Gaucho knives and cuchillos criollos of South America

[SwissHeritageCo]

Today I received my very much anticipated " Verijero" knife.

A work of art, handmade by maxipescie , a very talented knifemaker in my beloved native country .

I am so very happy with it
It's so authentic, so traditional in every way !

The handle is "Urunday", a native wood to Argentina. The beautiful sheath is made by a partner master artisan using rawhide and the most traditional methods.

It feels just great to hold a little piece of one's native land in the hand !!!

The "Verijero" is a smaller, general purpose "gaucho" knife carried in the front "groin" area or "verijas" as gauchos would refer to this area.

Maxi's passion is in making traditional gaucho knives and it really shows.
It was a pleasure to communicate with him along the way. He kept me updated with photo updates

In the beginning

And then this shows up on my whatsapp

How the hell is he doing that with the sheath?

 

[maxipescie]

Thank you but these apps are PRIVATE. Too bad that a potential customer is not allowed to look through the gallery of a business. My choice/my loss not to sign up but...

You have all the reason! Ahun I have pending the creation of a web page, I'm sorry I don't have a site to help you. I leave you my e-mail for anything you need.
maxipescie@hotmail.com
I hope you have a good weekend.

 

[RayseM]

How the hell is he doing that with the sheath?

These are beautiful aren't they? I love the sheath as much as the knife. Would like to have one in hand to study. Looks like the "welt" is a pre braided material that is stitched on as decoration. I don't think it is integral to the structure of the sheath. He makes a braid and stitches that on after? Wondering out loud. Any insights CelloDan ?

Thank you Maxi - for your email.

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

These are beautiful aren't they? I love the sheath as much as the knife. Would like to have one in hand to study. Looks like the "welt" is a pre braided material that is stitched on as decoration. I don't think it is integral to the structure of the sheath. He makes a braid and stitches that on after? Wondering out loud. Any insights CelloDan ?

Thank you Maxi - for your email.

I hope it's pre-braided and just "decorative"... it would give me nightmares to imagine him weaving/sewing that up by hand as part of the sheaths actual integrity.

I'd imagine that raw hide to be pretty hard stuff. Neat little belt/sash slip too.

 

[maxipescie]

These are beautiful aren't they? I love the sheath as much as the knife. Would like to have one in hand to study. Looks like the "welt" is a pre braided material that is stitched on as decoration. I don't think it is integral to the structure of the sheath. He makes a braid and stitches that on after? Wondering out loud. Any insights CelloDan ?

Thank you Maxi - for your email.

No, it is not pre-stressed, and it is not only decorative, it is the actual sewing of the sheath, it is done with very fine tientos de Chivo, by hand, the technique is a tradition in Argentina and there are excellent ropes. I clarify that the cover is not made by me, but by a craftsman who is dedicated to the rope, he left you some more photos of other covers for you to see!

 

[Fodderwing]

No carbs folks, both of us are on a Keto diet

That is a fantastic cuchillo Dan! Congratulations my friend. If you get any thinner you can get a side job as a bookmark.

 

[RayseM]

maxipescie - Gracias por la información adicional y las fotos. Ese es un trabajo tan exquisito. Tendré que pedir un cuchillo por la bonificación de una vaina tan hermosa. Bueno, el cuchillo y la vaina son el par perfecto de artes espléndidas.

In other words - WOW. SwissHeritageCo -

 

[GaiusJulius]

Gorgeous knife, and a gorgeous sheath too. I love the details, the bolster and pommel cap especially.

It’s interesting to me how it’s very similar to what we’d think of as a kitchen knife, and similar knives were pretty much the rule in colonial times (and before.) A very versatile shape that excels for hunting, food prep, eating, and is quite functional for most other miscellaneous camp tasks.

I wonder how it fell out of fashion…

 

[kamagong]

I wonder how it fell out of fashion…

It never did, at least not in Argentina.

 

[CelloDan]

And you were drinking maté as well? Bravo!

Yes Mate is essential to sustain life in our household
It took me 20 years to get my wife to start drinking it however now she is the one who really panics every time the last bag of yerba in our stock starts getting low.

That is a fantastic cuchillo Dan! Congratulations my friend. If you get any thinner you can get a side job as a bookmark.

Gracias Dwight

Gorgeous knife, and a gorgeous sheath too. I love the details, the bolster and pommel cap especially.

It’s interesting to me how it’s very similar to what we’d think of as a kitchen knife, and similar knives were pretty much the rule in colonial times (and before.) A very versatile shape that excels for hunting, food prep, eating, and is quite functional for most other miscellaneous camp tasks.

I wonder how it fell out of fashion…

Gracias amigo
A very useful and versatile pattern indeed !

Wondering out loud. Any insights CelloDan ?

I hope it's pre-braided and just "decorative"

No, it is not pre-stressed, and it is not only decorative, it is the actual sewing of the sheath,

It is not pre braided and not for decoration. As Maxi stated it is the actual sewing of the sheath.
I am totally amazed at the level of skill required to make these works of art !!!

I took pics of the sheath under magnification ... WOW !!!

I follow sheath maker Eduardo Salazar on social media.
A sample of his work he shared online.
Incredible !!!

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Yes Mate is essential to sustain life in our household
It took me 20 years to get my wife to start drinking it however now she is the one who really panics every time the last bag of yerba in our stock starts getting low.




Gracias Dwight



Gracias amigo
A very useful and versatile pattern indeed !








It is not pre braided and not for decoration as Maxi stated.
I am totally amazed at the level of skill required to make these works of art !!!

I took pics of the sheath under magnification ... WOW !!!

I follow the sheath maker, Eduardo Salazar on social media.
A sample of his work he shared online.
Incredible !!!

Holy hell man.. that is legitimately insane.

 

[maxipescie]

Yes Mate is essential to sustain life in our household
It took me 20 years to get my wife to start drinking it however now she is the one who really panics every time the last bag of yerba in our stock starts getting low.




Gracias Dwight



Gracias amigo
A very useful and versatile pattern indeed !








It is not pre braided and not for decoration as Maxi stated.
I am totally amazed at the level of skill required to make these works of art !!!

I took pics of the sheath under magnification ... WOW !!!

I follow the sheath maker, Eduardo Salazar on social media.
A sample of his work he shared online.
Incredible !!!

Eduardo is a great friend, and extraordinary craftsman, he has made me several pods! How nice it is to see one's work admired from so far away!

 

[CelloDan]

Enjoyed reading the article about gaucho knives that Jack referenced in this thread

A Short Essay about Gaucho knives: Facón, Daga, Cuchilla and Puñal

Historic setting and classification of the types of traditional South American knives and daggers and parallels with the Bowie knife

www.vikingsword.com

A couple of quotes from the article:
"We should bear in mind what a foreign traveler - surprised to know the intensive use of knives by gauchos - said: "Gauchos use their knives the same, to open a cow or to close a discussion." Estadist, writer and former Argentine President Domingo F. Sarmiento wrote in his book Facundo published during the XIX century: "The gaucho is armed with the knife he inherited from the Spaniards & more than a weapon, the knife is an instrument which serves him in all his tasks; he can't live without his knife; it is like the elephant trunk, his arm, his hand, his finger, his everything."

Another quote that perhaps I would not have paid attention had I not watched the video shared earlier by Christian of an Argentine sharpening his treasured Arbolito knife.
In telling the story of how he came about to own his prized knife he stated that the woman whom he bought it from also offered him a revolver. I heard a clear dismissive tone in is voice when he narrated how he told her he was not interested in the gun, only the knife.

Quote from article:
"Gauchos had limited access to firearms, which in our territories were reserved to the high or military classes almost exclusively. For this same reason, gauchos seemed to look upon firearms with disdain and little confidence, preferring edged weapons over all other types."

On another note.
When discussing my Verijero with Maxi in our initial conversations I mentioned that I wanted a native wood, a wood typical of our country. He mentioned several native woods and suggested Urunday as one of his favorite ones.

I just found out stated in the Argentine Ministry of Culture website that since the return of democracy in 1983 with president Raul Alfonsin, the "Baston Presidential" ( Presidential Baton ) of Argentine presidents is made with Urunday

 

[CelloDan]

My Capybara companion complains is a LOT colder in his new home

 

[Trubetzkoy]

The knife of the OP is a beautiful piece, and so are the others that have been posted. I don't own any knives in this style yet, but I really enjoy looking at them and I hope to get one soon!

Though, as H herder pointed out, Germany is well known for having produced a lot knives for the South American market, especially back in the day, I especially like encountering early English pieces in this style. Sometimes one finds really interesting examples with features characteristic of other types of knives. The following is a 19th-century piece from Chile (a country not so often associated with gaucho or creole knives), made by I.P. Cutts & Sons of Sheffield, with clear bowie influence (from the Samuel Setian Collection):

(I believe the picture is from a book, but I don't recall the author or title; I found it in a forum a while back.)

 

[herder]

If I had access to authentic attire and a way to truly verify I was wearing everything properly I would totally do it to have a good time on the Porch


Thank you for finding it Jack


lol Christian
I have been searching for an Argentine restaurant either in Ottawa or Montreal to drive up to and give my Verijero its first taste of asado on its first cut ever but so far no luck
My backyard is FULL of so no home cooked asados either for now
I will make me a steak tomorrow and go for it


He is very proud of his Boker Arbolito when telling the story of how he got it.
He obviously treasures that knife very much !



Wow Neal, GRACIAS ! , your comments made my day .
Coming from you it means a lot

I love Maxi's interpretation of the Verijero... the subtle curve on the spine from butt to tip, the shape of the handle, the slanted butt and the overall proportions of all its elements make maxipescie design very appealing to my eyes.
Last night I recorded this exact comments on a little video and sent it to him through Whatsapp.

Happiness in 2 simple and practical steps

Step one: Order and take delivery of a beautiful traditional knife

Step two: Open the package

Cherry on top BONUS for extra happiness : Porch dwellers compliment your knife

Great pictures that represent the passion for our hobby. And I also thoroughly enjoyed your food preparation photos. Good food and a fine knife, what could be better.

 

[herder]

Yes Mate is essential to sustain life in our household
It took me 20 years to get my wife to start drinking it however now she is the one who really panics every time the last bag of yerba in our stock starts getting low.




Gracias Dwight



Gracias amigo
A very useful and versatile pattern indeed !








It is not pre braided and not for decoration. As Maxi stated it is the actual sewing of the sheath.
I am totally amazed at the level of skill required to make these works of art !!!

I took pics of the sheath under magnification ... WOW !!!

I follow sheath maker Eduardo Salazar on social media.
A sample of his work he shared online.
Incredible !!!

Fantastic thread work on the sheaths and handles, I'm beyond impressed.

 

[herder]

The knife of the OP is a beautiful piece, and so are the others that have been posted. I don't own any knives in this style yet, but I really enjoy looking at them and I hope to get one soon!

Though, as H herder pointed out, Germany is well known for having produced a lot knives for the South American market, especially back in the day, I especially like encountering early English pieces in this style. Sometimes one finds really interesting examples with features characteristic of other types of knives. The following is a 19th-century piece from Chile (a country not so often associated with gaucho or creole knives), made by I.P. Cutts & Sons of Sheffield, with clear bowie influence (from the Samuel Setian Collection):

(I believe the picture is from a book, but I don't recall the author or title; I found it in a forum a while back.)

Yes, the English certainly made some incredible styles for the world-wide market.
That picture is from "The Antique Bowie Knife Book" which shows a few other wonderful models meant for the South American and Mexican markets.
This particular knife shown bears the Chilean national emblem on the handle pommel.

 

[waynorth]

It really makes me very happy that you like the knife, it is the best reward that a manufacturer can have! The gaucho knife is without a doubt my favorite and the one I enjoy making the most! I attached a photo of one made in damascus steel! Thank you all!

Nice "Feather" Damascus!!! Great knife!!!

 

[waynorth]

My Capybara companion complains is a LOT colder in his new home

Sorry to go on a tangent - what is that ski-like device in the third picture, Dan??