Punch out! Give it your awl.

Here's an old, rare, Dassaud Laguiole. Gifted to me by Âchillepattada Âchillepattada Jean-Marc. This one has a Trocar secondary blade. I did a little research and came up with this. I found it very interesting, as it was all new to me.

Most of us who did not spend years in medical school do not know what a Trocar is; it is a surgical instrument that is used to puncture body cavities. Now, you may ask your self why a cattlemen would need such an instrument, here is why: Herds of cattle do not always stay in their assigned fields, although the dogs usually keep them put, they do escape from time to time. The worse fields a cow can escape too are the ones that contain "Luzerne" AKA "Alfalfa"

Luzerne is a legume or a plant that produces nitrogen by means of its root system. This is what contributes to an animal's suffering from "bloat" if they eat too much of it, or eat it at a particular time, i.e., when the grass is damp and young (young grass contains proportionately more of the toxin).

"Bloat" is the technical name for what happens, i.e., the animal "blows up" or "bloats" from the gas produced in its rumen (which is one of the four compartments of its digestive system). If the bloat is not relieved on time the cattlemen will loose his herd as most animals will succumb to internal stomach pressure.

The only way to save the animal was to puncture the stomach to relieve the pressure, so the French shepherds used whatever was at hand, including pieces of barbed wire, nails, or sharp sticks until the Awl was integrated to their knives.

The Awl's shape and size was designed to assure that the cattlemen would not injure the animal by inserting the awl too deep, the tapered triangular angles of the awl are made to create a "clean" whole, not a slash. The notches often found on various models are purely decorative.
04PiLWH.jpg
 
JTB_5 said:
This is the one I'd love to get into my collection someday (or Charlie's SFO in ebony). That tip looks like it disappears--I wonder how many angels could dance on it?

Dainty and fine. I've not seen on in that shape before.
Click to expand...
Mine was a a gift from Campbellclanman Campbellclanman Joshua, the punch is very slim :) :D Sadly, that Lady's Knife is not in good shape, but I thought that was an interesting too. The hole knife is about the same size as the first joint of my thumb, and the 'corkscrew' is actually for opening perfume bottles :thumbsup:
JTB_5 said:
View attachment 1921408
With the other tool out.
Click to expand...
I really like this pattern, and that's a particularly nice punch :cool: Whose the maker Joshua?
 
Peregrin said:
Is that punch triangular, Jack? If so it might also be a Trocar punch, like the one I posted above.
Click to expand...
It is Gary, they seem to be very common on European knives. I read your post, and thought it was very interesting. Fascinating stuff my friend, thanks for the insight 👍
 
Jack Black said:
Mine was a a gift from Campbellclanman Campbellclanman Joshua, the punch is very slim :) :D Sadly, that Lady's Knife is not in good shape, but I thought that was an interesting too. The hole knife is about the same size as the first joint of my thumb, and the 'corkscrew' is actually for opening perfume bottles :thumbsup:

I really like this pattern, and that's a particularly nice punch :cool: Whose the maker Joshua?
Click to expand...
Thanks, Jack. The knife is a Bruckmann. I actually had another one that I sold to Glenn awhile back. I don’t see this particular model very often.
 
.577NE said:
That, friend, is one great picture. And knife.
Click to expand...
Thank you. :) I spend a fair amount of time working with osage and just happened to acquire a truck load of split osage staves for bow making shortly after getting the knife a couple years ago. Thought it would make for a good pic.:thumbsup:
 
JTB_5 said:
The knife is a Bruckmann. I don’t know what the other tool is beyond a screwdriver and perhaps a wire stripping aid.
Click to expand...

JTB_5 said:
Thanks, Jack. The knife is a Bruckmann. I actually had another one that I sold to Glenn awhile back. I don’t see this particular model very often.
Click to expand...

Thanks Joshua, I find that tool useful for striking a ferro rod :) I've sometimes wondered if the screwdriver was for adjusting the sights on an ancient Mauser or something! :D :thumbsup:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top