gaucho knives

[Chris Evans]

Hi Gonzalo,

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

I wrotte in the San Martín sabre thread. I´m Yataghan there.

Not knowing that Yathanag is your good self, I was mightily impressed with your contributions to that thread. For the readers of this forum, the discussion in question was bout the sabre of the great Sth American General, Jose de San Martin, used during the wars of independence in the early decades of the 19th century. I should add that Gonzalo not only knows Creole knives, but also writes with an excellent command on the subjects of eastern swords, Wootz and Damascus steels.

I can give you my modest support to help you with your thread over there.

Thank you, but I have already corresponded with him briefly on a matter to do with a `Verijero' . And if I may boast a little, also have a copy of his Dagas de Plata with his handwritten dedication and autograph.

In fact, I think I´m going to send him a message with a link to this thread.

Now, if you could entice him to write something here, that would be truly wonderful.

Cheers
Chris

[Gonzalo G]

Chris, thank you for your kind words. I agree with your statements about criollo knives. Tough it seems that the puñal criollo and the verijero, unornated, is still actually used by the country laboureers as a daily tool, but not the facones and dagas. Although I can´t be personally certain of this, those are references given by argentineans.

I asked Abel for an article for this forum about this subject, and he generously accepted my petition. I will be honored to be the conduct to upload it on the forum, as Abel is troubled now with his new book. It has to be noted, also, that the situation in Argentina is very difficult right now, with social and political conflict reaching a new peak. There are clouds of serious violence over there, and many are afraid of a civil conflict of great proportions.

My regards

Gonzalo

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by Gonzalo G

Chris, thank you for your kind words. I agree with your statements about criollo knives. Tough it seems that the puñal criollo and the verijero, unornated, is still actually used by the country laboureers as a daily tool, but not the facones and dagas. Although I can´t be personally certain of this, those are references given by argentineans.

You are absolutely right, and even 50yrs ago this was the case. However, if we substitute plain wooden or plastic handles for the ornate silver ones, we end up with common kitchen/butcher knives, perfectly suited to work on an cattle `estancia', albeit with a hint of a false edge and worn in a sheath. Save festive occasions, during my travels, I never saw a `campesino' (man of the land) would be gaucho with anything other than one of these, except in the far north, where machetes are used a fair bit.

Of course, on national holidays and Día de la Tradición (a day honouring the old ways) there are endless parades all over the country of decked out campesinos with ornate puñals and facons, furnished with cheap German silver, worn in the traditional manner, all this overseen by the local `estancia' owners and sundry dignitaries similarly decked out, but with far more upmarket knives and tailor made costumes . Once the holiday is over, all this apparel goes back into the cupboard.

Even Domenech, in one of his books, concedes that nowadays, with the ornate Creole knife the blade is secondary to its appearance, so this tells us what it is all about.

I asked Abel for an article for this forum about this subject, and he generously accepted my petition.

Great news, and allow me to thank you on behalf of all of us. It will make an extremely valuable contribution to this most interesting variety of knives.

Cheers
Chris
PS Sent you a PM