Odd folder

Chris Evans · 4th July 2017, 04:31 AM

Richard,

You have a beauty with that knife! Its overall shape screams Spanish but the detail work does not. Could be the work of an expatriate Spanish cutler who, like many, went to France and Italy due to the harassment by authorities of those who pursued this trade.

As an aside, small stubby Spanish navajas of this shape nowadays are known as `navaja capadora'

As pointed out by Ibrahiim, the detail work has a strong resemblance to those Italian specimens he posted. As well, the lock is atypical for Spain.

It could have been made possibly in Italy, France, or elsewhere, but in the Spanish style. I have a 20th century navaja that looks very Spanish, but is more ornate and unusually well made and which was manufactured in France.

I had a quick look in Forton's book to see if I could identify the maker's logo/brand but no luck. Will have another look in my others books later on in the day.

Cheers
Chris

Chris Evans · 4th July 2017, 06:37 AM

Richard,

I think that your navaja could be French. The attached book cover is illustrated with one similar to yours and the author attributes it to 19th century France.

Unfortunately, I had no luck with the maker's logo.

Cheers
Chris

Gonzalo G · 4th July 2017, 02:49 PM

"Navaja capadora" originally meant an instrument used by the sheperds to cut the testicles of the male livestock, though of course it also had other uses. Which could have derived to the other meaning: to castrate a man in the defense of the honour by a woman. To this day, small knives are used to castrate the livestock.
Regards

4th July 2017, 04:31 AM	#1
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Richard, You have a beauty with that knife! Its overall shape screams Spanish but the detail work does not. Could be the work of an expatriate Spanish cutler who, like many, went to France and Italy due to the harassment by authorities of those who pursued this trade. As an aside, small stubby Spanish navajas of this shape nowadays are known as `navaja capadora' As pointed out by Ibrahiim, the detail work has a strong resemblance to those Italian specimens he posted. As well, the lock is atypical for Spain. It could have been made possibly in Italy, France, or elsewhere, but in the Spanish style. I have a 20th century navaja that looks very Spanish, but is more ornate and unusually well made and which was manufactured in France. I had a quick look in Forton's book to see if I could identify the maker's logo/brand but no luck. Will have another look in my others books later on in the day. Cheers Chris Last edited by Chris Evans; 4th July 2017 at 06:38 AM.

4th July 2017, 06:37 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Richard, I think that your navaja could be French. The attached book cover is illustrated with one similar to yours and the author attributes it to 19th century France. Unfortunately, I had no luck with the maker's logo. Cheers Chris Attached Images

4th July 2017, 02:49 PM	#3
Gonzalo G Member Join Date: Apr 2007 Location: Nothern Mexico Posts: 458	"Navaja capadora" originally meant an instrument used by the sheperds to cut the testicles of the male livestock, though of course it also had other uses. Which could have derived to the other meaning: to castrate a man in the defense of the honour by a woman. To this day, small knives are used to castrate the livestock. Regards