Integral Feather Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Fluted African Blackwood

Product Description for Integral Feather Damascus Cuchillo Gaucho with Fluted African Blackwood

Maker: Alexandre Lemes (click to see more by this maker)
Price: $1,950.00
Item num: 112970
** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind **
Blade length: 7.90 in.
Cutting edge length: 7.90 in.
Total length: 13.25 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.54 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.19 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.15 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.04 in.
Item weight: 9.60 oz.
Shipment weight: 30.8 oz.
Blade: Feather pattern damascus forged from carbon steel
Bolster: Integral feather pattern damascus forged from carbon steel
Handle: Hand fluted African blackwood with twist fine silver wire
Sheath: Feather pattern damascus forged from carbon steel
Description: This stunning Cuchillo Gaucho is the work of bladesmith Alexandre Lemes of Sapucaia do Sul, Brazil. Alexandre has excellent fit and finish - exactly what you hope to see from an up-and-coming maker prepared to make it big. We were very excited to meet him at Blade Show 2025 and are proud to carry his knives at our gallery! This knife is among Alexandre's masterworks to date.
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 is hand forged from Alexandre's own feather pattern damascus, forged from carbon steel to ensure excellent edge holding and chip resistance. The high contrast pattern is immediately captivating. The spine and choil are nicely rounded for comfort. Because the blade is forged from carbon steel, we recommend using camellia oil to protect the knife from rust.
The bolster is integral to the blade, with the damascus pattern moving seamlessly from bolster to blade. This technique has superior structural integrity and requires a particularly talented smith. The fluted bolster has a 24K gold dot inlaid into both sides.
The handle is African blackwood. Blackwood is among the most dense and durable woods in the world, highly prized for its jet black appearance. The handle was fluted by hand and wrapped with twisted fine silver wire. A mosaic damascus end cap finishes the handle. This knife has an incredible sense of presence and feels wonderful in the hand.
Lemes put an incredible amount of work into the sheath. Two billets of feather pattern damascus are welded together. A blackened steel throat and frog adorn the top. Lemes' touchmark is on the reverse of the sheath. A protective liner provides a smooth grip and prevents the blade from being scuffed.
Excellent work throughout!


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