Two Brazilian Faca de Ponta for sharing

[Sajen]

Have recently acquired these two small Brazilian daggers called Faca de Ponta (pointed knives), they coming from Northeastern region of Brazil and also called "Facas Nordestinas".
More information can be seen here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showpo...8&postcount=34
I think that the both knives are from the first half of the 20th century.
Here the pictures from the first one, sadly without it's leather scabbard. It's 10" long overall with a blade from 6 1/4".

[Sajen]

Here the second example, the blade is a little bit over 5" long.

The pictures are from my friend Robert who also has cleaned the both knives. Enjoy.

[Dajak]

I like the second one.


Dajak

[Sajen]

Thank you Benny!

Regards,
Detlef

[motan]

Thank for posting this Sajen. I have been looking at similar daggers more than once and had no idea what they were. If I had to guess I would have said North Africa because of the general shape, slightly similar to Bou Sa'adi daggers and the extended pommel, also seen in some Tuareg daggers. South American daggers are not so widely known (except Gaucho knifes) and I have seen several Chilean Corvos (see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=Corvo) sold as Indian daggers.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by motan

Thank for posting this Sajen. I have been looking at similar daggers more than once and had no idea what they were. If I had to guess I would have said North Africa because of the general shape, slightly similar to Bou Sa'adi daggers and the extended pommel, also seen in some Tuareg daggers. South American daggers are not so widely known (except Gaucho knifes) and I have seen several Chilean Corvos (see http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ighlight=Corvo) sold as Indian daggers.

Yes, you are correct, this knives are often mislabeled. I think that the derivation of this knives and also from the corvo coming from Mediterranean daggers, the stacked handle construction you can find for example also by Canarian knives (see my own example), the often offset handle is an other indicator IMVHO. Therefore also the relationship to North African daggers like the from you mentioned bou sa'adi daggers, you can see the connection to European Mediterranean daggers (offset handle and bladeform).
Attached a picture from my Canarian knife and my Corsican dagger in comparison with the first example from here, I think the connection is clearly to seen.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Here a new member of the growing family, it's a gift from my friend Robert. Maybe he will be so kind to add the measurements of this little fellow.

[Robert]

The above dagger measures 8-1/2 inches overall with a 5 inch blade. The hilt on this piece is composed of sections of turned stone (onyx, agate or quarts) that are separated by thin brass plates. It also has av turned brass spacer, butt cap and ferrules. All in all there was quite a bit of work involved in the making of these daggers.

Best,
Robert

[kronckew]

faca were also given out as advertising gifts: ~7in. blade

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

The above dagger measures 8-1/2 inches overall with a 5 inch blade. The hilt on this piece is composed of sections of turned stone (onyx, agate or quarts) that are separated by thin brass plates. It also has av turned brass spacer, butt cap and ferrules. All in all there was quite a bit of work involved in the making of these daggers.

Best,
Robert

Thank you Robert!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kronckew

faca were also given out as advertising gifts: ~7in. blade

Thank you Wayne for posting your example. Would you agree that it is a mid. 20th century example? And what is the handle material?

Regards,
Detlef

[kronckew]

yes, the grip is a coloured plastic, metal parts are german silver except the pommel cap is brass. blade is stainless.

'piloto' appears to be a type of south american tobacco used in premium cigars.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by kronckew

yes, the grip is a coloured plastic, metal parts are german silver except the pommel cap is brass. blade is stainless.

'piloto' appears to be a type of south american tobacco used in premium cigars.

Thank you Wayne! I've seen this type also marked with "Solingen" and "Piloto" so it seems that some of them are manufactured in Germany.

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

A new family member, a rather large one with over 39 cm or nearly 15 1/2"
very well and heavy worked, I think from the late 19th century. Handle fittings are from horn and brass.

[Sajen]

Here a update what I have assembled until now. Many thanks to Robert, Russel and Motan who has helped to find some from these!

[motan]

Hi Detlef, Nice group you have there, showing different size, blade types and hilts. Congrats

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by motan

Hi Detlef, Nice group you have there, showing different size, blade types and hilts. Congrats

Hi Eytan,

Thank you! Yes, the diversity of this daggers is great, handle material I've found until now is horn, bone (partly coloured), stone and early plastics. There seems to be also a great diversity of blade shapes like seen by the last picture. And I think that the older ones tend to be longer.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Robert]

One thing about these daggers that totally surprised me is that they are so well built and sturdy. I would have thought that because of how thin and delicate they look they would be easily bent or broken and of little use except for opening letters. To my surprise when handling these I quickly realized that they were meant for business and excel as a stabbing weapon. To simulate a victims clothing, skin and flesh I placed a piece of cloth over a piece of thin leather and then wrapped it around our Sunday roast while still raw. Needless to say the wife was not impressed with my little experiment. I was shocked to find just how easy it was and how little effort it had taken to push the blade into this clear to the hilt. Beautiful, but deadly.

Best,
Robert

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Robert

To simulate a victims clothing, skin and flesh I placed a piece of cloth over a piece of thin leather and then wrapped it around our Sunday roast while still raw. Needless to say the wife was not impressed with my little experiment. I was shocked to find just how easy it was and how little effort it had taken to push the blade into this clear to the hilt. Beautiful, but deadly.

Hello Robert,

Please say sorry to your wife that one of my facas kill her Sunday roast! But yes, the only example which I am able to handle (the example from post #14) confirm exactly what you have described, a very deadly dagger. Here a picture which I found by google which seems to show a faca fight.

Best regards,
Detlef

[Robert]

Please say sorry to your wife that one of my facas kill her Sunday roast!

Not to worry Detlef. After 45 years of marriage she is quite used to seeing me do things like this and now only shakes her head and smiles as long as I have cleaned and sanitized the blade beforehand. Counting from the right it was the fifth and sixth daggers that I used for this test.

[F. de Luzon]

What an impressive collection! Those daggers look dangerous but beautiful.

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by F. de Luzon

What an impressive collection!

Thank you Fernando! They were all collected in this year.

Regards,
Detlef

[Hombre]

Detlef, love your wonderful daggers!
Wish that I could have at least, one too.

Best,
Stefan
Sweden

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by Hombre

Wish that I could have at least, one too.

Thank you Stefan! Keep your eyes open, they pop up from time to time by epray and elsewhere. Good luck!

Best regards,
Detlef