Manual del Baratero - A Review

Chris Evans · 6th October 2005, 08:29 AM

Hi Frank,

I have seen numerous antique large folders that could be flung open, but these had rather loose blades at the hinge to permit this action. Old navajas had riveted pivot pins and unlike the modern tactical folders, the tightness of the blade could not be finely adjusted, at least not easily in an age when few had the necessary tools - And a folder with a loose blade at the pivot pin is a very weak knife - So, it is a matter of guesswork if many were opened that way.

In any event and as we have seen, the Spanish authorities did not take well to locks of any kind and it is safe to assume that those that could be opened quickly on account of a fast action and lock would have been even less tolerated in most jurisdictions. Most lockers that can be opened quickly, like Bill's, are of French origins from the late 1800s, an era by which the navaja in Spain was in decline.

Cheers
Chris

Bill · 6th October 2005, 12:04 PM

The mechanics on the blade seems to be rather simple; folded, the hinged end is squared resting against the lock, holding the blade in. The blade is large and heavy. With momentum, the weight, makes the swing rather quick. The other side of the hinged end is curved, bringing the teat under the lock. I am surprised, that with the craftsmanship involved, that there is no makers mark, but I am unfamilar with navajas or french work. Frank, I don't recall the price, as I recall, I bought a couple of 19C Moro barungs with this one, all being described as Indonesian barungs, brought back by a WWll vet. It is possible that it once belonged to a Spanish soldier who served in the Philippines.

Chris Evans · 6th October 2005, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bill

I am surprised, that with the craftsmanship involved, that there is no makers mark, but I am unfamilar with navajas or french work.
.... It is possible that it once belonged to a Spanish soldier who served in the Philippines.

Hi Bill,

1. Is there a logo stamping anywhere on the blade?

2. You could be quite right in that it was a knife that belonged to a Spanish soldier, probably one of Catalan origins.

Cheers
Chris

Bill · 6th October 2005, 02:58 PM

No logo, it does have the sign of the Cross near the tip, on one side of the blade, & another on the lock.

Chris Evans · 7th October 2005, 02:14 AM

Hi Bill,

Any chance of a photo of those markings? Forton gives several pages of logo-brand stampings in his book, many French.

Cheers
Chris

Bill · 7th October 2005, 04:29 AM

Hi Chris, You can see the Cross on the 1st & 3rd pics, I already posted, made out of a series of dots. Not to clear, but they are there.

Robert Gray · 7th October 2005, 07:01 AM

Chris

I should have never asked! You ovewrhelmed me with technicalities - It will take me a long time to get my non fencing mind around all that, but many thanks all the same.

Keep up the good work
Robert

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6th October 2005, 08:29 AM	#1
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Frank, I have seen numerous antique large folders that could be flung open, but these had rather loose blades at the hinge to permit this action. Old navajas had riveted pivot pins and unlike the modern tactical folders, the tightness of the blade could not be finely adjusted, at least not easily in an age when few had the necessary tools - And a folder with a loose blade at the pivot pin is a very weak knife - So, it is a matter of guesswork if many were opened that way. In any event and as we have seen, the Spanish authorities did not take well to locks of any kind and it is safe to assume that those that could be opened quickly on account of a fast action and lock would have been even less tolerated in most jurisdictions. Most lockers that can be opened quickly, like Bill's, are of French origins from the late 1800s, an era by which the navaja in Spain was in decline. Cheers Chris

6th October 2005, 12:04 PM	#2
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	The mechanics on the blade seems to be rather simple; folded, the hinged end is squared resting against the lock, holding the blade in. The blade is large and heavy. With momentum, the weight, makes the swing rather quick. The other side of the hinged end is curved, bringing the teat under the lock. I am surprised, that with the craftsmanship involved, that there is no makers mark, but I am unfamilar with navajas or french work. Frank, I don't recall the price, as I recall, I bought a couple of 19C Moro barungs with this one, all being described as Indonesian barungs, brought back by a WWll vet. It is possible that it once belonged to a Spanish soldier who served in the Philippines.

6th October 2005, 02:58 PM	#4
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	No logo, it does have the sign of the Cross near the tip, on one side of the blade, & another on the lock.

7th October 2005, 02:14 AM	#5
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 685	Hi Bill, Any chance of a photo of those markings? Forton gives several pages of logo-brand stampings in his book, many French. Cheers Chris

7th October 2005, 04:29 AM	#6
Bill Member Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Chicago area Posts: 327	Hi Chris, You can see the Cross on the 1st & 3rd pics, I already posted, made out of a series of dots. Not to clear, but they are there.

7th October 2005, 07:01 AM	#7
Robert Gray Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Posts: 8	Chris I should have never asked! You ovewrhelmed me with technicalities - It will take me a long time to get my non fencing mind around all that, but many thanks all the same. Keep up the good work Robert