Gaucho knives and cuchillos criollos of South America

[screened porch]

Here are a couple more pics of my carbon steel Eberle:

Recently I saw one with a long (8" or 9") Georgian Rodgers Blade on Ebay, etched "Abramo Eberle, Caxias" on the other side. It sold for $500.

and wow.

 

[kamagong]

Here are a couple more pics of my carbon steel Eberle:

Recently I saw one with a long (8" or 9") Georgian Rodgers Blade on Ebay, etched "Abramo Eberle, Caxias" on the other side. It sold for $500.

That's a really good looking knife.

 

[Trubetzkoy]

That's a really good looking knife.

A bit on the flimsier side, but yeah, I really like some of Eberle's repousse patterns. I hope to someday procure a larger carbon steel knife by them -- if it has a Rodgers blade, even better! I wouldn't pay $500, though...

 

[kamagong]

I wouldn't pay $500, though...

There's an Eberle on the 'Bay currently available for the bargain price of $1350.

I've wondered about these metal handled knives. Beautiful, but for actual gaucho-ing about it seems that any of horn, stag, or wood makes for a better choice.

 

[Trubetzkoy]

I've wondered about these metal handled knives. Beautiful, but for actual gaucho-ing about it seems that any of horn, stag, or wood makes for a better choice.

Probably not the best choice for heavy-duty or very fine work, but you'd be surprised how comfortable some of these metal handles feel in the hand. I particularly like Eberle handles, since they are nicely faceted. The worst IMO are round (cylindrical or conical) handles, as they turn easily in the hand.

 

[CelloDan]

Edit: I also recommend checking out this blogspot for more interesting information about Eberle and pictures of vintage/antique examples: https://facasriograndenses.blogspot.com/2013/04/abramo-eberle-cia.html?q=eberle

Thanks for sharing the article about the founder and origins of the Eberle brand.
I had google translate it from Portuguese to English and enjoyed reading it.

The following paragraph caught my attention:

"Giuseppe (José) Eberle and Luigia (Luisa) Zanrosso arrived in Brazil in 1884, in the first wave of Italian immigrants, and settled in the Serra Gaúcha, in a place called Campo dos Bugres, which would later become the city of Caxias do Sul. Their four children came with them, including Abramo, aged four, the second of the family."


My great grandmother also emigrated from Spain to Brazil as a young teenager with her parents and sister sometime at the beginning of the 20th century.

They were promised very good things and a bright future however upon arriving they found out they had became practically slaves on the fields enduring very harsh labor conditions and poverty.

My great-great grandfather succumbed just a few years later due to disease and the poor living conditions. Somehow my great grandmother and the rest of the family were able to escape and headed south to Argentina where they settle in Rosario, Argentina.

Later she married a hard working Spanish immigrant who became relatively wealthy.

Recalling some of the hardships our ancestors lived trough certainly puts in perspective our confortable modern lives.

----
While handling my Verijero recently I realized how much patina/silver tarnish had develop over the past year.

When I got it a year ago I gave it a very through polish with a special cloth that I bought at a jewelry store.

Now it was as if had had never cleaned it before.

A couple of quick rubs with the cloth revealed the shinny silver on a small part of the "vaina".

I decided however to just leave it as it is ( for now )

Since gauchos carried their knives at all times the polishing action of their "faja" and clothing no doubt kept their silver shining ... for those who could afford it.

 

[kamagong]

Recalling some of the hardships our ancestors lived trough certainly puts in perspective our confortable modern lives.

I understand and agree with you CelloDan . I myself am an immigrant yet have lived an immeasurably easier life than those who came before me. In living memory, my father and grandfathers were modest, hardworking men who enjoyed little leisure but seemed much more content with their lives. I rely on them to help me keep things in perspective.

 

[Trubetzkoy]

Recalling some of the hardships our ancestors lived trough certainly puts in perspective our confortable modern lives.

Certainly a valuable reminder -- especially since this week I've been raging because of my Internet provider (Optimum, the absolute worst, never do business with them) due to wi-fi issues.

As for Eberle, it's a pretty interesting story for sure -- especially the fact that Abramo bought the business from his father only at age 16.

Cheers, fellow gauchos!