Italian Vendetta?

[RobT]

Hi All,

Here is a link explaining the so called Corsican vendetta folding knife (https://grokipedia.com/page/vendetta_knife). There are others online.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Hi Rob,

Just have a look here: http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/item.php?id=1094 or better here: http://www.oriental-arms.co.il/searc...&s.x=11&s.y=15

But yes, I know that these folding knives are also called vendetta knives but the fixed daggers are the older ones.

Regards,
Detlef

[Bob A]

I noticed that the tip of your blade seems as though it might be thickened somewhat, after the fashion of the armor-piercing daggers. Is this the case?

[RobT]

Sajen,
I agree with you that the fixed blade versions are older and I will go further to say that, unlike the folding versions, they were likely carried and used for their euphonious purpose. Oddly enough, none of the French folding knife sites I saw mention the fixed blade knife as having been carried by Corsicans. Since the fixed blade version is also known as a Genoese stylet (or stiletto) dagger and Genoa ruled Corsica, it makes sense that the Corsicans would wear the same weapon. Oriental arms probably has the correct attribution but I wonder if there was any difference between the Corsican and Genoese versions.

Bob A,
No, my blade doesn’t have a thickened tip.

Sincerely,
RobT

[Sajen]

Hello Rob,

The Genoese dagger looks different, see here: https://www.google.com/search?sca_es...h=730&dpr=1.25
And also here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ghlight=dagger

Regards,
Detlef

[Sajen]

Like Ian mentioned, I would call your dagger "Mediterranean" dagger.

[DaveA]

Hello all,

Beautiful knife. I will bet on the Corsica attribution, but there was a lot of cross fertilization of designs in the Mediterranean in that mid-19th C period.

I have several “Vendetta” knives from Corsica and stilettos from Liguria, Italy that are historically notable and of possible relevance to this discussion. I am remodeling my website but I will give you some links below to these item rather than repeat everything here. (The links will change in a few months when the site is fully ready, and I will update them at that time.)

The “vendetta” knife is a distinct Corsican style, mid 19th to early 20th C. This style is considered as the classical Corsican knife. It is sometimes referred to as a “stylet” or stiletto.

The knife is characterized by its thin spear point blade, its very long top bolster, that takes roughly half of the handle and the recess in that bolster. The blade is sharpened on both sides near the tip. There is a false edge. It is diamond shape in cross-section. Decorations include a chain on the scabbard and etching. Often the words “Vendetta” and/or/both “Morte” (death) are etched in the design. The knife is inspired by the Genoan stylet, a thin dagger. The name "Vendetta" is inspired by a book by Prosper Merimee, "Colomba" (1840) about vengeance between two powerful families.

Corsican Vendetta Knife

An Italian Vendetta knife, possibly from Corsica.

Feel free to poke around the “draft” website. I have all but about a dozen or two weapons in my collection represented. I am rethinking some of the organization and navigation of the site. I hope the information is useful to you!

[edited: removed reference to Italian stilettos from Liguria]

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by DaveA

Hello all,

Beautiful knife. I will bet on the Corsica attribution, but there was a lot of cross fertilization of designs in the Mediterranean in that mid-19th C period.

I have several “Vendetta” knives from Corsica and stilettos from Liguria, Italy that are historically notable and of possible relevance to this discussion. I am remodeling my website but I will give you some links below to these item rather than repeat everything here. (The links will change in a few months when the site is fully ready, and I will update them at that time.)

The “vendetta” knife is a distinct Corsican style, mid 19th to early 20th C. This style is considered as the classical Corsican knife. It is sometimes referred to as a “stylet” or stiletto.

The knife is characterized by its thin spear point blade, its very long top bolster, that takes roughly half of the handle and the recess in that bolster. The blade is sharpened on both sides near the tip. There is a false edge. It is diamond shape in cross-section. Decorations include a chain on the scabbard and etching. Often the words “Vendetta” and/or/both “Morte” (death) are etched in the design. The knife is inspired by the Genoan stylet, a thin dagger. The name "Vendetta" is inspired by a book by Prosper Merimee, "Colomba" (1840) about vengeance between two powerful families.

Corsican Vendetta Knife

An Italian Vendetta knife, possibly from Corsica.

The Italian stilettos from Liguria are similar and have an old and possibly more prestigious heritage. No doubt they were designed to be an assassin’s weapon. They are unsharpened but very pointy! Stiletto knives, particularly those crafted in Liguria, Italy, during the 19th century, are notable for their historical craftsmanship and design. Liguria became known for its knife-making tradition, particularly centered around towns like Santo Stefano di Magra and Maniago. The quality of the knives made them prestigious symbols of status. They were often associated with the aristocratic elite or military officers. I think they were more symbolic than utilitarian.

LIGURIAN STILETTO 1
LIGURIAN STILETTO 2
LIGURIAN STILETTO 3

Feel free to poke around the “draft” website. I have all but about a dozen or two weapons in my collection represented. I am rethinking some of the organization and navigation of the site. I hope the information is useful to you!

Hi Dave,

Sorry, I need to correct you! The three daggers you have described as Ligurian Stiletto are all Brazilian Faca de Ponta, see here: http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Faca+Ponta & http://www.vikingsword.com/vb/showth...ght=Faca+Ponta
Compare!

Best regards,
Detlef

[DaveA]

You are right. Now I’m worried what I was thinking. Ouch!

[Sajen]

Originally Posted by DaveA

An Italian Vendetta knife, possibly from Corsica.

And this one is not possible Corsican but for sure!