Integral Ladder Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Silver Wrapped Gabon Ebony
Best Art Knife, Blade Show 2021

Product Description for Integral Ladder Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Silver Wrapped Gabon Ebony
Best Art Knife, Blade Show 2021

Maker: Mauricio Daletzky (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $4,400.00
Item num: 104303
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 6.30 in.
Cutting edge length: 6.50 in.
Total length: 11.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.30 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.17 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.13 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 6.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 15.6 oz.
Blade: Ladder pattern damascus forged from carbon steels
Bolster: Integral damascus
Handle: Gabon ebony fluted and wrapped with fine silver wire
Sheath: Gabon ebony fluted and wrapped with fine silver wire
Description: Mauricio Daletzky is a bladesmith living in the picturesque town of Sauce Viejo, Argentina. He has been working as a bladesmith for over 27 years and creates some of the most dramatic and elegant knives coming from the region. His skill and attention to detail are unrivaled. This Silver Wire Wrapped Cuchillo Gaucho is among his masterpieces to date. In fact, this incredible knife won Best Art Knife at Blade Show 2021!
Cuchillo gaucho is a generic term for a style of knife characteristic of the gauchos, horsemen of the plains of South America -- principally Argentina, of mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) heritage. Analogous to the cowboy of the American West and the Mexican vaquero, the gauchos were mounted cattlemen initially living and working in vast undeveloped areas at the fringes of "civilization". Aside from its obvious potential as a weapon in duels, which were to mark rather than kill an adversary the cuchillo gaucho has a reputation as a truly multi-purpose tool and was used for tasks as diverse as slaughtering and skinning cattle, working leather, cutting wood, and making adobe bricks. In the wilderness, the gaucho could listen for distant approaches by sticking his knife into the ground and pressing an ear against its hilt. The knife was the gaucho's primary eating utensil: a large chunk of meat would be placed in the mouth and the excess cut off with an upward stroke of the knife, stopping short of amputation of the nose. Afterwards, it would serve as a toothpick. And, of course, in the gaucho's twilight in the 20th century, its use as a can opener was inevitable.
The blade and integral bolster were forged from his own ladder pattern damascus, beginning with 1070 and 15N20 carbon steels. The undulating pattern is perfectly controlled and shows his considerable skills in the forge. The blade is heat treated to Hrc 58-59 for optimal edge holding. Creating an integral bolster shows tremendous skill. The blade is distal tapered for a perfect sense of balance.
The handle is jet black gabon ebony, hand fluted and wrapped with fine silver wire. The handle feels exceptional. The damascus pommel is fluted to perfectly match the handle.
The matching fluted gabon ebony sheath is wrapped with fine silver wire to match the handle. The damascus tip and throat is forged feather pattern damascus and includes a feather pattern damascus belt clip.
Excellent work throughout!


Availability: In stock. Usually ships in 1-2 business days