Inscriptions in Navajas, for Chris and who else

Chris Evans · 8th November 2007, 12:39 AM

Hi Gav,

I saw that paper quite some time ago. Despite that it contains some good information, I consider it misleading and wasn't overly impressed with his sources To be fair, there is precious little in English on the subject, save for one of Forton's books that carries captions to the photos in both languages.

There are many even in Spain who are so keen to mythologize the navaja as to ascribe its origins way back in time. I for myself side with Forton who to my mind convincingly argues that the navaja could only make its appearance after the Burbons ascended to the Spanish throne and out of fear of rebellion banned all effective weapons. Before that time, Spaniards had far better weapons at their disposal. This is not to say that razors and similar folders were not in use before 1700, for they were, but rather that a recognizable cut and thrust clasp knife just did not appear in Europe until after that time.

As an aside, I'll mention that the prevailing Spanish view is that they invented the navaja and after the Bourbons chased the best cutlers out of the country, they took their craft to neighbouring lands. I find this quite credible, because the early Italian clasp knives that I have seen are almost replicas of the Spanish ones, albeit of better quality.

Cheers
Chris

Chris Evans · 8th November 2007, 03:25 AM

A Spanish cutlery maufacturer's workshop at the turn of the century. Also the traditional tools of the cutler which they still largely use, but only for the making of custom navajas. Taken from "Introduccion Al Estudio De La Cuchilleria Artistica De Albacete", by Ferrer

Chris Evans · 8th November 2007, 03:27 AM

A modern custom navaja cutler at work with his archaic drill. Yet they turn out masterpieces like this, which he was working on. Taken from "Introduccion Al Estudio De La Cuchilleria Artistica De Albacete", by Ferrer

Chris Evans · 8th November 2007, 04:44 AM

Two depictions of the much celebrated Spanish duel with navajas and its Argentinean equivalent. In all instances a cape or jacket is used for parrying. Because of less stringent legislation against fixed blade knives, in the Latin Americas the navaja found no favour at all. Illustrations taken from Abel Doemenech's "Dagas de Plata".

Chris Evans · 8th November 2007, 05:18 AM

Hi Folks,

At this link you can see how a traditional navaja is made. Ufortunately the text is in Spanish, but the pictures pretty much say it all. Note how all the tools are quite archaic. It is because such labour intensive methods are used, that a traditional navaja costs so much and why by the end of the 19th century the Spanish cutlery industry was completely uncompetitive against its European counterparts

http://www.dipualba.es/publicaciones...ciano%20n8.pdf

Cheers
Chris

Ypoznan · 10th December 2011, 03:23 AM

Witam

I would like to add information consistent with the title of this topic. Based on several studies and with the help of my Spanish friends, I managed to collect some inscriptions which were placed on Navajas. Spanish translation of the inscription is the Polish language, but the page you will find translator, with the performance of which automatically translate the text into English.

http://www.navaja.pl/artykuly/80-ins...h-navajas.html

8th November 2007, 03:25 AM	#2
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	A Spanish cutlery maufacturer's workshop at the turn of the century. Also the traditional tools of the cutler which they still largely use, but only for the making of custom navajas. Taken from "Introduccion Al Estudio De La Cuchilleria Artistica De Albacete", by Ferrer Attached Images

8th November 2007, 03:27 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	A modern custom navaja cutler at work with his archaic drill. Yet they turn out masterpieces like this, which he was working on. Taken from "Introduccion Al Estudio De La Cuchilleria Artistica De Albacete", by Ferrer Attached Images

8th November 2007, 04:44 AM	#4
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Two depictions of the much celebrated Spanish duel with navajas and its Argentinean equivalent. In all instances a cape or jacket is used for parrying. Because of less stringent legislation against fixed blade knives, in the Latin Americas the navaja found no favour at all. Illustrations taken from Abel Doemenech's "Dagas de Plata". Attached Images

8th November 2007, 05:18 AM	#5
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Folks, At this link you can see how a traditional navaja is made. Ufortunately the text is in Spanish, but the pictures pretty much say it all. Note how all the tools are quite archaic. It is because such labour intensive methods are used, that a traditional navaja costs so much and why by the end of the 19th century the Spanish cutlery industry was completely uncompetitive against its European counterparts http://www.dipualba.es/publicaciones...ciano%20n8.pdf Cheers Chris Last edited by Chris Evans; 8th November 2007 at 10:44 AM.

8th November 2007, 12:39 AM	#1
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Gav, I saw that paper quite some time ago. Despite that it contains some good information, I consider it misleading and wasn't overly impressed with his sources To be fair, there is precious little in English on the subject, save for one of Forton's books that carries captions to the photos in both languages. There are many even in Spain who are so keen to mythologize the navaja as to ascribe its origins way back in time. I for myself side with Forton who to my mind convincingly argues that the navaja could only make its appearance after the Burbons ascended to the Spanish throne and out of fear of rebellion banned all effective weapons. Before that time, Spaniards had far better weapons at their disposal. This is not to say that razors and similar folders were not in use before 1700, for they were, but rather that a recognizable cut and thrust clasp knife just did not appear in Europe until after that time. As an aside, I'll mention that the prevailing Spanish view is that they invented the navaja and after the Bourbons chased the best cutlers out of the country, they took their craft to neighbouring lands. I find this quite credible, because the early Italian clasp knives that I have seen are almost replicas of the Spanish ones, albeit of better quality. Cheers Chris

10th December 2011, 03:23 AM	#6
Ypoznan Member Join Date: Oct 2011 Location: Poznan, Poland Posts: 16	Witam I would like to add information consistent with the title of this topic. Based on several studies and with the help of my Spanish friends, I managed to collect some inscriptions which were placed on Navajas. Spanish translation of the inscription is the Polish language, but the page you will find translator, with the performance of which automatically translate the text into English. http://www.navaja.pl/artykuly/80-ins...h-navajas.html