Spanish Knife

5K Qs

5K Qs

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A month from today I plan to fly to Spain to visit my daughter in Madrid. I'll be there for almost three weeks, and she is planning to show me around, not only in Madrid, but also in Sevilla, Granada, and Toledo (and she may have some other trips up her sleeve). I'm hoping I can talk her into helping me find a Spanish traditional folder while I'm there.

I welcome any suggestions forum members have about what kind of knife to look for, and also about where to look. I've done a little bit research into Spanish knives and know what I don't want: I'm not interested in the kind with the ratcheting opener (caracca?) and "bent" handle (to me it looks a little like a toothpick pattern on steroids). I'd like to find something less than 4" closed that's comfortable for pocket carry. One knife I've run across that appeals to me is called navaja de campana (did waynorth invent these? :p); looks to me like the Spanish version of a sodbuster. But I'm open to any recommendations for a "distinctively Spanish" traditional folder. My budget limits me to under $50 or 30 euros.

I'm typically partial to buying old non-mint knives that I can clean up and use. Are there Spanish equivalents of flea markets where I could search for a knife that's lived a little?

Are there specific shops in specific cities I should try to check out? Or am I better off to look around while I'm there and then order online when I return? If I purchase a knife in Spain, will there be any problems with bringing it back in a checked bag? Are there customs issues I need to consider? (I'm almost 63 years old, but this will be my first trip out of the country, except for brief forays into Canada, so I'm definitely not a seasoned international traveller!)

Are there any other knives you'd recommend, not necessarily Spanish, that would be easier to obtain while I'm in Europe than they would be in the US? For example, does Toledo, famous for its blades, have a big "Knives of the EU" store? :D Or, for another example, might there be, in Spain, alox SAKs in a rainbow of colors I can't find stateside?

Anyway, I'd appreciate any input you're willing to offer. Thanks!

- GT
 
You have to get a Taramundi. I can't think of a more down to earth working pocket knife of the region. Besides, you need a friction folder, you just don't know it yet! :D
 
Gonna bookmark this thread as we just booked a trip to Barcelona in the early spring!

-- Mark
 
Taramundi is a great knife :thumbup:

I've been very pleased with the Aitor and Joker knives I've had, widely available in Spain I think.



You'll have a great time in Barcelona Mark, it's a fantastic city, and you picked a great time to visit :thumbup:
 
If you are visiting second hand shops / flea markets, whatever, and you come across some fixed blade Muelas, just be aware that most of them aren't full tang. Not bad knives for the money, mine has been OK for me, but not full tang. Buyer beware.
 
Carl, thanks for the Taramundi suggestion. I was digging around the forum earlier searching for relevant threads when I came across a thread started by Mateo (lutejones) that showed some of his Taramundi knives; very attractive! One thing I worry about is whether the Spanish economy is very regional. My understanding is that Taramundi knives are made in the province/region of Asturias (I think in northwest Spain), and I wonder whether they're available in Madrid's province. One of the young women my daughter lives with is from Asturias, I think, so maybe she can give me the straight scoop on inter-regional knife distribution. Kind of interesting that each region of Spain has its own local knife (at least that's how it looks to me); in the USA, your Maryland stockman is REAL similar to my Michigan stockman, I'll bet. ;)

Mark, I hope I can give you some helpful hints when I get back. My daughter loves Barcelona (although I think she got her wallet lifted there once), and is a big fan of Barca futbol, which is less than ideal for a Madrid resident!

Jack, that Joker certainly appeals to me with its clean, simple design. Thanks for recommending a couple of Spanish knife makers whose products you've enjoyed, and for seconding Carl's vote for a Taramundi.

numbersman, I appreciate the heads-up about Muelas. I'm not intending to shop for fixed blades, but sometimes I get caught up by the looks of knives I had no intention of purchasing :eek:, so thanks for the advice.

- GT
 
A taramundi would be a nice option, as the Aitor. Not sure you can find a decent navaja for that price. Anyway, there are a couple big knife shops in Madrid that I'm aware of; I will search for their addresses and PM you. Also, I will be staying in Madrid for one day in late December so keep your eyes open ;)
In my experience, you're not going to face any trouble carrying a folding knife inside your checked luggage.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Hi.
I don´t know if I can post direct links, but there are Spanish web sites where you can take a look and decide which type of Spanish folding knives (you´re right: plenty of different patterns in traditional cutlery here in Spain) you prefer. Spanish knife forums (Armas Blancas) is also a good place to get acquainted with Spanish cutlery. Sorry, no English version so far.
I can tell you that there are big commercial makers (Muela is the most famous, but not the only one), but maybe you could be more lucky with some small, family companies that still makes traditional folding knives with carbon steel blades and wood, horn or antler handles, and affordable priced. On the other hand, there are top end makers who produce premium folding knives (forged 52100, convex grind, mirror polish blades and African antelope antler handles). Or you can directly go to some respected online Spanish cutlery shop and find ther what you´re looking for.
Bad news: Madrid isn´t the best place for knife shopping. Not much variety, and high prices.
Anyway, if you´re interested drop me a PM and I´ll send you the links.
I live in Sevilla, and will be glad if I can help you anyhow.
Best regards.
 
While it's been too many years since I was last in Spain, I do remember seeing cutlery shops in various cities (including Barcelona). Be aware that they carry a huge variety of products with quality that varies from good to bad. Around tourist spots you'll see lots of "antique" swords and switchblades. If you look on the Custom forum you should be able to find a couple makers who have posted with their creations also. That's what I'd aim for if I was looking for something special.
 
I've only been to northern Spain but I would really enjoy visiting Toledo or Granada, they are supposed to be both beautiful and interesting. I envy your visit, hope you enjoy it.

I've been extremely pleased by this modest and compact Aitor in Bubinga wood, nice traditional European leaf style blade. Inexpensive yet decent.

Thanks, Will

IMG_0365.jpg
 
I really like my Joker Navaja, it looks like a knife from the Middle Ages (which it is). A little aggressive, but pretty well-made and razor sharp out of the box.
Borrowed a picture from (removed non BF dealer reference), they are a lot cheaper in Spain btw.

products-2458-1-original_Joker-Olive-Wood-Navaja-Clasp-Knife---NO-00.jpg


Edit: Oops, I didn't read your post well enough.. Sorry for the mix-up.
Mine is not that big and easy to carry in the small pocket, get your hands on one and maybe you will change your mind.
They don't really ratchet anymore btw, it's a simple click.

Otherwise I would say most Sodbuster type knives are pretty good.
 
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By coincidence, I picked up a Toledo lock-knife in the market today.
 
quattromori said:
A taramundi would be a nice option, as the Aitor. Not sure you can find a decent navaja for that price. Anyway, there are a couple big knife shops in Madrid that I'm aware of; I will search for their addresses and PM you. Also, I will be staying in Madrid for one day in late December so keep your eyes open ;)
In my experience, you're not going to face any trouble carrying a folding knife inside your checked luggage.

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

Fausto: thanks very much for your advice! I'd certainly appreciate your emailing me the addresses of knife shops in Madrid if you can find them.

sevilla: I sent you email. Muchas gracias for your suggestions (please excuse my ignorance of the Spanish language :eek:).

eisman: Thanks for sharing your first-hand experiences and memories of your trip.

Will: I'm looking forward to my trip; thanks for wishing me well! That Aitor looks good :thumbup:; thanks for posting the photo. Aitor and Joker are getting several recommendations, as is the taramundi pattern (thanks for the taramundi photo, Al; that's definitely a distinctive style, and I'll certainly be looking seriously at those.)

QJerry: The navaja you pictured is exactly the style that I thought was "too over the top" for my tastes; I can imagine the reaction if I pulled out something like that, instead of a Peanut, to cut up snacks for the kids in the church nursery! :D But you're right, sometimes my head tells me one thing about a knife, and then my hand and heart tell me exactly the opposite when I actually handle the knife. It's certainly true that when I hear Spanish folder, I picture a knife like that. (I don't know the history of that pattern, but I can imagine that there's some Arabic/Muslim/Moorish influence in the design.)

Thanks, everyone, for your helpful suggestions!

- GT
 
With thoughts of this thread in my head yesterday morning, I couldn't resist picking up this Toledo Lever-lock when I saw it in the fleamarket. Not a recommendation, but since I can't ever see me carrying this, I thought I'd post pics here for anyone whose never seen one before. It's not a switch-blade, though I imagine the same company might have once made them. You swivel the small 'tag' round like on a pair of nail-clippers, which allows you to manually open the blade. It locks into position, and to release it you press down on the 'tag' again, push in the blade, and it locks with a satisfying click. The back-piece of the knife has a crack right across it, and you can actually push the broken piece out, but of course this isn't the spring.



















 
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Thanks for the great photos of that Toledo leverlock, Jack.
I don't think I've ever seen that type of mechanism, and the artistic craftsmanship is very impressive!! :thumbup::thumbup:

- GT
 
[link to non-BF dealer removed]

Worth a browse, plenty of traditional Spanish blades listed on there. No affiliation, just a happy customer.
 
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I was just in the Hardware store a few days a go and looked at three of the Aitors. All three with wood handles, slip joints and CS leaf type blades. S/M/L. The prices were good IMO. Cool knives from Spain. Maybe you could find something that's not available here in the US and local only to Spain.
 
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