Gaucho knives and cuchillos criollos of South America

[CelloDan]

Tiger Works still stands in Sheffield, and has housed many different businesses over the years, a curry house at one time, a bar more recently

Thanks for sharing Jack .
I find it fascinating how those buildings in Sheffield remain to this day with their front signs and decorations just as they were when the cutler that made that knife in the 1880's walked through those very gates for a hard days work ( and likely not enough pay to support his family )
Google maps gave me a little tour of that street

136 West St · 136 West St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4ES, UK

Building

www.google.com

The 1st photo you sent Dan was actually quite perfect, in a REVOLUTIONARY kind of way. I don't think of anyone having a fatter head than me BUT I have met my match in my Brother Dan.

The beret will stretch- you just need to work the band. Pass it through your hands and pull evenly around the circumference more than a few times with tension each time. What I overlooked is the size of the "plateau", the full dia. of the beret. I don't like anything less than 12" for my head. 12-1/2" perfect and 13-1/2" is not too big. Looks better bigger - to me. Not everyone likes that big of a pizza though. I think yours is less than 12" (30cm) so yes, proportionately too small for you to look balanced. Maybe one of your daughters will take it on. Girls can and do wear berets differently than the men style. Like the 2nd photo you sent me.

Well, if nothing else it is a nice prop in your photos.

Gracias amigo
Very helpful tips !
I will treasure it , no way it's going to my daughters !
I may have one foot already into the beret rabbit hole already

The 1st photo you sent Dan was actually quite perfect, in a REVOLUTIONARY kind of way.

Sometimes you want to look like a mercenary.

See what you did Ray ?
Now I have to share that first pic I sent you minutes after receiving my boina in the mail.
The poor gaucho was clueless

El Che Gue-Dan

I haven't posted this one in a while. Made in the 1960s for a mechanical engineer on a sugar plantation by a gaucho working the associated cattle ranch. I didn't pay much for it on the bay; it isn't very shiny.

I love it Jer !
Thanks for sharing it ,wood and metal ... like my Verijero

Abel Domenech makes reference in his essay to the simple knives most of the early gauchos had:
"The luxurious silver and gold embellished knives made their first appearances after the 1830/1840s, once the true local silversmith trade was established. In those early years, this type of costly knife was destined mainly for wealthy estancieros (ranch and land owners), high ranking military or rich politicos, and not for ordinary gauchos, who were usually very poor and the owners of very few personal belongings"

Does anyone happen to have a video that showcases how these sheaths are made? I'm real curious how they are getting that seam so tight and flush.

I found a couple of videos in Spanish ( with a very strong argentine accent )
The first one has subtitles in English
He has a lot of videos about traditional Argentine leather work

 

[Trubetzkoy]

Does anyone happen to have a video that showcases how these sheaths are made? I'm real curious how they are getting that seam so tight and flush.

There are several on YouTube, though mostly in Spanish (not surprisingly). Here's one example:

Most commonly, the leather is cut and stitched as if the sheath were going to be taco-style (folded on one side and then stitched on the other), with no welt and with some extra room at the tip. Then the sheath is flattened and wet-molded to the knife (or a form to avoid rusting), sometimes having skived the edges.

Here's another video illustrating pretty much the same method, though with some extra steps, for a (non-Gaucho) dagger sheath -- which is easier, since the blade is symmetric and thus centering the seam is more straightforward:

Sometimes, however, the sheath is butt-stitched, as in this example:

In such cases, the leather has to be wet-molded, cut, and stitched onto the knife (or form) in several steps. Though I haven't seen videos of sheaths being made with this type of stitching for puñal-type blades, here's a video that illustrates the method for a cuchilla (you can find part 2 in the same channel):

Not too long ago I made this type of sheath (with metal fittings) for a bowie. I shared some pictures of the process in this thread. Here's a picture from it:

Admittedly, for that particular piece I used chrome-tanned leather, which is much softer than veg-tanned leather and thus made the stitching process a breeze. I've also used veg-tanned leather, but with less pretty results so far.

In yet other cases, particularly in 19th-century English-made knives (including of the criollo type), the sheath (or scabbard to be more precise) is made of cardboard lined with very thin leather (which is simply glued), as in the following example, and as often seen in Sheffield bowies:

Hope it helps!

Edit: After I posted this I realized that CelloDan already shared some videos, though those illustrate an embroidered sheath, and in any case variety doesn't hurt I suppose!

 

[Prester John]

There are several on YouTube, though mostly in Spanish (not surprisingly). Here's one example:

Most commonly, the leather is cut and stitched as if the sheath were going to be taco-style (folded on one side and then stitched on the other), with no welt and with some extra room at the tip. Then the sheath is flattened and wet-molded to the knife (or a form to avoid rusting), sometimes having skived the edges.

Here's another video illustrating pretty much the same method, though with some extra steps, for a (non-Gaucho) dagger sheath -- which is easier, since the blade is symmetric and thus centering the seam is more straightforward:

Sometimes, however, the sheath is butt-stitched, as in this example:

In such cases, the leather has to be wet-molded, cut, and stitched onto the knife (or form) in several steps. Though I haven't seen videos of sheaths being made with this type of stitching for puñal-type blades, here's a video that illustrates the method for a cuchilla (you can find part 2 in the same channel):

Not too long ago I made this type of sheath (with metal fittings) for a bowie. I shared some pictures of the process in this thread. Here's a picture from said thread:

Admittedly, for that particular piece I used chrome-tanned leather, which is much more softer than veg-tanned leather and thus made the stitching process a breeze. I've also used veg-tanned leather, but with less pretty results so far.

In yet other cases, particularly in 19th-century English-made knives (including of the criollo type), the sheath (or scabbard to be more precise) is made of cardboard lined with very thin leather (which is simply glued), as in the following example, and as often seen in Sheffield bowies:

Hope it helps!

Edit: After I posted this I realized that CelloDan already shared some videos, but I guess variety doesn't hurt!

I'm glad Dan started this fascinating thread.
Good stuff!

 

[RayseM]

WOW & WOW - thanks Dan and T Trubetzkoy for those videos. I will study and maybe get my courage (and my skill) up to try some of that.
I love the look of those sheaths.

You are looking very debonair in a beret Dan (in your own sort of way).

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

Thanks for sharing Jack .
I find it fascinating how those buildings in Sheffield remain to this day with their front signs and decorations just as they were when the cutler that made that knife in the 1880's walked through those very gates for a hard days work ( and likely not enough pay to support his family )
Google maps gave me a little tour of that street

136 West St · 136 West St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4ES, UK

Building

www.google.com

Gracias amigo
Very helpful tips !
I will treasure it , no way it's going to my daughters !
I may have one foot already into the beret rabbit hole already





See what you did Ray ?
Now I have to share that first pic I sent you minutes after receiving my boina in the mail.
The poor gaucho was clueless

El Che Gue-Dan

I love it Jer !
Thanks for sharing it ,wood and metal ... like my Verijero

Abel Domenech makes reference in his essay to the simple knives most of the early gauchos had:
"The luxurious silver and gold embellished knives made their first appearances after the 1830/1840s, once the true local silversmith trade was established. In those early years, this type of costly knife was destined mainly for wealthy estancieros (ranch and land owners), high ranking military or rich politicos, and not for ordinary gauchos, who were usually very poor and the owners of very few personal belongings"



I found a couple of videos in Spanish ( with a very strong argentine accent )
The first one has subtitles in English
He has a lot of videos about traditional Argentine leather work

This is perfect, I will be dipping into these the next couple of days The sheaths are almost as interesting as the knives to me so I really appreciate the help!

There are several on YouTube, though mostly in Spanish (not surprisingly). Here's one example:

Most commonly, the leather is cut and stitched as if the sheath were going to be taco-style (folded on one side and then stitched on the other), with no welt and with some extra room at the tip. Then the sheath is flattened and wet-molded to the knife (or a form to avoid rusting), sometimes having skived the edges.

Here's another video illustrating pretty much the same method, though with some extra steps, for a (non-Gaucho) dagger sheath -- which is easier, since the blade is symmetric and thus centering the seam is more straightforward:

Sometimes, however, the sheath is butt-stitched, as in this example:


In such cases, the leather has to be wet-molded, cut, and stitched onto the knife (or form) in several steps. Though I haven't seen videos of sheaths being made with this type of stitching for puñal-type blades, here's a video that illustrates the method for a cuchilla (you can find part 2 in the same channel):

Not too long ago I made this type of sheath (with metal fittings) for a bowie. I shared some pictures of the process in this thread. Here's a picture from it:




Admittedly, for that particular piece I used chrome-tanned leather, which is much softer than veg-tanned leather and thus made the stitching process a breeze. I've also used veg-tanned leather, but with less pretty results so far.

In yet other cases, particularly in 19th-century English-made knives (including of the criollo type), the sheath (or scabbard to be more precise) is made of cardboard lined with very thin leather (which is simply glued), as in the following example, and as often seen in Sheffield bowies:


Hope it helps!

Edit: After I posted this I realized that CelloDan already shared some videos, though those illustrate an embroidered sheath, and in any case variety doesn't hurt I suppose!

Amazing! Especially the tip about the non welted taco sheath, makes total sense. Exactly what I needed to know, thank you!

 

[Trubetzkoy]

Amazing! Especially the tip about the non welted taco sheath, makes total sense. Exactly what I needed to know, thank you!

Another useful tip (from personal experience) is, if in doubt, give more room for the tip rather than less, and don't cut it too pointy. That is a pretty tricky part to fold and stitch, so it's better to have a bit of excess room than a lack of it. Of course, you can avoid these difficulties by leaving the tip open and using a metal chape to cover it, but that comes with its own complications haha.

 

[knarfeng]

In the very early 70's, my father went to South America on business for a number of weeks. I think I was in college at the time. He brought this back:
Apparently hilted in a silver alloy of some sort. Over the decades the hilt and sheath have tarnished. But the stainless blade is still bright. I've never used it for anything, just kept it stashed away. Took me awhile to find it.

 

[Jack Black]

Thanks for sharing Jack .
I find it fascinating how those buildings in Sheffield remain to this day with their front signs and decorations just as they were when the cutler that made that knife in the 1880's walked through those very gates for a hard days work ( and likely not enough pay to support his family )
Google maps gave me a little tour of that street

136 West St · 136 West St, Sheffield City Centre, Sheffield S1 4ES, UK

Building

www.google.com

The West Street pub crawl used to be one of the two best-known pub-crawls in Sheffield Dan, but sadly most of the old pubs are either gone, or totally transformed. Strangely, while the pubs have closed, a lot of the old buildings on the street, now house bars. There used to be a superb old cutlery shop, called Morton's, there, and Stan Shaw made knives for them in the workshop upstairs, after he had finished his working day at Ibberson's. I also remember a cobbler's and leather-work shop, where Fred James' Bowie Knives were sold for just a few pounds. There were scores of old cutlery workshops in the area, and the Henderson's Relish factory was quite close by too

El Che Gue-Dan

Brilliant!

 

[screened porch]

He brought this back:

Very like my first one, which belongs in Old Friends Friday, because I saw it for over a hundred bucks at the big antique mall in Holland MI years before I bought it for $30 from the original vendor's practical widow.
I have one with no gaucho scenes at all, and one with no touristy scenes on the exterior, but with a Dale Evans-style gaucha on the stainless blade.

 

[screened porch]

Stan Shaw made knives for them in the workshop upstairs, after he had finished his working day at Ibberson's.

Wow.

 

[screened porch]

sheath were going to be taco-style

Lots of great stuff in this thread. I have a lot to go over (glad it isn't longer yet).

 

[screened porch]

Ordinary, but fun. The smallest one might be older? It has slight traces of gold-wash. And I have three without scenes of gaucho life, unless that horse-head belt clip is for tourists only. All Brazilian with the pretzel-bugle mark except the Argentinian ju-ca from Tandil on the right.

I think the pretzel-bugle belongs to Eberle?

 

[screened porch]

Here's a pic of the spine of Sugar-shank.

And a better one:

 

[Prester John]

In the very early 70's, my father went to South America on business for a number of weeks. I think I was in college at the time. He brought this back:
Apparently hilted in a silver alloy of some sort. Over the decades the hilt and sheath have tarnished. But the stainless blade is still bright. I've never used it for anything, just kept it stashed away. Took me awhile to find it.

Beautiful, Frank!

 

[RayseM]

Watching those leather work videos was an eye opener. Complex stitching patterns, lots of 2 under/one over, skipping holes and coming back.
Would take some serious study and practice with lots of mistakes in between. Honestly, too ambitious for me but I surely appreciate the results.

 

[screened porch]

Pretty brilliant way to get the seam up the middle. I'd imagined clamping the edges together and trimming off the excess after sewing.

 

[CelloDan]

In the very early 70's, my father went to South America on business for a number of weeks. I think I was in college at the time. He brought this back:
Apparently hilted in a silver alloy of some sort. Over the decades the hilt and sheath have tarnished. But the stainless blade is still bright. I've never used it for anything, just kept it stashed away. Took me awhile to find it.

Beautiful Frank !
I like the motifs and it looks well done.
The tarnished look on the hilt and sheath look very nice to me

Ordinary, but fun. The smallest one might be older? It has slight traces of gold-wash. And I have three without scenes of gaucho life, unless that horse-head belt clip is for tourists only. All Brazilian with the pretzel-bugle mark except the Argentinian ju-ca from Tandil on the right.

I think the pretzel-bugle belongs to Eberle?

Nice Jer I need to catch up to your collection my friend
I like the smaller one from Tandil the best .
I have vague memories of camping in Tandil when I was five years old.
My parents tell the story to this day of the major storm and high winds we endured one night. My Dad and my uncle were holding onto the tent poles and managed to keep it from being blown away.

Not too long ago I made this type of sheath (with metal fittings) for a bowie. I shared some pictures of the process in this thread. Here's a picture from it:

Beautiful work !

The sheaths are almost as interesting as the knives

Yes, I agree

 

[SwissHeritageCo]

There are several on YouTube, though mostly in Spanish (not surprisingly). Here's one example:

Most commonly, the leather is cut and stitched as if the sheath were going to be taco-style (folded on one side and then stitched on the other), with no welt and with some extra room at the tip. Then the sheath is flattened and wet-molded to the knife (or a form to avoid rusting), sometimes having skived the edges.

Here's another video illustrating pretty much the same method, though with some extra steps, for a (non-Gaucho) dagger sheath -- which is easier, since the blade is symmetric and thus centering the seam is more straightforward:

Sometimes, however, the sheath is butt-stitched, as in this example:

In such cases, the leather has to be wet-molded, cut, and stitched onto the knife (or form) in several steps. Though I haven't seen videos of sheaths being made with this type of stitching for puñal-type blades, here's a video that illustrates the method for a cuchilla (you can find part 2 in the same channel):

Not too long ago I made this type of sheath (with metal fittings) for a bowie. I shared some pictures of the process in this thread. Here's a picture from it:

Admittedly, for that particular piece I used chrome-tanned leather, which is much softer than veg-tanned leather and thus made the stitching process a breeze. I've also used veg-tanned leather, but with less pretty results so far.

In yet other cases, particularly in 19th-century English-made knives (including of the criollo type), the sheath (or scabbard to be more precise) is made of cardboard lined with very thin leather (which is simply glued), as in the following example, and as often seen in Sheffield bowies:

Hope it helps!

Edit: After I posted this I realized that CelloDan already shared some videos, though those illustrate an embroidered sheath, and in any case variety doesn't hurt I suppose!

Ok so the first video in your post is already pretty awesome and reveals a lot

What do you think he's doing after he marks the length of the blade in the leather, toward the beginning of the video when he marks the extra space with a pencil to the right side of the blade. Is he lining up the other side with the edge of the folded leather? It's a bit difficult to tell what he's doing when he shifts the blade off to the left to mark his stitch line.

Regardless, super awesome video... thank you

 

[screened porch]

Nice Jer I need to catch up to your collection my friend
I like the smaller one from Tandil the best .

Thank you.
I like the slim little Eberle best aesthetically, and I like the long ones swashbucklingly, but the Ju-ca has a stouter blade and better retention in the scabbard.
So I can relate, as we used to say.

This is the rest of my collection (except for machetes and my side sword/ machete del monte):
A Nieto made in Spain as a gaucho's barbecue knife, but the blade is a quarter inch thick. Nice and heavy for throwing, maybe.

An Argentinian-shaped handle, on a knife sold as Argentinian, and maybe the box said Argentina, but there's no mark on the knife. Less decoration, stamped in low relief, and something black glued around it to make it look like a leather sheath with silver mounts. I like it anyway.

Uncle Don's faca da ponta and riding crop, from when he flew dirigibles out of NW Brazil to look for U-boats. He said the guy said the riding crop had tasted blood. Aunt Jane said, "What, did he pull it out of the guy?"
Of course the faca da ponta is a bandit's knife, not a gaucho knife.
If anybody could fix the riding crop sheath where the knife went through it, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Too bad.
Uncle don saw a werewolf in Brasil, but it's a slightly odd story. Certainly he was told it was a labisson.

 

[Trubetzkoy]

What do you think he's doing after he marks the length of the blade in the leather, toward the beginning of the video when he marks the extra space with a pencil to the right side of the blade. Is he lining up the other side with the edge of the folded leather? It's a bit difficult to tell what he's doing when he shifts the blade off to the left to mark his stitch line.

You'd have to tell me the exact minute/second of the video mate.

This is the rest of my collection (except for machetes and my side sword/ machete del monte):
A Nieto made in Spain as a gaucho's barbecue knife, but the blade is a quarter inch thick. Nice and heavy for throwing, maybe.

An Argentinian-shaped handle, on a knife sold as Argentinian, and maybe the box said Argentina, but there's no mark on the knife. Less decoration, stamped in low relief, and something black glued around it to make it look like a leather sheath with silver mounts. I like it anyway.

Uncle Don's faca da ponta and riding crop, from when he flew dirigibles out of NW Brazil to look for U-boats. He said the guy said the riding crop had tasted blood. Aunt Jane said, "What, did he pull it out of the guy?"
Of course the faca da ponta is a bandit's knife, not a gaucho knife.
If anybody could fix the riding crop sheath where the knife went through it, I wouldn't be able to afford it. Too bad.
Uncle don saw a werewolf in Brasil, but it's a slightly odd story. Certainly he was told it was a labisson.

I hadn't seen that version of the Nieto Gaucho model, only the full-tang one. Is the blade saber-ground, or is it full-flat-ground? I like it anyways -- the shape is very Uruguayan.

As for the second knife, it's almost certainly Brazilian, probably made by Hercules. Usually there are several like it being sold on Ebay as gaucho knives or boot knives. How long is the blade? Regarding the sheet glued onto the scabbard, I'm pretty sure you could get rid of it using some acetone.