Reworked corvo

Ian · 14th May 2018, 04:07 PM

This one finished recently online and was described as a "Canary Island knife," presumably because of the multi-colored stacked hilt. The seller hedged his bets by also including "Spanish colonial," "Mediterranean dirk," and "Bowie" in the description.

The hilt most closely resembles those found on older corvo, and I believe that this knife is a reshaped corvo, possibly one that suffered a broken or damaged tip. For comparison is shown a web picture of a corvo said to date from the War of the Pacific. The War of the Pacific was a nasty real estate dispute in which Chile fought against Peru and Bolivia (1879–1884) over part of the Atacama Desert, which Chile eventually won. The corvo figured prominently in that conflict and became much feared for the devastating wounds it caused.

Ian.

.

Mel H · 3rd June 2018, 04:28 PM

A Corvo that I have, for comparison.

ariel · 3rd June 2018, 08:09 PM

Ian and Mel,
What are the lengths of the straight parts of the blades of your convos?

Sajen · 3rd June 2018, 08:37 PM

Here my new acquired corvo, it's 9 1/4" long overall with a blade from 4 3/4".

Sajen · 3rd June 2018, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mel H

A Corvo that I have, for comparison.

Hello Mel,

can you please add a picture where you can see the complete knife?

Thank you,
Detlef

Mel H · 3rd June 2018, 08:51 PM

Ariel and Sajen, The only other photo that I have at the moment is too large to upload. I'll sort it out this week and take another photo at a lower resolution and take some measurements.
Mel.

Ian · 4th June 2018, 05:11 AM

Ariel:

Neither of the knives I show is mine. The length of the spine on the refashioned example is just under 3 inches, as shown by the accompanying ruler used as a scale. Corvo range in size considerably. I have examples with blades as short as 3.75 inches and as long as 8.25 inches. In my experience these are definitely knives and not short swords.

Sajen:

Nice example of an older version. Perhaps late 19th C but probably early 20th C.

Ian.

Sajen · 4th June 2018, 03:59 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

Sajen:

Nice example of an older version. Perhaps late 19th C but probably early 20th C.

Thank you Ian!

Regards,
Detlef

Mel H · 5th June 2018, 07:58 PM

A couple more pics as promised.

Sajen · 1st July 2018, 11:44 AM

Just have received another corvo, it is a little bit smaller with 8" as the other one.

Sajen · 22nd August 2018, 02:26 PM

The both side by side.

Sajen · 22nd August 2018, 02:35 PM

And a third one which entered the collection recently!

Sajen · 23rd August 2018, 03:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

The hilt most closely resembles those found on older corvo, and I believe that this knife is a reshaped corvo, possibly one that suffered a broken or damaged tip.

Hi Ian,

After looking again to this knife in question I don't think that it is a reshaped corvo, the spine look to straight to my eyes, when it would be indeed a reshaped corvo it would has been a rather big one.
And since I've bought the three examples shown in up for my collection I've done some research and think that I've seen a very similar knife shown with some other corvos but sadly can't find it anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

Ian · 24th August 2018, 01:58 AM

Hi Detlef.

I'm pretty sure the blade has been reworked but you could be correct. It would need to have been a large corvo to start with. What tilts me towards a reworked end of a corvo is the back of the knife at the tip. I think you can see a few mm of the remnants of the original down-curved spine--the deep clip does not go all the way to the point but ends a little way up the spine. That seems a sign to me that the tip has been reworked.

Ian.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Ian,

After looking again to this knife in question I don't think that it is a reshaped corvo, the spine look to straight to my eyes, when it would be indeed a reshaped corvo it would has been a rather big one.
And since I've bought the three examples shown in up for my collection I've done some research and think that I've seen a very similar knife shown with some other corvos but sadly can't find it anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

not2sharp · 31st August 2018, 08:17 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sajen

Hi Ian,

...I've done some research and think that I've seen a very similar knife shown with some other corvos but sadly can't find it anymore.

Regards,
Detlef

Was this the one that you remembered?

n2s

Sajen · 1st September 2018, 01:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by not2sharp

Was this the one that you remembered?

n2s

No, sorry, don't think so, it was pictured with other corvos together.

Regards,
Detlef

not2sharp · 2nd September 2018, 05:51 AM

There are more shown in this old thread.

http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=spain

n2s

Sajen · 2nd September 2018, 11:47 AM

I've found it but my remembering wasn't correct, it wasn't shown with other corvos together. But it is very similar to the one shown by Ian: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=canary+island

Ian · 4th September 2018, 12:49 PM

I agree Detlef. Another reworked corvo. The bolster and stacked hilt are clearly indicative of its origins. The curious shape to the tip is also present on this one, reflecting the downward curve on the original blade.

Ian · 12th September 2018, 08:52 PM

I (finally) figured out how to make curved lines on Pics using my new graphics program (Affinity Pro)--not the most intuitive one I have used but it works well when I finally figure out how to do stuff.

Anyway, here is my guess at what the profile of the corvo in the first post on this thread would have been. The original blade length would have been between 5 and 6 inches in my estimation, well within the known length for these knives. While there are a number of bolster designs for these knives, it may not be coincidental that the knife shown by Detlef with a reworked blade and the one in the original post of this thread have identical bolsters. It's possible they were brothers made with similar, poorly forged blades--hence the breakage and reworking of the tips. Just a thought--we will never know for sure.

Ian.
.

Sajen · 28th February 2019, 10:20 AM

Some time ago entered this dagger the collection, it was a gift from a very good friend, it could be another reworked corvo but it could be worked also like we see it now. Without doubt it's a Chilean dagger, the stagged hilt is in my opinion the giveaway.

Ian · 2nd March 2019, 02:40 AM

Hi Detlef:

I agree, a Chilean hilt and bolster, but the central positioning of the bolster on the blade suggests to me that this might not be a reworked corvo.

Ian

Sajen · 2nd March 2019, 09:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ian

I agree, a Chilean hilt and bolster, but the central positioning of the bolster on the blade suggests to me that this might not be a reworked corvo.

Hi Ian,

exactly what I think by self. Some time ago was listed by epray another straight dagger from Chile, this one with guard but it went to a very high price which I wasn't willing to pay.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st April 2020, 03:57 PM

The next corvo in my collection! Only a seller picture, the blade is clean now and the handle polished.

ariel · 21st April 2020, 04:40 PM

There is a whole family of similar knives with the sharp working edge being on the concave side of the blade. Most of them are “oriental”: Yemeni Janbia, Arab-Persian khanjar, Sumatran karambit, Indian bank. With a little bit of imagination one can suggest some common origin.

But what about Chilean corvo? Was it a descendant of Maghribi koummya (khanjar) brought by the Spaniards all the way to South America or just a parallel development?
Taking into account the “ Mediterranean” handle I tend to lean toward the former.

Sajen · 21st April 2020, 07:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

There is a whole family of similar knives with the sharp working edge being on the concave side of the blade. Most of them are “oriental”: Yemeni Janbia, Arab-Persian khanjar, Sumatran karambit, Indian bank. With a little bit of imagination one can suggest some common origin.

But what about Chilean corvo? Was it a descendant of Maghribi koummya (khanjar) brought by the Spaniards all the way to South America or just a parallel development?
Taking into account the “ Mediterranean” handle I tend to lean toward the former.

Hello Ariel,
I don't think so, it was rather a farmers knife in old times similar to the German hippe. See also what Wikipedia tell us: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Corvo_(knife)
Attached is a picture from European antique Hippen, taken from the net.

Regards,
Detlef

Sajen · 21st April 2020, 07:39 PM

Another, more meaningful picture

ariel · 22nd April 2020, 05:54 AM

Wow!
Never heard of them.
Although in retrospect I should have recalled Roman sica and pruning knives.

Thanks for a new way of thinking!

Sajen · 22nd April 2020, 11:03 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ariel

Wow!
Never heard of them.
Although in retrospect I should have recalled Roman sica and pruning knives.

Thanks for a new way of thinking!

Hello Ariel,

The thank have to went to Ian!

All what is known about this knives he write down once in this thread: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=corvo

I've only tried to make it more visible by showing a in the complete world under many different names known knife used as tool.
That such tools can develop to a weapon happened not only in Chile, look to Indonesia, Madura where the celurit has a similar devolopment: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...hlight=celurit

Regards,
Detlef

14th May 2018, 04:07 PM	#1
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Reworked corvo This one finished recently online and was described as a "Canary Island knife," presumably because of the multi-colored stacked hilt. The seller hedged his bets by also including "Spanish colonial," "Mediterranean dirk," and "Bowie" in the description. The hilt most closely resembles those found on older corvo, and I believe that this knife is a reshaped corvo, possibly one that suffered a broken or damaged tip. For comparison is shown a web picture of a corvo said to date from the War of the Pacific. The War of the Pacific was a nasty real estate dispute in which Chile fought against Peru and Bolivia (1879–1884) over part of the Atacama Desert, which Chile eventually won. The corvo figured prominently in that conflict and became much feared for the devastating wounds it caused. Ian. . Attached Images

3rd June 2018, 04:28 PM	#2
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	A Corvo that I have, for comparison. Attached Images

3rd June 2018, 08:37 PM	#4
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Here my new acquired corvo, it's 9 1/4" long overall with a blade from 4 3/4". Attached Images

4th June 2018, 05:11 AM	#7
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Ariel: Neither of the knives I show is mine. The length of the spine on the refashioned example is just under 3 inches, as shown by the accompanying ruler used as a scale. Corvo range in size considerably. I have examples with blades as short as 3.75 inches and as long as 8.25 inches. In my experience these are definitely knives and not short swords. Sajen: Nice example of an older version. Perhaps late 19th C but probably early 20th C. Ian. Last edited by Ian; 4th June 2018 at 06:39 AM.

5th June 2018, 07:58 PM	#9
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	A couple more pics as promised. Attached Images

3rd June 2018, 08:09 PM	#3
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Ian and Mel, What are the lengths of the straight parts of the blades of your convos?

3rd June 2018, 08:51 PM	#6
Mel H Member Join Date: Oct 2017 Location: North East England. Posts: 107	Ariel and Sajen, The only other photo that I have at the moment is too large to upload. I'll sort it out this week and take another photo at a lower resolution and take some measurements. Mel.

1st July 2018, 11:44 AM	#10
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Just have received another corvo, it is a little bit smaller with 8" as the other one. Attached Images

22nd August 2018, 02:26 PM	#11
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	The both side by side. Attached Images

22nd August 2018, 02:35 PM	#12
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	And a third one which entered the collection recently! Attached Images

2nd September 2018, 05:51 AM	#17
not2sharp Member Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 210	There are more shown in this old thread. http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=spain n2s

2nd September 2018, 11:47 AM	#18
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	I've found it but my remembering wasn't correct, it wasn't shown with other corvos together. But it is very similar to the one shown by Ian: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...=canary+island Attached Images

4th September 2018, 12:49 PM	#19
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	I agree Detlef. Another reworked corvo. The bolster and stacked hilt are clearly indicative of its origins. The curious shape to the tip is also present on this one, reflecting the downward curve on the original blade.

12th September 2018, 08:52 PM	#20
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	I (finally) figured out how to make curved lines on Pics using my new graphics program (Affinity Pro)--not the most intuitive one I have used but it works well when I finally figure out how to do stuff. Anyway, here is my guess at what the profile of the corvo in the first post on this thread would have been. The original blade length would have been between 5 and 6 inches in my estimation, well within the known length for these knives. While there are a number of bolster designs for these knives, it may not be coincidental that the knife shown by Detlef with a reworked blade and the one in the original post of this thread have identical bolsters. It's possible they were brothers made with similar, poorly forged blades--hence the breakage and reworking of the tips. Just a thought--we will never know for sure. Ian. . Attached Images Last edited by Ian; 12th September 2018 at 09:20 PM.

28th February 2019, 10:20 AM	#21
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Some time ago entered this dagger the collection, it was a gift from a very good friend, it could be another reworked corvo but it could be worked also like we see it now. Without doubt it's a Chilean dagger, the stagged hilt is in my opinion the giveaway. Attached Images

2nd March 2019, 02:40 AM	#22
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,203	Hi Detlef: I agree, a Chilean hilt and bolster, but the central positioning of the bolster on the blade suggests to me that this might not be a reworked corvo. Ian Last edited by Ian; 2nd March 2019 at 03:10 AM.

21st April 2020, 03:57 PM	#24
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	The next corvo in my collection! Only a seller picture, the blade is clean now and the handle polished. Attached Images

21st April 2020, 04:40 PM	#25
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	There is a whole family of similar knives with the sharp working edge being on the concave side of the blade. Most of them are “oriental”: Yemeni Janbia, Arab-Persian khanjar, Sumatran karambit, Indian bank. With a little bit of imagination one can suggest some common origin. But what about Chilean corvo? Was it a descendant of Maghribi koummya (khanjar) brought by the Spaniards all the way to South America or just a parallel development? Taking into account the “ Mediterranean” handle I tend to lean toward the former.

21st April 2020, 07:39 PM	#27
Sajen Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Location: Germany, Dortmund Posts: 8,781	Another, more meaningful picture Attached Images

22nd April 2020, 05:54 AM	#28
ariel Member Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: Ann Arbor, MI Posts: 5,503	Wow! Never heard of them. Although in retrospect I should have recalled Roman sica and pruning knives. Thanks for a new way of thinking!