Quest for a Navaja

Murindo said:
I agree that the XL and Large Espada's are very carriable. I carry mine IWB. As to the traditional Navaja, I carry it in a Sticky Holster single mag pouch in my pocket.

Some day I will go after a traditional Navaja with a seven inch blade and a much fancier style.
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To me, the spirit of the Navaja is flash, in a way. The dramatic curve, the shiny bolsters, the sound (at the time)... I know this was all driven because they were not allowed real fixed swords, but I'm not allowed to walk around with a real sword (or gun), either, so.... substitute the sound with the wave. People who've never heard of the wave are kind of awestruck seeing 7.5in of steel just fly like that. Nobody is expecting that, and now that I think about it, the extreme, loud CLACK of the Tri-Ad on aluminum is a sound to behold, probably greater than the ratchet lock's "T-T-T-T-T". I'd wager pulling the waved Espada has a larger psychological effect than a fixed blade of similar size.

That loud metallic "clack" combined with the curved, glinting handle of the XL and our associations with those noises/sights could, potentially, put all kinds of different ideas into an attacker's head, creating an even greater psychological effect than just the blade) I don't pocket carry my aluminum version (carry it horizontal on waist) because the curved butt looks too much like a revolver butt and I don't want to put my face on the concrete cause of a concerned citizen, though, just a thought to put out there.

I was just thinking, I wonder what could be created with the right technology... With "flash and flare" being the words of the day... Microtech, they have that huge, like 2 FOOT long blade, OTF (it was a one-off, I think). Buck's 110 Automatic is largely considered the highest quality automatic out there. I don't know how it holds up, but it's huge and they made it. Cold Steel's Tri-Ad locking mechanism is going to go off copyright, soon. I wonder what a true crafstman could do, to take the idea of the Espada and maximize it. I guess that's what CS tried to do with the XL, but I'm speaking in even greater terms, and wonderous, perhaps unrealistic ones at that. One can dream, though...
 
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I believe the 7.5 inch blade of the XL is the largest size Lynn Thompson felt could be carried concealed by an average size person. It's my limit for IWB and it's too big for my pockets. I do think an XXL would be within the capabilities of the lock with perhaps a 9 inch blade but who would buy one of them? LOL, I would.
 
Murindo said:
I agree that the XL and Large Espada's are very carriable. I carry mine IWB. As to the traditional Navaja, I carry it in a Sticky Holster single mag pouch in my pocket.

Some day I will go after a traditional Navaja with a seven inch blade and a much fancier style.
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Who makes that traditional one? Is it a tourist peice?
 
Murindo said:
I'm 75 years old and have been collecting knives for 65 of those years.

I have always liked the original form of the Navaja knife, preferrably in the 5.5 to 7 inch blade length range. Back in the day there were some nice ones but my quest then and for the following decades was the perfect tactical folder. The new ones all had better steel and lockup than a vintage Navaja.

Now, I looked for one but found the customs way too expensive as are genuine vintage knives. The "tourist" versions are junk. I did own a WE 920 Blocao by Miguel Barbudo. It was a good looking knife but the window lock sometimes caused bounce back when flicking it open. To me it was a bit unsafe although I admit I would try one again if I could find one.

I decided to quench my thirst for a Navaja with a large Cold Steel Espada, 5.5 inch S35VN blade, polished aluminum and G-10 handles, and of course the Demko triad lock. It is a beautiful well made and balanced knife,

Still......................................
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Try Courty & Fils in Paris: https://couteaux-courty.com/en/ They have a wide variety of European-made knives.
 
Dirk Pinkerton and Beyond EDC just came out a modern Navaja liner lock design called the Nightmare.
 
The Brian Brown Raptor is giving me some definite Navaja vibes. Pictured here with the Lionsteel Gitano for comparison.

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-Mike
 
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