Spanish blades, some info and loooots of pics :D

[Zuluninja]

nope, the one you are getting is another commando. I liked how my brother's knife came out so much I did another. I hope he still has it.

 

[zzyzzogeton]

You need to check on it to see if it's being used or ignored. It may need some exercise.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Please excuse the thread revival.

VERY nice! Is anybody familiar with the JJ Martinez or Crossnar Navaja Cacarracha fighting knives? Thanx!-Gearhead222

I just bought a couple of Crossnar's, a 14004 (19cm) and 14002 (11cm).

Made in Spain. Very light in the hand, due to most of the weight being in the handle. Only 420 stainless, but it takes a shaving edge with little time on the stones so as these things go it's probably got a reasonable heat treatment. Used it as a fighter you'd not wear the edge anyway.

I like them.

 

[Llasi]

Sorry to say that it is more likely to be Chinese.
Especially if you bought cheap.

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

Is €59 cheap? It's in the same sort of range as Celaya or Joker. Obviously it's cheaper than J.J. Martinez, but that appears to be the premium brand for classical Spanish knives.

It is significantly dearer than the Albainox Martinez knives, which I know are "designed in Spain" and manufactured in China. It would seem to be fairly pointless to say that the Crossnars are "handmade in Albacete" if they aren't.

That said, looking at Crossnar's page on the Cuchilleria Albacete page, they do have their name on a lot of different products, some of which are even knives (and many of which are from China). It suggests that like Boker or Schrade they get other people to make products for them, then put their name on it.

 

[ThePeacent]

I live here, in Spain, and I hope I can clarify some things for you guys, thing I've learned after years of buying and using all kinds of knives and "navajas" (folding knives) from my country and the most common manufacturers.
The well-established brands that you find on most local stores and retailers are Muela, Aitor and Cudeman, decades old companies, followed in quality (general consensus and opinion) by Joker and Nieto (Joker has a el-cheapo division, named JKR, knives from China made in the same factory as Boker's magnum division and some Schrades, United Cutlery, and similars. Nieto has most of their knives made nowadays in China, some of them are then labeled as "Puma" knives that you find in Germany but are not genuinely made there, hence their pricepoint. The QC of this pieces is acceptable, but you must not be fooled thinking you're buying a German or Spanish made knife) After that we find the sub-par chinese cr*p (sorry to be so rude) like Martinez Albainox, RUI, Crossnar, who make their cheap, useless and mostly ninja-ish products in the exact same places as MTech, United Cutlery, and those companies that so much enjoy making Knock-Offs (both from USA made knives, like the Trailmaster, and Spanish made knives, like the Aitor Oso Negro.)
A final detail I forgot to mention: Aitor was indeed "closed" in the early 2000s, and the original owners left. Some months later, a couple of ex-workers from Aitor moved the production to china and started again, joining with the "Pielcu" group (ompanies that had their adventure and outdoors products manufactured in China), using different steel, materials and a much-to-be-desired QC. It is agreed by everybody in the FAB, and among Spanish, Mexican and European knife people, that the quality of nowaday's Aitor-Pielcu has nothing to do with old models, and the F&F, strength, performance and value of post 2002 models and knives is really many steps below the originals.
I hope not to have confused anybody with my caothic writing. Sorry about my poor english. Thanks guys, you have such a great and addicting forum!

 

[Freman Bloodglaive]

The Joker NR30 does look like a nice knife.

 

[Zuluninja]

Interesting info, ThePeacent. From what I understood, after the closing of Aitor in the early 2000's, it was then reopened by Pielcu in 2006, but using the same factory and machinery from the original Aitor company. I have many Aitors from before and after Pielcu and have not noticed any major deficiencies in quality. I already posted my survival 17 which I believe is from the late 70's early 80's, and bought a new one last year, and it was basically the same knife (my only gripe with Spanish cutlery is the lack of steel diversity). Which reminds me...I need to take more pics and update my inventory of Spanish blades. Keep it coming!

 

[Zuluninja]

Just got back from a 3 - week vacation trip to Spain. Man, what a beautiful country! I had a real good time, including the world famous tomato fight at Bunyol, Valencia. Missed the Knife Expo at Albacete by mere days due to a lack of logistical coordination, but am already making plans to attend next year, and keeping in touch with one of the local makers, a really nice, helpful and enthusiastic knut from a long standing family of knife makers. I also talked to plenty store owners, was shown some nice limited editions and one-offs, myths were de-bunked and killer deals were to be had pretty much everywhere (in Albacete, that is. I saw some pretty bad tourist rips in other places, like a Cudeman MT-1 going for triple its cost). My body is in Miami, but I haven't arrived here yet...

And I realize that there is a TON of knives waiting to be photographed and shown to you guys. I'm still amazed at the beauty, craftsmanship and value of Spanish blades. I'm gonna run out now with a couple and see if the photobucket app on my phone cooperates long enough to post some.

 

[Zuluninja]

this one is a Muela small bowie that got a makeover. The grind was flattened/raised and the blade stonewashed. The wooden handle was replaced with a leather stack. Sharp lil bug:

trust me, the stonewashing is there

Medium (5" blade) Muela bowie:

And to complete the whole Muela Bowie series sizes, this is the 7"/12" fighter:

As I mentioned earlier, Aitor's Oso Negro is one of the most imitated knives ever, including other Spanish brands. Some are subtle imitations while others are quite straight rips, which I have tried to avoid. I decided to check 2 Spanish versions. This is a Cudeman:

And a M. Nieto:

I still prefer the original. I can take apart the Oso with an allen wrench to check on the quite solid rat tail tang, while on these last 2 I'm almost certain they are half tangs with framed handles. Really tempted to abuse them a bit to see how they hold up... Still, good looking knives, and the Cudeman looks like it had a fair share of rough use from a previous owner.

I took pics of this one before working on it and now can't find them. It had what looked like stag scales in bad shape, so I took them off and replaced with wood. The blade was heavily scratched so I sanded it, and now can't remember the maker. Probably a Zafrilla or Halcon:

This is what I believe is the predecessor of the Muela Jabali, the Corzo. The blade has the same profile, while the handle is slightly different. Discontinued model, it has a tapered tang:

And last for today, a Muela Tanto. I'm not a fan of Americanized tantos, while I enjoy the simple grace of Japanese tantos. I got a good deal on this one, and had read many positive reviews so what the heck, it's a Muela. I was pleasantly surprised when I got it, it does feel like an indestructible beast with it's 1/4" thick stock. I have seen pics on a Spanish site and it has a full tang all the way to the hole. To make it a bit more appealing, at least to me, I got rid of a thumb hump on the spine and rounded off the edge corner. The leather sheath is good quality, and paracord and a pouch were added to it:

 

[Zuluninja]

some more...I found this mint Muela Commando, and it will stay like that, but sporting a nicer sheath that I made for it:

Muela Gavilan blank, much nicer than I expected it to be with a tapered tang. Perfect fit on a CRKT sheath. Handled it with homemade canvas phenolic:

Still got more to take pics off and upload, stay tuned for more.

 

[EChoil]

Haven't read all the pages here but my favorite knives of Spain site is Aceros de Hispania. I especially like some of the regional stiletto folders and penknives like Nieto, Cudeman and Martinez Albainox.

I am a long-time fan of Basque yatagans too.

 

[Zuluninja]

Aceros de Hispania is well stocked, but try Cuchilleria Albacete, my favorite by far. Cuchilleria Pastor has a lot of stuff too, and although I haven't bought online from them I did buy straight from their shop in Albacete, and my new favorite is Cuchilleria Altozano, handled by my new friend Juan Luis Vergara, a knifemaker from a long standing family of knife makers. That town is like a knife knut's entertainment park, knife shops everywhere and low, low prices. The people are very nice too, I really enjoyed my stay there, and hope to be back there one day, hopefully for their annual knife exposition.

This one is a halfway done project, a Muela Explorer. Made a tooled baldric with a Moorish helmet and scimitar designs and with a braided strap for this monster blade, and an acid etch on one side of the blade, electric etch on the other. One is a halberd in a fiery frame, the other has a Spanish morrion, the helmet used by the conquistadores, although it kinda looks like a boat It is a halfway project because I still want to do a Scagel-style stacked handle:

This one was done in the old Fabrica Nacional de Toledo, (Toledo's National Factory), the biggest government sword and artillery factory in the 19th century and finally closed in 1996 after a steady decline; nowadays it is an university. Besides swords and later ammunition, they also made knives, like this one, and many others like small cutlasses and daggers:

wheeew...almost done! still need to shoot one fixed and several folders.

 

[AlvaroDPD]

Awsome info! My mother is from Spain (Madrid) and i am lucky enough to go usually every summer. As a young boy i loved going to see all the weapons and armor that were still intact at old castles or in kept up places like the palaces in the city center. Till this day, i go and try and find some interesting knives and blades! One of my favorite places to go as a kid to "shop" was the weekly "rastro" (more or less just a huge weekly market where you can literally buy anything) in Madrid where they would sell 14 year old me Balisongs for less than 5 euros. Those where some of my favorite memories, even though i got a lot of judgments from the family because i would come home with knives! Now unfortunately most of the knives don't interest me enough to "pull the trigger" anymore, but like Zuluninja said shop owners are always so friendly and nice, that it is worth it just to have a decent conversation!

Que bueno que no soy el único Espanol por estas partes!

Alvaro

 

[ThePeacent]

El rastro is indeed a nice place to find knifey stuff. I also have great memories of that place.

Spanish cutlery seems to be declining in quality and diversity, IMO, these last years. So sad

 

[AlvaroDPD]

I would have to agree! maybe its do to the fact that Spaniards are not as weapon crazy as we are? There is no firearm demand or pocket knife demand quite like there is here. Most users of blades and tools use them strictly for what they were made for and once they are done they put them back where they belong. Yo don't see the viejos walking around with there trusty pocket knives like you do here!

Its a similar problem with there textile industry Spain has a rich history in creating many goods but has yet to market them at a global level. They still make very good leather products and similarly excellent shoes! Maybe one day poor old Spain will be know for its quality!

 

[ThePeacent]

Very, very true. Kinda weird to find someone carrying a knife, even a little cute slipjoint, in this country. Folks don't do those things no more, as everything here comes pre-cut, pre-opened, pre-sliced or pre-whatever. We have had some true classics, though.
Those will remain in our memories for long...

I find this "progress" quite pre-historic, actually. And it enrages me

Some pics of my trusty Spaniards with some more modern friends...

 

[AlvaroDPD]

Awsome knives hermano!

I would agree with your term "pre historic" but it seems to me that that is a cultural issue on top of a societal issue. What i mean by this statement is that the knife industry has not changed, because at least to the Spanish, there is no need to. On the one hand, the blades still do exactly what they need them to do, and that is to cut. I would argue that to the average Spaniard a "navaja" or pocket knife is seen as a weapon, where here the average consensus would be that it is a "tool" with a secondary function as a "worst case scenario" weapon. Secondly, like i mentioned earlier, most people in Spain see no need in carrying tools/weapons on a daily basis, so then consequently the demand for knife production is near extinct.

Although its interesting to note that based on my experiences the average Spanish family (especially the older ones) takes better care of what knives do have, i.e. kitchen knives, than say the average family here in the US. Personally, I've been awoken many a time to a knife sharpener blowing his little horn/whistle letting everyone know that he is in the neighborhood and open for business!

 

[Zuluninja]

It does seem like a sad trend towards the decline and therefore diversity in knife production in Spain. I talked to some makers and store owners, and one thing that shocked me is that Aitor's ATK line seems to be slated to be phased out soon. This line is not only well made, it has the features that are taken for granted here in the states: a pocket clip and a thumb stud for easy one-handed operation. I will make sure to get some more and give some away to friends, as I find them very well made with a sturdy construction - to me, they stand the same quality as Ontario's Rat 1. One of the shop owners told me that this line is made in China, so maybe that has something to do with them being discontinued, but I'm long over that Chinese prejudice. I have too many Chinese knives of excellent quality, and as there are pieces of garbage there are also true under rated gems to be had at very good prices.It all boils down to the quality control exerted by the original company

On a brighter note, that same owner told me that soon more steels are going to be used, as evidenced by Cudeman using N695, and J & V (formerly CDS) using 12C27 Sandvik, Muela and custom makers using 14C28, etc. I have hope that Spanish cutlery still has a lot to offer to the world.

Hey Peacent, is that stag handle an IHER? looks really good!

 

[AlvaroDPD]

It does seem like a sad trend towards the decline and therefore diversity in knife production in Spain. I talked to some makers and store owners, and one thing that shocked me is that Aitor's ATK line seems to be slated to be phased out soon. This line is not only well made, it has the features that are taken for granted here in the states: a pocket clip and a thumb stud for easy one-handed operation. I will make sure to get some more and give some away to friends, as I find them very well made with a sturdy construction - to me, they stand the same quality as Ontario's Rat 1. One of the shop owners told me that this line is made in China, so maybe that has something to do with them being discontinued, but I'm long over that Chinese prejudice. I have too many Chinese knives of excellent quality, and as there are pieces of garbage there are also true under rated gems to be had at very good prices.

On a brighter note, that same owner told me that soon more steels are going to be used, as evidenced by Cudeman using N695, and J & V (formerly CDS) using 12C27 Sandvik, Muela and custom makers using 14C28, etc. I have hope that Spanish cutlery still has a lot to offer to the world.

Hey Peacent, is that stag handle an IHER? looks really good!

Awsome, good to hear! keep us up to date hermano!