Cuchillo Canario with a Visayan twist ???

drac2k · 2nd September 2014, 08:55 PM

I recently acquired this very large knife, the blade being approx. 14.5" x almost 3" at it's widest.The handle and the scabbard had a Visayan look to them, but the blade had a Mediterranean appearance ,either Spanish or Italian.Upon further research, I found the exact blade type in the Canary Islands called a "cuchillio canario." The Canary Islands were under Spanish rule at one time and the local economy depended on cash crops such as sugar, etc.as well as being a port of call for the Spanish galleons for provisions .During the history of the Island, there were several mass migrations due to poor economy ; they went to Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines among other Spanish possessions.
This might be a Philippine knife type that I am unaware of(very possible),but I think it could be the blending of cultures, into a hybrid .

Sajen · 2nd September 2014, 10:02 PM

Hi Drac2k,

it is a Visayan Plamenko, an utility knife. Very nice one, congrats, I still looking for a similar nice example. Do a little search by keyword "plamenko" and you will find some others.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 2nd September 2014, 10:19 PM

Here two examples from ebay which I have seen recently. One seems to be a newer but very fancy one, the other seems to have a similar age like yours.

Ian · 2nd September 2014, 10:40 PM

Here is one that I picked up a couple of years ago. It has a more deeply clipped blade than most. Length 11.5 inches: blade 7.0 inches, hilt 4.5 inches. Definitely made for a small hand, perhaps for a woman.

The so-called Spanish notch is found on knives among several former Spanish colonies, including the Canary Islands, Philippines and Argentina--probably more if we looked hard.

Ian.

Battara · 2nd September 2014, 11:21 PM

I agree with everyone else - definitely a Visayan plamenko.

drac2k · 3rd September 2014, 03:19 AM

Thanks everyone for the information; it looks like I've got a plamenko.

Robert · 3rd September 2014, 07:24 AM

Might as well add one more for good luck.

One thing I would like to add is that with a 14-1/2 inch blade yours is the largest example that I have ever seen or even heard of.

My congratulations to you on a very nice find.

Best,
Robert

drac2k · 3rd September 2014, 01:47 PM

Thanks Robert, you have a nice example as well .

2nd September 2014, 08:55 PM	#1
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Cuchillo Canario with a Visayan twist ??? I recently acquired this very large knife, the blade being approx. 14.5" x almost 3" at it's widest.The handle and the scabbard had a Visayan look to them, but the blade had a Mediterranean appearance ,either Spanish or Italian.Upon further research, I found the exact blade type in the Canary Islands called a "cuchillio canario." The Canary Islands were under Spanish rule at one time and the local economy depended on cash crops such as sugar, etc.as well as being a port of call for the Spanish galleons for provisions .During the history of the Island, there were several mass migrations due to poor economy ; they went to Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines among other Spanish possessions. This might be a Philippine knife type that I am unaware of(very possible),but I think it could be the blending of cultures, into a hybrid . Attached Images

2nd September 2014, 10:19 PM	#3
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,468	Here two examples from ebay which I have seen recently. One seems to be a newer but very fancy one, the other seems to have a similar age like yours. Attached Images

2nd September 2014, 10:40 PM	#4
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,023	Here is one that I picked up a couple of years ago. It has a more deeply clipped blade than most. Length 11.5 inches: blade 7.0 inches, hilt 4.5 inches. Definitely made for a small hand, perhaps for a woman. The so-called Spanish notch is found on knives among several former Spanish colonies, including the Canary Islands, Philippines and Argentina--probably more if we looked hard. Ian. Attached Images

3rd September 2014, 07:24 AM	#7
Robert EAAF Staff Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Centerville, Kansas Posts: 2,196	Might as well add one more for good luck. One thing I would like to add is that with a 14-1/2 inch blade yours is the largest example that I have ever seen or even heard of. My congratulations to you on a very nice find. Best, Robert Attached Images Last edited by Robert; 3rd September 2014 at 09:21 AM.

2nd September 2014, 10:02 PM	#2
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,468	Hi Drac2k, it is a Visayan Plamenko, an utility knife. Very nice one, congrats, I still looking for a similar nice example. Do a little search by keyword "plamenko" and you will find some others. Regards, Detlef

2nd September 2014, 11:21 PM	#5
Battara EAAF Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Louisville, KY Posts: 7,139	I agree with everyone else - definitely a Visayan plamenko.

3rd September 2014, 03:19 AM	#6
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Thanks everyone for the information; it looks like I've got a plamenko.

3rd September 2014, 01:47 PM	#8
drac2k Member Join Date: Jun 2013 Posts: 1,174	Thanks Robert, you have a nice example as well .