'Nando,
Great post!
It throws a lot of light on this subject. Oh, how I wish that I could read Portuguese and read that fascinating book.
Gene,
The thing that strikes me most forcibly is that the cross sectional geometry of most of these facas de ponta, as with facons, is rather poor for cutting, rendering them fit mostly thrusting. As fencing weapons they are also rather poor, so that leaves slaughtering, or the more improbable function of piercing armour. Whatever edge they had, I think was there only to facilitate entry.
I also suspect that as with the middle eastern jambiya, these knives were worn mainly as items of dress rather than something to be used in earnest, though no doubt, this happened from time to time.
On another note, you may want to see the 1953 Brazilian film Ocangaceiro, which depicts life amongs these bandits. Have a look in Youtube and you'll find bits of it.
Cheers
Chris
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