Facón / Gaucho Knife from Uruguay

Chris Evans · 21st March 2023, 03:09 PM

Hi Gunar,

I forgot about that post, and yes, they do look very similar. and please post again when it arrives.

Regarding your other questions, this type of knife was widely used in the Pampean flat grass lands which extend from south Brazil to Uruguay and Argentina and reflect the demands of cattle grazing.

However, Uruguay has a much smaller population and pastoral areas than the two other neighboring countries and as such Criollo knives with an identifiable Uruguayan provenance are by necessity smaller in numbers.

Regarding size, blades up to around 6" were known as `verijeros' and were carried as an auxiliary to the main working knife, being kept for eating and other detailed work. Nowadays the upmarket variations are mostly used during the traditional `asado', the barbecue to us or kept as evocative memorabilia.

Larger bladed knives are more easily found in Argentina where thy are quite numerous. And the antiques fitted with the old European trade blades command the highest prices.

During WWII due to the scarcity of imports, cutlers in Argentina commenced making blades from recycled steel, mostly in the Tandil region of Buenos Aires province. However, these failed to earn the same reputation as the older
trade blades from the highly regarded European manufacturers.

Cheers
Chris

gp · 12th April 2023, 03:05 PM

Hi Chris,

they arrived ; the seller offered me a 2nd one, which I gladly took.
Unfortunately no "Eberle" sign on both of them or trace that it ever had been there...

best regards

Gunar

Chris Evans · 14th April 2023, 03:52 AM

Hi Gunar,

Thank you for posting details of the knife and congratulations on your new acquisition.

The horn seems identical to the one with the `EBERLE', so my guess is that it was marketed by the company that took over that firm.

Cheers
Chris

kronckew · 14th April 2023, 04:29 AM

The pounce of the Grammar Police.

Google Translate is your friend: text Postings should be in English. Or in both languages.

Post #1: Spanish translated:

Trumpet blade stainless steel knife with white metal handle and scabbard Knife with Uruguayan button sheath worked with flowers and arabesques, in the photographs you can see the details of the work In good conditions Measurements total length with sheath 23.5 cm approx. total length without scabbard 22 cm approx blade length 12.3 cm approx width of the sheet at its widest part 1.7 cm approx spine width approx 2.5 mm

My knotted bugle one and a couple more EDC, less formal ones, not Uruguayan. Both are Argy ones if I recall.

gp · 14th April 2023, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kronckew

The pounce of the Grammar Police.

Google Translate is your friend: text Postings should be in English. Or in both languages.

Post #1: Spanish translated:

Trumpet blade stainless steel knife with white metal handle and scabbard Knife with Uruguayan button sheath worked with flowers and arabesques, in the photographs you can see the details of the work In good conditions Measurements total length with sheath 23.5 cm approx. total length without scabbard 22 cm approx blade length 12.3 cm approx width of the sheet at its widest part 1.7 cm approx spine width approx 2.5 mm

My knotted bugle one and a couple more EDC, less formal ones, not Uruguayan. Both are Argy ones if I recall.

Thnx for the update and feedback !

A pitty they are not from Uruguay as the Argy's broke by (little) heart in 78 ...Kempes and Ardilles ( talking the footty game..☺☺☺)
Nevertheless I am very happy with them! ☼

gp · 14th April 2023, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Evans

Hi Gunar,

Thank you for posting details of the knife and congratulations on your new acquisition.

The horn seems identical to the one with the `EBERLE', so my guess is that it was marketed by the company that took over that firm.

Cheers
Chris

Thank you very much Chris !

Rick · 15th April 2023, 03:25 AM

there seems to be an almost infinite amount of design variations in the handles and scabbards; I like them and have a few, none from Uruguay.

Ian · 15th April 2023, 03:37 AM

From time to time I'm asked what "INOX." means on South American knives. It comes from the Spanish word "INOXIDABLE," which is short for "ACERO INOXIDABLE," meaning Stainless Steel. This helps in a couple of ways. INOX. is used almost exclusively on knives from Spanish-speaking countries in S. America (not usually from Brazil where Portuguese is spoken), and it indicates the knife comes from the era of stainless steel being available for knife-making (mostly post-WWII).

12th April 2023, 03:05 PM	#2
gp Member Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 668	Hi Chris, they arrived ; the seller offered me a 2nd one, which I gladly took. Unfortunately no "Eberle" sign on both of them or trace that it ever had been there... best regards Gunar Attached Images

14th April 2023, 04:29 AM	#4
kronckew Member Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Room 101, Glos. UK Posts: 4,152	The pounce of the Grammar Police. Google Translate is your friend: text Postings should be in English. Or in both languages. Post #1: Spanish translated: Trumpet blade stainless steel knife with white metal handle and scabbard Knife with Uruguayan button sheath worked with flowers and arabesques, in the photographs you can see the details of the work In good conditions Measurements total length with sheath 23.5 cm approx. total length without scabbard 22 cm approx blade length 12.3 cm approx width of the sheet at its widest part 1.7 cm approx spine width approx 2.5 mm My knotted bugle one and a couple more EDC, less formal ones, not Uruguayan. Both are Argy ones if I recall. Attached Images Last edited by kronckew; 14th April 2023 at 04:44 AM.

21st March 2023, 03:09 PM	#1
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 673	Hi Gunar, I forgot about that post, and yes, they do look very similar. and please post again when it arrives. Regarding your other questions, this type of knife was widely used in the Pampean flat grass lands which extend from south Brazil to Uruguay and Argentina and reflect the demands of cattle grazing. However, Uruguay has a much smaller population and pastoral areas than the two other neighboring countries and as such Criollo knives with an identifiable Uruguayan provenance are by necessity smaller in numbers. Regarding size, blades up to around 6" were known as `verijeros' and were carried as an auxiliary to the main working knife, being kept for eating and other detailed work. Nowadays the upmarket variations are mostly used during the traditional `asado', the barbecue to us or kept as evocative memorabilia. Larger bladed knives are more easily found in Argentina where thy are quite numerous. And the antiques fitted with the old European trade blades command the highest prices. During WWII due to the scarcity of imports, cutlers in Argentina commenced making blades from recycled steel, mostly in the Tandil region of Buenos Aires province. However, these failed to earn the same reputation as the older trade blades from the highly regarded European manufacturers. Cheers Chris

14th April 2023, 03:52 AM	#3
Chris Evans Member Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Australia Posts: 673	Hi Gunar, Thank you for posting details of the knife and congratulations on your new acquisition. The horn seems identical to the one with the `EBERLE', so my guess is that it was marketed by the company that took over that firm. Cheers Chris

15th April 2023, 03:25 AM	#7
Rick Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Nov 2004 Posts: 6,267	there seems to be an almost infinite amount of design variations in the handles and scabbards; I like them and have a few, none from Uruguay.

15th April 2023, 03:37 AM	#8
Ian Vikingsword Staff Join Date: Dec 2004 Location: The Aussie Bush Posts: 4,041	From time to time I'm asked what "INOX." means on South American knives. It comes from the Spanish word "INOXIDABLE," which is short for "ACERO INOXIDABLE," meaning Stainless Steel. This helps in a couple of ways. INOX. is used almost exclusively on knives from Spanish-speaking countries in S. America (not usually from Brazil where Portuguese is spoken), and it indicates the knife comes from the era of stainless steel being available for knife-making (mostly post-WWII).