Rare folding knives for your enjoyment

fernando · 30th October 2022, 05:30 PM

Spanish half vara or 17 3/4" is about 45 cms.. Assuming this is the length with the blade unfolded, it is a big knife but, incomparably not so large as those huge things made for show off. The one posted in the last picture of #1 measures 113 cms. and we know there were larger specimens.
The example held by the First Spaniard may be a bit exuberated by the author.

Chris Evans · 1st November 2022, 07:38 AM

Hi Fernando,

Thanks for that information re Navalhas in olden times. Seems that Portugal was marching to a different drummer than Spain after the Burbons took over.

Cheers
Chris

Chris Evans · 5th November 2022, 08:50 AM

Hi Fernando

Quote:

Originally Posted by fernando

.......Assuming this is the length with the blade unfolded<Snip>

Why do you assume that the measurement refers to the blade length, as opposed to the overall length? After all folding and fixed blade knives are often described by their overall length as well as by their blade length.

Of course, we'll never know which dimension the author had in mind but if it described OL, then the blade length would be around 18cm, entirely consistent with what Forton tells us and that is the length of the majority of surviving Spanish pre 1900 navajas.

Cheers
Chris

fernando · 5th November 2022, 08:54 AM

My bad,Chris !
I meant unfolded knife, not unfolded blade; thus knife entire length

.

broadaxe · 5th November 2022, 12:53 PM

Isn't the straight one - dagger shaped - a Portuguese knife?

fernando · 5th November 2022, 01:16 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by broadaxe

Isn't the straight one - dagger shaped - a Portuguese knife?

I am afraid i don't know what you mean, Broadaxe

.
The three knives posted in #1 are all Portuguese ...

broadaxe · 6th November 2022, 11:51 AM

I was too hasty. This one - isn't it strictly Portuguese type? I have a modern made one of identical form.

fernando · 7th November 2022, 11:03 AM

We may assume that the example posted was made in Portugal but the model may not be strictly Portuguese.

6th November 2022, 11:51 AM	#7
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	I was too hasty. This one - isn't it strictly Portuguese type? I have a modern made one of identical form. Attached Images

30th October 2022, 05:30 PM	#1
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,650	Spanish half vara or 17 3/4" is about 45 cms.. Assuming this is the length with the blade unfolded, it is a big knife but, incomparably not so large as those huge things made for show off. The one posted in the last picture of #1 measures 113 cms. and we know there were larger specimens. The example held by the First Spaniard may be a bit exuberated by the author.

1st November 2022, 07:38 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 673	Hi Fernando, Thanks for that information re Navalhas in olden times. Seems that Portugal was marching to a different drummer than Spain after the Burbons took over. Cheers Chris

5th November 2022, 08:54 AM	#4
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,650	My bad,Chris ! I meant unfolded knife, not unfolded blade; thus knife entire length .

5th November 2022, 12:53 PM	#5
broadaxe Member Join Date: Nov 2008 Posts: 332	Isn't the straight one - dagger shaped - a Portuguese knife?

7th November 2022, 11:03 AM	#8
fernando Lead Moderator European Armoury Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Portugal Posts: 9,650	We may assume that the example posted was made in Portugal but the model may not be strictly Portuguese.