Navajas

puukkoman

puukkoman

Joined
Sep 30, 2004
Messages
6,997
Hey, guys.
I figured this would be a good place for this thread, since the knife in question is a traditional Spanish pattern.

I've recently become interested in Navajas, and I wondered if anyone can recommend a good one. I've been searching the forums and the web for info, and I think I may get this one from cutlerytogo.com. Does anyone have this knife, or can anyone attest to its quality? My main concern is with construction, and in particular the bolsters... I want to avoid the Rough Rider-style of stamped, clipped/pressed bolsters. You know, the difference between a real bolster that's structural and the kind that are fitted onto crappy slip-joints.

Any info? Will it be worth my $70?

Thanks.
Alex.
 
Well, I've heard some good reviews of JJ Martinez, and some people have been pleased with Joker, but I have no experience with either.

Anybody?
 
Gentlemen,

My Father was from Galicia but raised in Barcelona. I started with and still trust the Exposito brand. The factory is in the knife making rich area of Albacete. Prior to my Father's recent passing I purchased a new Andujar blade for him and I was not impressed. I have used the JJ Martinez blades for ranch work and butchering but they do not have the edge holding ability the Exposito has. With the Exposito you get the authentic bull horn handle. I currently have a 4", 5", and my favorite 6" Navaja Artesania Albacete No.7. My daughters and wife have 4" stilletos. I have used these as much as my Buck 110 and my 4" navaja, which was the first given to me by my Father is always with me.

I had been wanting to ask about navajas in this forum, but I did not know if they would fit. I have known all my life that the navaja is the true traditional knife of Spain and I would welcome any comments about these Spanish blades.

Bilbanito
 
Oh, hell.
I broke down and bought a JJ Navaja... And an Okapi.
The Exposito Navajas are a little pricey for me right now, so I'll save for one of those. :)
Thanks.
Peace.
Alex.
 
Mr. Puukkoman,

You made a good choice, I have 4 of JJs and they are solid and serviceable. I prefer a classic northern style blade rather than the Andalu style handle and blade of the JJ. Save for the Exposito you will not be disappointed. My family has carried them for three generations.
 
Mr. Puukkoman,

I beg your pardon and I need to correct myself. Expositos have been carried by Five generations and four different continents, Europe; Africa; South America; North America and the Island of Cuba! One of these days I'm going to write some short stories about my family and their navajas.

Bilbanito
 
Don Bilbanito,

Thanks for the advice and information you provided. I can see that you also appreciate a knife pattern with history behind it, especially since you have directly involved family history.

If you decide to write down any of your family's stories, I'd be delighted to read them. I'll let you know how my new Navaja works out (got it shipped UPS 3-day select, and ordered it around 7pm this evening, so I presume it will arrive on Monday).

Thanks again.
Peace.
Alex.
 
Another vote for Exposito!
That's mine, a nearly 30cm long Sevillana. From all the navajas I've seen here in Spain, the Expositos are the best in finish and detail. JJ Martinez makes some nice ones too. If you want something nice, you have to spend some money, here the Expositos are about 50 - 100€ (the large Bandolero style Navaja) so I think cutlerytogo.com is not the cheapest place to look.
navaja.jpg

The best Navajas are from Albacete or Santa Cruz de Mudela, but another nice navaja comes from Barcelona - check out that one!!!
http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/C_Bidaut/CCTivoire2004_0109_.JPG
they are quite expensive, but without a doubt beautyful!
Don't worry about the sheet metal bolsters, it's not a question of quality, even the old ones, 150 years ago had these bolsters!
I think you have to look at the backspring to see the quality of a navaja, the cheap ones have just a stamped, thin backspring, the better ones have forged, thick backsprings. Handle material should be at least bullhorn.

good luck and regards from spain
surfer
 
Surfer,

Thank you for the regards, how I miss home you may never know. You and I have the same blade, my blade is a little thinner in the belly due to twenty years of sharpening. Have you ever seen a black horn handled Expositio? My Father claimed that it is what my Grandfather carried.

Have a bottle of Rioja and a slice of jamon for me, nice to hear from a "navajero" from home.

Bilbanito
 
Hola Don Bilbanito :)
I will have a bottle of Faustino I and some "5 bellotas jamon" later ;)
I can imagine that you miss spain...
In the shops here you allways see the gray / brown / greenish horn handles, but I know that Exposito makes high end custom navajas too. They are really pricey, but you get carbon steel, black horn, mother of pearl (sp?), ivory etc.
I'm still looking for a "low cost" carbon steel navaja, hope I'll come to albacete soon :D (living in andalucia).

saludos
Surfer
 
Surfer Gracias por los saludos, y egualmente,

Don't forget to have a nice glass of Jerez you are living in a great area and my favorite aunt's hometown.

If you have a source for a carbon steel navaja please let me know I want one with a black handle and a 5" blade.

Adios,

Bilbanito
 
Hey, just got my JJ Navaja in the mail today, and I'm really happy.

First of all, this thing is HUGE. I may have to get a smaller one for EDC. The one I have here has a 6" blade, which is a lot bigger than it sounds for a folder. The handle makes it seem larger too, as it measures nearly 8" long. The entire knife, when opened, is ~13.5" in length. Yow!

Second, it seems very well-built. Finish could stand to be a little nicer (pivot pin is not completely smooth, but looks like the peening hammer missed once or twice), but the fit is excellent. Construction seems good for a user, as well.

I am in love with the lock, and the big, loud ratcheting sound that it makes when I open it.

All in all, it's a very nice piece. I don't know how much I'll be carrying it, since its closed length is the size of most folders' open length, so I'll be getting a really nice Exposito 4" once I have saved for a little while.

Thanks so much for the help, guys! This knife makes me yearn for the late 18th century. :D

Peace.
Alex.
 
Nice that you're happy with your navaja :)
Maybe not an EDC for it's size - that's why I only carry mine in the countryside, not in the city - but in the old days these navajas had a common size of 20 inches or even more!!!
Have fun!
 
Don Bilbanito said:
Gentlemen,

My Father was from Galicia but raised in Barcelona. I started with and still trust the Exposito brand. The factory is in the knife making rich area of Albacete. Prior to my Father's recent passing I purchased a new Andujar blade for him and I was not impressed. I have used the JJ Martinez blades for ranch work and butchering but they do not have the edge holding ability the Exposito has. With the Exposito you get the authentic bull horn handle. I currently have a 4", 5", and my favorite 6" Navaja Artesania Albacete No.7. My daughters and wife have 4" stilletos. I have used these as much as my Buck 110 and my 4" navaja, which was the first given to me by my Father is always with me.

I had been wanting to ask about navajas in this forum, but I did not know if they would fit. I have known all my life that the navaja is the true traditional knife of Spain and I would welcome any comments about these Spanish blades.

Bilbanito
Click to expand...
Let me help you. NAVAJA is the spanish word for Folding Knife. To have more information about the knife that is internationally known as Navaja you must use the words Navaja Clásica Española in any books searching (if you can read spanish) and you gonna find a lot. If not, contact me and I will try to help...

R.S.O.
 
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