full wooden cores, it would have given them more strength the withstand the ravishes of time regards Gav

2nd January 2008, 03:33 AM	#1
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Nice!

2nd January 2008, 04:36 AM	#3
CourseEight Member Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: Coral Springs, FL Posts: 222	Thanks! I'm not too well-versed as far as yours are concerned. Spanish/Mediteranean? I'd love to read of walkthrough of exactly what you have there.

2nd January 2008, 11:34 AM	#5
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Gavin, As already discussed by e-mail, very nice pieces. Question: Does your Italian folder's handle have a wooden core? Cheers Chris