Interesting Dagger For Comment

[fernando]

Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by fernando

Very nice piece. Assuming the edge is blunt (not sharpened). A weapon made for stabing; most certainly a version of the Spanish almarada (or chupa sangre).

The blade's edge is sharp Fernando, but the reverse tapered swage(?) is not.

I am headed to the office to try and get some better closeup images.

[dana_w]

Here are some closeup photos that show more detail on the grip, and the places where the blade makes transitions in its shape.

All photos in this thread are copyright (c) 2015 by Dana K. Williams. All Rights Are Reserved

[Fernando K]

Hi;

Only for a guess, the turtle carapace was also imitated. There are numerous examples of folding knife with the handle imitation. I think I see a gap, as it has left an insect.

Affectionately. Fernando K

Sorry for the translator

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by Fernando K

Hi;

Only for a guess, the turtle carapace was also imitated. There are numerous examples of folding knife with the handle imitation. I think I see a gap, as it has left an insect.

Affectionately. Fernando K

Sorry for the translator

I am not sure I understand Fernando K. Do you think the grip is made from a turtle carapace (upper shell), or some imitation?

The grip seems to be all of one piece, with two carved out raised areas and lines inscribed along the length of each side. There are a few holes, cracks, and blemishes.

[S.Workman]

Originally Posted by dana_w

I am not sure I understand Fernando K. Do you think the grip is made from a turtle carapace (upper shell), or some imitation?

The grip seems to be all of one piece, with two carved out raised areas and lines inscribed along the length of each side. There are a few holes, cracks, and blemishes.

I think he means that it is not real tortoiseshell, but an imitation. The only imitation for tortoiseshell is plastic, which I don't think this is because plastic doesn't crack in that way, and the blade is too old for plastic. Also, insects don't care for plastic, and it does appear that a horn worm (a beetle larva actually, I think they are) has been at this piece. Its the little hole that looks like it has dust or grains in it. Again, I can't be absolutely sure on my tortoiseshell thesis from a photo, but horn usually doesn't have the planar, angular color lines in it as this piece does. Color in horn is usually more like whorls or streaks. Of course, thats my understanding of buffalo or other bovid horn, perhaps this could be some kind of antelope horn or something.
Edit: on looking at your excellent photo of the grip, I think its cow horn, so I retract my tortoiseshell idea.

[dana_w]

Originally Posted by S.Workman

I think he means that it is not real tortoiseshell, but an imitation. The only imitation for tortoiseshell is plastic, which I don't think this is because plastic doesn't crack in that way, and the blade is too old for plastic.

Well I don't know what it is, but it is NOT PLASTIC!

It does look like some cow horn that I've seen before, but this is more that an inch think at the base, and of a piece.