Gaucho Camp Knife

Product Description for Gaucho Camp Knife

Maker: Rodrigo Sfreddo (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 3267
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 10.50 in.
Total length: 16.60 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.70 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.23 in.
Item weight: 16.50 oz.
Shipment weight: 21.75 oz.
Blade: 52100 carbon steel forged to shape with a hand rubbed satin finish
Bolster: Integral 52100 carbon steel
Handle: Sculpted Brazilian rosewood
Sheath: Leather sheath
Description: Cuchillo gaucho is a generic term for a type 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 multipurpose 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.
This exceptional integral knife by Sfreddo shows off a large dramatic hand satin finished blade. The blade has a steep distal taper from the integral bolster to the tip, resulting in an optimal balance. The integral bolster has been carved. The pistol grip handle has sculpted so as to have a strong swell at the base and in the middle. The resulting handle is one of the most comfortable that I have ever felt.


Availability: Not currently available