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

21st March 2023, 03:09 PM	#11
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