Spanish Notch?

I

irbailey

Joined
May 11, 2008
Messages
677
Just been looking at the Bill Bagwell knife on here (very nice), and was wondering about the notch. I'm not a fan of them, but was wondering if anyone could tell me the correct reason for them?
I've heard various reasons before, but nothing for certain.
Whilst I'm asking, the same thing applies to the notch on the Kukhri blade. Once again, everyone has a different idea! Some more believable than others.;)

Regards, Ian
 
It's my understanding that it is used as a stopping point when sharpening.
Would like to hear everyone else's input, especially Joe P.

Doug
 
Cheers Doug, to be honest thats one use I've not heard before!
So far I've heard that its for trapping an apponents blade, decoration, to give the blade some extra flex or as a cutting guide:confused:
As far as the kukhri goes, decoration or to stop blood running down the blade onto the hand!
To me, they both look like something to get snagged up when you're trying to cut something:D

Cheers, Ian
 
I think they were used on fighter style knives to "catch" the edge of another blade. Being located down by the guard, you could leverage, (twist), the knife from the other fighter's hand. Strictly from a design standpoint, I like them if the maker feels they belong.. No doubt STephen would be able to speak to the history, and function... Best, Rich
 
I am certainly no authorite I always say I am just a smuck that likes to play with knives. The Spanish Notch echoes back to a romantic past when men of leisure and warriors spent all day practiceing fenceing and blade play. They are designed to catch the edge of a blade and help control an opponents weapon. I have even heard them referred to as blade breakers. I guess if you had time to study the use of it you could become proficent with it but in my experience I have a large aluminum trainer with a notch and a C guard that the C guard works better to catch and control an opponents blade A C guard that has a spanish notch I can see the merit. James Keating is a big proponent of them. . You would be amazed at how with a c guard how you can block then run your blade down an opponents and twist and catch his blade even driveing it into him. Today a spanish notch just adds some romantic nostalga to a fighting blade and on the right piece looks good. On most it looks bad
 
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There's many reported purposes for Spanish notches from wire striping, blade catching, sharpening starting point, hanging grove all pretty ridiculous IMO. It's probably more an artistic thing as the right Spanish notch can look cool on the right knife. Tim Hancock's as versed as anyone as to what style notch looks good on which knife.

Perhaps STeven will chime in as he's the Spanish notch connoisseur. ;) He just loves them. :p :)
 
Many of the antebellum period bowies that contained "Spanish notches" came from places near the ocean. Louisiana, Mediterranean, Spain. One of the most sensible explanations that I have heard is that this notch was used by sailors and seafaring people to aid in tying of nets and grasping lines, a task that can destroy your hands if done all day long.


Matt Diskin
 
Hope I don't PO anyone but many historians and collectors have theorized what various componants on knives are for. Some are IMHO a bit far-fetched. Blade catcher? Brrrrr. In a duel we could fantisize that it could happen but it would have to be pure luck. Besides, most conflicts never involved a duel or "Knife fight". An offhand insult and someone lies bleeding-out on the floor. A flash of cash or a gold watch; same result. No fight at all.

I say go to the maker. I believe that the spanish notch is simply a missed lick during forging or grinding, resulting in the need to dress it up and hide the mistake. Later it may have caught on as an embelishment but I think it was for adornment only.

Those of you familiar with my bowies know the little notch I put at the top of the not-so-false-edge. It identifies my knives and people seem to really like it. My explaination is that the old Sheffield cuttlers would grind one side of the clip. Then they would grind the opposite side. Everything is going perfectly but on the last pass....."Oh crap!!" So they go back to the first side and put a notch in to match their mistake! Now, that's just my theory but it makes my point. Just some thoughts.

Cheers,

TV


Terry L. Vandeventer
ABS MS
 
with a khukuri, the Cho is said to represent the hoof of cattle, which are held sacred in Nepal. So there is a religious significance apparently.

The more gruesome use for this notch is to drain blood from the edge of the weapon, keeping the handle dry and grippy. Seems to me a Spanish notch might have a similar utility, but who knows?

I don't ever want to find out!:eek:
 
Interesting thread there Trent. Seems that this is one of those things that people will never agree on!
Some good theories, but I think I'm gonna keep an open mind on this one;)

Cheers, Ian
 
I made this collage up years ago when this subject came around--as it always does.

The look is traditional, and some makers make it work and others miss. I own many of both. :)



Want the LARGE file to see closely? Click on the image.

Coop
 
that's great, Coop. You're the man!:thumbup:
Picture's worth a thousand words, eh?
 
Some knives wouldn't like right without the notch and some others don't look right with it. For me it is totally looks.
 
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