My new Spanish Navajas

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Don_Luis

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Aug 25, 2006
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I have wanted a Classic Spanish Navaja for a while and finally got these ones, I want to thank the posters in these old threads for their comments and directions:

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=385136

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php?t=381229

I have to say that fit and finish is a bit rough and the edges needed a good touch-up, the top knife by Exposito is much nicer (and heavier) than the other two, the two on top have horn scales, the bottom one has plastic.

Overall I am happy with them and will be carrying one for now, today I used the one with white plastic scales to open a wine carton and it did the job just fine.

Luis


Click to enlarge
 
Very beautiful knife there my friend, this is the first time I have seen that type of knife...Thanks for sharing...

Sunburst
 
Those look very nice. You know I've never actually handled one how solid is the lock?


Bors
 
...how solid is the lock?
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the lock is very solid, lockback type, a notch in the blade tang fits into a hole in the external spring, the springs are strong, the center pin goes though the scales and metal liners and holds the spring well.

Luis
 
Luis,

These knives are very cool looking indeed. Where did you pick up your Navaja's?

Wow, after reading the other threads you posted it seems this knife is very rich in Spanish history! I learn so much here.

Thank You,

Anthony
 
...Where did you pick up your Navaja's?...
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In one of those old threads, forum member surfer posted the address for "Cuchilleria Simon" in Madrid, a relative of mine went to Spain on business and picked them up.

Luis
 
Luis,

These are very beautiful knives. Since I won't be going to Spain or anywhere else south of the Florida Keys any time soon, I thought I would try and do a search via the web to perhaps find one for my own use. I came up with this one so far:

http://www.worldknives.com/product.asp?produid=1056&manuid=9

What do you think of this knife? Is it the same type of knife you have?
 
I've always liked the looks of the navaja, but unfortunately most of the ones available in the US (via sources like Atlanta Cutlery & SMKW) are of inferior quality.

I'd like to see someone start making modernized navajas, with heavy-duty lockbacks and a one-handed opening option (wave, flipper, thumbhole, automatic, etc).

It is one of the most beautiful of all folders, IMHO.
 
Thank you for steering me true Luis, that is the information I was looking for.

Blessings,

Anthony
 
Don Luis,

navajas de Albacete !!!

muy bien

me encantan...... I love them.

I only have a couple but you have to love the traditional shape.
 
I think I was the guy who posted about Cuchilleria Simon. I used to live just three blocks away from their shop in Madrid, it was hell on my finances.

Exposito does some really nice work on his navajas, specially the custom ones. The production ones are probably some of the best navajas you can get.

I really like the middle pattern. I bough one similar to that one but gave it to my brother.
 
Thanks for the comments guys.

Yes that one in the middle with the slender blade is cool, looks almost like a modern "tactical" blade to me, I don't know if it is a traditional pattern or a modernized version, but I should say that I really like the other two better, they look more traditional to me.

Three blocks from Cuchillería Simon ?, that must be nice, or maybe tough. Sometimes when I walk into a nice shop I keep telling myself: "think of it as a museum, just watch, admire and enjoy".

Luis
 
Sunnyd, the WorldKnives site does have some higher end Navajas. After seeing this thread I had to go searching, too. (As an aside, you and I seem to have very similar tastes. And now, after seeing your pics over in the Sowbelly thread, I have a stag Bulldog 3 blade on the way, thank-you-very-much... :))

The similarity between the WorldKnives site and the CutleryToGo site has always intrigued me. I wonder if it's the same company, or if they just bought their web-store software from the same place.

The Navaja looks like it might share a common ancestor with the French Laguiole, which in turn I've always felt had some connection with our Texas Toothpick. I'd love to see the evolution of these styles. And now I'm likely going to have to add one of these to my collection. Maybe I can find someone to buy it as a Christmas gift... :)

-- Sam
 
ParaGlock said:
Sunnyd, the WorldKnives site does have some higher end Navajas. After seeing this thread I had to go searching, too. (As an aside, you and I seem to have very similar tastes. And now, after seeing your pics over in the Sowbelly thread, I have a stag Bulldog 3 blade on the way, thank-you-very-much... :))

The similarity between the WorldKnives site and the CutleryToGo site has always intrigued me. I wonder if it's the same company, or if they just bought their web-store software from the same place.

The Navaja looks like it might share a common ancestor with the French Laguiole, which in turn I've always felt had some connection with our Texas Toothpick. I'd love to see the evolution of these styles. And now I'm likely going to have to add one of these to my collection. Maybe I can find someone to buy it as a Christmas gift... :)

-- Sam
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Hey there Sam,

I did see the higher end custom made Navajas at the World Knives site. But after consulting with Don_Luis several posts ago, he has convinced me to go with the Exposito brand Navaja. Although priced higher than the cheaper ones I saw its still priced well under the customs. And I prefer to go with a trusted brand as Mr. Don suggests.. And as my old Grandpappy use to say, "Cheap knives are not good and good knives are not cheap."

Yes you do have fine taste in cutlery.. ;) You are going to love your Sowbelly too. I adore all of mine. I now realize why they were such popular users among the western folk and horsemen. Don't forget to post a photograph of yours in the current Sowbelly thread when it arrives. I would very much like to see it.

You bring up some valid points about these two cutlery stores on the web. I noticed right off the bat they make use of the same advertising photographs and other similarities.

Furthermore your point about the Texas Toothpick and the French Laguiole is intriguing as well. Food for thought..
 
Really nice ones Don Luis!!
If you are looking for Navajas, get in touch with this guy!
www.cuchilleriasevilla.com
I think he can get EVERYTHING you want, knows personally the Expoito family and many spanish cutlers more.


regards
surfer
 
Just a few points to put clear if it coul help....

- Expósito and J.J. Martínez are both of them good brands IF you paid a fair price.

- Andujar is cheaper (usually) but their products (with a few exceptions) are not very good or at least are not as good as the others.

- Is OK for any new kind of Navaja with one hand opening system and all these features BUT the old models with 10 to 15 inch long blade was something like carriying a short "folding" sword very easy and quick to open. Yes you can call this an Old Tactical Knife. I´ve seen José Expósito (Pepe for his friends) carriying one of these on his back, under his jacket without any encombrement and opening it before no one could take notice he was handle it.

- You see already and now I confirm to you, there exist a connection with the laguiole and toothpik. The Navaja exist a few centurys before both of them and is the father/mother of both of them.

- The navaja in the middle of the picture of Don Luis is called a Estilete. This model if clasical from the XIX to XX century, "new" version of biggers and olders models and VERY popular with the bad guys a few years ago.

For more information... do not hesitate. ASK ANITHING you want to know about these wonderfull knives.

Thank for your time and I´m sorry about my poor english, but trust me my spanish is better. ;)

N.S.
 
NAVAJA SEVILLANA said:
For more information... do not hesitate. ASK ANITHING you want to know about these wonderfull knives.

Thank for your time and I´m sorry about my poor english, but trust me my spanish is better. ;)

N.S.
Click to expand...

Don't worry about your English...my Spanish is so bad it almost doesn't exist.

My father's best friend was from Madrid and I remember when I was just a boy him telling that the sound of Navaja opening (carrraka) was the old equal to the noise a pump action shotgun makes now when it chambers a shell.

That noise was universally understood and it either stopped the argument cold or was followed by a second Navaja opening...but everyone understood this noise and they knew they better back off or there would be blood.

I always liked that story and I hope to own a good one someday that is still working class, as I carry all my knives.

Great post N.S.
 
Muchas Gracias por la información N.S., Thanks for the information.

Here's a nice small one that I got as a Christmas present.

Luis


Click to enlarge
 
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