Interesting Spanish Canary Islands Punal

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Hi Gene,




The Argentineans call Criollo (Creole) knives with a similar blade shape `Puñal', with the qualifier that the blade must have a false edge near the tip, not necessarily sharp, otherwise it becomes a mere `Cuchillo' (knife), or if deeply bellied, a `Cuchilla' (feminine gender). `Puño' in Spanish means fist or a clenched hand and generally the term is used to describe an edged knife used mainly for the thrust, held with an "ice pick" grip. How they came to assign this name to what is predominantly a working cutting knife is unknown to me. I should add that the strict usage of these terms is a relatively modern phenomena, introduced by historians and curators, as in the past the mostly illiterate population and even renowned literati, both in the Latin Americas and Spain, named their bladeware very loosely. To this day, the terms `facon', `puñal', `daga', `cuchillo/a' are used interchangeably by most who are not collectors.

From an utilitarian perspective, at least my own, the handle of naifes leave a lot to be desired on account of being round and thus reducing the feel for the edge, but I suppose that one can get use to it. As for purchase, I think that the changing cross section, reaching a maximum diameter near the centre affords a secure grip. I am inclined to believe that the spacers are purely decorative, though no doubt, as the softer ones wear down the harder ones will become more prominent further improving the grip.

Cheers
Chris

I'm happy with either designation to be honest. I think these are a bit of a missed opportunity in the colllecting field as they are rather nice.
I've had a proper Albacete punal for a while and have missed getting a few of these canary 'baby brothers' on ebay I was delighted to find this one at a boot-sale last week.
I completely see why you'd think it was the rest of the handle had worn down but its actually the other way around and the metal spacers are soft but raised. Definately there to afford better grip....Which is why I thought it was worthy of a thread.

[Chris Evans]

Hi Gene,

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I'm happy with either designation to be honest. I think these are a bit of a missed opportunity in the colllecting field as they are rather nice.
I've had a proper Albacete punal for a while and have missed getting a few of these canary 'baby brothers' on ebay I was delighted to find this one at a boot-sale last week.

I am with you on this one - They are rather eye catching.

I completely see why you'd think it was the rest of the handle had worn down but its actually the other way around and the metal spacers are soft but raised. Definately there to afford better grip....Which is why I thought it was worthy of a thread.

Given that they are hand made, at least used to be, I wonder how they intentionally achieved that effect. I mean, the oversized disks are easy enough, but were the others polished/filed down? Can you see abrasion or wear marks on the spacers in the valleys?

In that second link I gave, you can see how they are made and would appear that they aim for a smooth finish. Of course, being made one at a time they can cater for individual requests and preferences. Judging from the photos, it would seem that a number of the spacers were not abraded down - Just a thought, could it be an unfinished knife?
Cheers
Chris

[fernando]

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

...Just a thought, could it be an unfinished knife? ...

I humbly subscribe such reasoning
Fernando

[Atlantia]

Hi Gentlemen,
I must admit I did initially wonder that myself, but the other disks are polished and finished
Also the rest is finished and it has a scabbard.
You dont think this is a crude way of adding grip?
Lol, unfinished wouldn't be a problem they are soft metal disks.

[Chris Evans]

Hi Gen,

I have the feeling that this will remain one of those unresolved mysteries.

Are you going to sand the disks down and finish it?

Cheers
Chris

[Atlantia]

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Hi Gen,

I have the feeling that this will remain one of those unresolved mysteries.

Are you going to sand the disks down and finish it?

Cheers
Chris

I'm Undecided Chris!
I can't imagine its not deliberate to have these disks there but they are weird for sure....
hmmm, not a decision I'lll rush

Regards
Gene

[celtan]

Hi,

There are lots of spanish terms for the small armas blancas.
The facon tends to be a larger, more brutish type of field blade.
Cuchillo is a generic term, that can be applied to all, even to cooking/eating utensils.
A daga/dagger suggest a more elaborate affair, more knightly and developed, elegant even, and usually sporting a developed cross guard. They are highly personalized.
A puñal is virtually any fighting blade that can be held in a fist, not refined, its crossguard being either very small or absent.
The navajas and cuchillas (feminine terms) apply only to folding knives, albeit they can be of herculean dimensions.
Me'self, I highly dislike the traditional spanish knives in general. like the Albacetes. Their brute shape seems to infer a decidedly ruffianish nature. OTOH, I find the shape of the old swiss daggers extremely attractive.
I guess that beauty is in the eyes of the beholder...: )

Best
Manolo

Originally Posted by Atlantia

I'm Undecided Chris!
I can't imagine its not deliberate to have these disks there but they are weird for sure....
hmmm, not a decision I'lll rush

Regards
Gene