Knife with a Spanish Influence?

Ian · 14th November 2025, 07:27 AM

Hi Rob and Lee,

Interesting knife, Lee. I agree that there is a Spanish flavor to it. The short brass cross-guard with terminal balls plus a horn hilt is very consistent with a Spanish origin.

The sheath is reminiscent of Philippine models. However, the decoration at the throat of the sheath does not look Filipino to me. Rob has suggested a northern Luzon origin, and I think he is referring to Ilokano sheaths that are often black. But this is not an Ilokano sheath--the style is wrong IMHO. I think the motifs on th sheath and the treatment of the sheath's tip are more likely Mexican colonial in style. The fact that the knife does not fit the sheath makes the sheath somewhat moot, and perhaps culturally unrelated to the knife.

"Spanish colonial" seems a good designation for the knife.

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14th November 2025, 07:27 AM	#5
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,637	Hi Rob and Lee, Interesting knife, Lee. I agree that there is a Spanish flavor to it. The short brass cross-guard with terminal balls plus a horn hilt is very consistent with a Spanish origin. The sheath is reminiscent of Philippine models. However, the decoration at the throat of the sheath does not look Filipino to me. Rob has suggested a northern Luzon origin, and I think he is referring to Ilokano sheaths that are often black. But this is not an Ilokano sheath--the style is wrong IMHO. I think the motifs on th sheath and the treatment of the sheath's tip are more likely Mexican colonial in style. The fact that the knife does not fit the sheath makes the sheath somewhat moot, and perhaps culturally unrelated to the knife. "Spanish colonial" seems a good designation for the knife.