gaucho knives

[Ferguson]

I love them, and have a few from the late 20th century. Don't know much about them though, and would like to know more. I think the blade shape is very useful and pleasing to the eye.
Steve

[A. G. Maisey]

Not all strictly "gauchos", as we think of them, but all of a type.

A few of mine.

[Chris Evans]

Nagawarrior and Maisey,

You two have some intersting old pieces. Any chance of giving us the brand on the blades?

Ferguson: You have a handsome modern piece. Is the hilt and sheath silver or german silver?

Cheers
Chris

[kronckew]

here's my modest set: all 'new'

top is a modern 'gaucho' fighting knife from mission in argentina i picked up a few years ago. 10 in. carbon steel blade & guard, full tang. scales are wood, riveted on. i wrapped and varnished the grip to fit my hand a bit better. the notch is usefull if you choke up on the grip.

middle is a smaller criollo from tandil, from last year or so. wood grip, alpaca fittings (german silver), 5.25 in. carbon Steel blade. nice 'S' at the blade/grip junction on the blade.

i like the leather sheaths with their central seam, belt flap and shirt protector fan at the top.

bottom is a more decorative one with an etched 7 in. 'inox' (stainless) blade, marked with a trumpet as a makers mark. un-hallmarked silver (plated?) grip & scabbard, turning a nice black patina i'd expect from a silver alloy.

[A. G. Maisey]

Yeah Chris, no problemo.

From the top---modern in leather sheath

1---no name, Brazil, about 20 years ago, by supposedly last traditional smith in the country

2---A. Panizzi y C??., Artes 122 B-Aires

3--- no blade stamp

4--- (second pic, black hilt) Verminck & Desteves, Montevideo

5--- A. Panizza y Cia, Artes 122 B-Aires

6--- S Holberg, Joucla Y Silva ????

7--- JJ CA, Tandil, Argentina

8--(vertical, LHS) J,Jnvernizzi, Buenos Aires

9--- (two vertical RHS)--Brazil, no blade marks, very old.

10--- (bottom , pierced ricasso) an ancestor:- meditteranean dirk, 17th-18th century

[Chris Evans]

Originally Posted by A. G. Maisey

Yeah Chris, no problemo.....

Thanks for that listing. Nowadays, the most highly valued antiques have old German or French blades and was hoping that you may have one. Nonetheless, you have a fine collection. Doemench, in Dagas de Plata, gives a listing of all the prominent brands and is worth buying for this alone.

Cheers
Chris

[chevalier]

the first knife in AJ's post looks alot like this bosnian dagger i was barely outbid on on ebay:


http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll...m=230264213939

[Gonzalo G]

Originally Posted by Ferguson

I love them, and have a few from the late 20th century. Don't know much about them though, and would like to know more. I think the blade shape is very useful and pleasing to the eye.
Steve

Yes, it´s a nice work. The blade is commonly known as a "Tandil", and the chasing work belongs to the School of Olavarria, an old school which is characterized by the baroque style of decoration, very profuse and rich. It´s counterpart, is the School Rioplatense, which is characterized by a decoration more sober, like the one you can find in the cuchillos criollos exposed here in the other pictures. It is ver common for the silversmtihs to purchase an already made blade, and to mount it with their work. Is the same with the "sogueros", the people who works leather to make hilts over wood, and sheaths for the criollo knives. You can see a beatiful work of soguería in this tutorial here:

http://www.armasblancas.com.ar/foros...t=6047&page=10

I expect you can see it without registering. If not, I can get a permission to post the picture in this forum.

My regards

Gonzalo


My regards

Gonzalo