old knife

[wonbyone]

I have an old knife that I found about 1970. It was in the ruins of an old dwelling now under water when Lake Powell was created by the Glenn Canyon Dam. I saw something similar in the museum at the Alamo in San Antonio. It is in great shape considering. Anyone have any ideas about it? Thanks for your time. --Bill

 

[DennisStrickland]

i have a similar knife
horn handle .forged carbon blade
marked A.Dourat toledo [spain of course]
common in spain & portugal
called a ratchet or click click knife
sizes from 3 in. to 12 or 13 inches closed

 

[lambertiana]

Post this question on Bernard Levine's subforum, and you will get a good answer.

 

[SIFU1A]

whatever else it is its certainly a neat old knife......

 

[7rip13a]

i have a similar knife
horn handle .forged carbon blade
marked A.Dourat toledo [spain of course]
common in spain & portugal
called a ratchet or click click knife
sizes from 3 in. to 12 or 13 inches closed

Interesting. When you say it's a "ratchet or click click knife" do you mean something similar to an okapi? This knife, with the ring up on the spine of the knife, interpreted in tandem with your phrase, makes me really think of an okapi.

 

[DennisStrickland]

the knive photos do'nt show the base of tang
my initial observation may be incorrect
on my knife which could be over 100 yrs. old
back of tang is notched ; when lever on top of spring is pushed up the blade is unlocked
essentially letting lever down locks the blade in position where it rests at that moment
so blade is locked open or closed & any other position when lever is not actvitiated .if closed & lever is held up momentary, & THEN BLADE IS OPENED rapidily lever lock , when released floats as the rapid opening keeps it from locking ,till open
the quick open makes a noticable clicking noise
these type knives were the real early tactical folders of the day
stiill produced & common in spain,port.& some in argentina. i've seen a few from 1800s with absolutely beatiful etch scenes on blades.all the ones i've seen were old ,forged,great fit. blades are fairly wide though thin ;
gives them strength in a light blade.

 

[wonbyone]

I will posted some other pictures, there is no spring in the knife now or when I found it. But it does have a little notch --Bill

 

[C.S. Graves]

Looks like a squat little navaja.