Silver Gaucho

Product Description for Silver Gaucho

Maker: Roberto Celico (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 87753
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 5.25 in.
Total length: 9.65 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.12 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.15 in.
Item weight: 5.70 oz.
Shipment weight: 24.75 oz.
Blade: Ladder pattern damascus forged by M M Tocus
Bolster: Integral damascus bolster
Handle: Carved sterling (.925) silver
Sheath: Leather sheath with .925 silver fittings
Description: This exceptional Gaucho is the collaborative work of renowned Argentinean bladesmith M M Tocus and silversmith Roberto Celico. 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 a tight ladder pattern damascus forged from carbon steels by M M Tocus. Showing tremendous skill, the bolster is integral. The spine has been hand fileworked for a secure thumb purchase.
The handle was formed from .925 Sterling silver by renowned silver smith Roberto Celica. The silverwork throughout is meticulously performed and has tremendous detail. Accompanied by a precision fit leather sheath with Sterling silver fittings. Wood presentation box. Exceptional work throughout.


Availability: Not currently available