Integral River of Fire Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Maple Burl

Product Description for Integral River of Fire Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Maple Burl

Maker: Jose Luis Chaves (Artesanias Jocha) (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $1,800.00
Item num: 110955
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 7.40 in.
Cutting edge length: 7.40 in.
Total length: 12.10 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.46 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.02 in.
Item weight: 7.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 10.2 oz.
Blade: River of Fire pattern damascus forged from 1070 and 15n20 carbon steels
Bolster: Fluted integral damascus with 24k gold inlay
Handle: Stabilized maple burl
Sheath: Traditional rawhide leather sheath
Description: This Cuchillo Gaucho was made by Jose Luis Chaves (b. 1975), who lives in the small town of Macachín, Argentina. Jose started making knives in 2010 and in 2020, he began studying knifemaking at the best bladesmithing school in Argentina, where he learned from some of the greats, including Mauricio Daletzky and Celia Moreno.
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 are feather pattern damascus, forged from 1070 and 15N20 carbon steels. The 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. Both the integral bolster and the pommel are fluted and inlaid with 24k gold. The stabilized maple burl handle provides a sure, comfortable grip.
This exquisite knife is accompanied by a traditional Argentinian rawhide leather sheath.
Exceptional work throughout!


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