Resolza Pattadese

puukkoman

puukkoman

Joined
Sep 30, 2004
Messages
6,997
With all the recent posts featuring beautiful and interesting European regional knives, this forum has really rekindled my interest of late. Don't get me twisted - I love all of our American traditionals, and it is indeed a splendid time to be a pocket knife enthusiast. However, I've always been drawn to things that are a little different, maybe exotic, romantic, historic... You get the idea. :p

So, and I'm sure I'm not the only one, I've been smitten with the Sardinian resolza, since it typifies all these notions in a way that really tickles my fancy. I decided that I must lay my hands on a real, authentic Pattadese knife.

Our friend Fausto (quattromori) graciously facilitated this endeavor for me, acting as a liaison and translator between me and several makers in his region. His assistance was critical in helping me communicate with the artists, to determine what exactly I wanted and to ensure the swift and proper execution of the task. Fausto, I thank you again, so very much. Without your help, this process would not have gone nearly so smoothly (if at all)!!

Now, on to the item in question. Made by Silvano Usai, from the small town of Sinnai in southern Sardinia, this traditional resolza is made in the traditional Sardinian fashion. The handles of this one are special, being made from a dark horn with white streaks, as opposed to the "honey-blonde" horn that is more common. Mr. Usai was gracious enough to seek out and procure a piece of this dark horn to complete my knife, which took a little more time, but in my opinion was definitely worth it!

The blade is of 12C27 Sandvik steel, which is a very nice stainless, hardened to about RC58. This resolza is a medium-to-large size, with a blade of 11cm and an overall length of 24cm. It's just about perfect for the size of my mitts. :)

Build quality/fit & finish is just spectacular. For a hand-made knife, sole authorship, by one artisan from start to finish, this knife is truly a piece of artwork. I've snapped a few quick photos to share, but if anyone would like a different view or a close-up, I'll be glad to oblige.

Enough chit-chat... Here she is. Thanks again, Fausto, you have made my day (month... year....!)!!!

Alex

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Beautiful! And hats off to Fausto for making it all come together. He's a heck of a guy!

-Dan
 
Now that is one special piece!! The bone is so rich and the craftsmanship is just wonderful. What a treasure
 
Great knife!:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Congratulations on beginning you're journey in cutting with a Pattadese. Friction folders are a different breed of cat, and they tend to grow on you the more you use them. Don't be fooled by the artistic side of them, they may be well dressed, but they are wicked slicers and make short work of meat and other food products. Not too shaby opening mail, UPS boxes, and fish bellies either. Mine has become a daily companion.

Or just taking out and admiring it for the artisan value.:thumbup:

I do love the dark horn on yours. Gives it a more somber serious look. As long as it's a Pattadese thread, I'll toss mine in. Also looks like the Sardinian connection is up and running.:D

Carl.

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Ditto what Carl said. These knives demonstrate the power of blade geometry over steel composition, in a beautiful package. Love the dark horn! Well done Fausto as liaison.
 
Absolutely georgeous knife Alex! I could easily see one of these becoming a favorite knife, beauty and function and simplicity all rolled into one:thumbup:
Thanks for sharing, and very nice of Fausto for helping out! :thumbup:
 
Carl, I was hoping to see you post yours in here. :thumbup: Ours were made by the same fellow, so I suppose that makes them kissing-cousins.
You're right, this certainly seems like a very utilitarian tool, despite its polished appearance. The leaf-shaped blade seems very handy, is thin & pointy. I can't wait for an opportunity to put mine to use (time to go fishing!!!). :)

Steve, thanks for showing yours as well. Looks like you are in possession of another relative! Who is the maker of your resolza?

Duane, you've nailed. it. Beauty, function, simplicity... This one has immediately risen to the top of my list, and I'm sure that after I get a chance to use it, its place in my heart will be permanently cemented.

Thanks to all, for your comments and interest. :D
 
puukkoman said:
Carl, I was hoping to see you post yours in here. :thumbup: Ours were made by the same fellow, so I suppose that makes them kissing-cousins.
You're right, this certainly seems like a very utilitarian tool, despite its polished appearance. The leaf-shaped blade seems very handy, is thin & pointy. I can't wait for an opportunity to put mine to use (time to go fishing!!!). :)
Click to expand...

How was the friction on yours when you go tit? Mine was okay, but I very carefully snugged it up a little with some gentle taps of a hammer on the pivot. Now I have the Pattadese, Opinel, and the turkish folder all about the same friction. I touched up the blade on a red (fine grit) DMT diamond hone, stropped it on the back of a Dickies work belt, and it shaved arm hair with almost no sensation. When I took it cat fishing, it sliced right through raw chicken liver like smooth magic.

I may have to open an accounht with a Sardinian bank and give Fausto power of attorney. I could get hooked on these things. :eek:

Carl.
 
Mine's pretty snug. If I hold it upside-down in my hand and try to swing the blade downward to open it, it does not move at all, but stays firmly in the closed position (this coming from a guy who can flick open a modern "un-flickable" Buck 110). And, when it is fully opened, the blade stays put even if I swing it around a bit. It is tighter toward each end of its arc than it is in the middle (if that makes sense), meaning that in both the fully-open and fully-closed positions it is tightest.

I would say it's got about the same friction as most of the fresh-from-the-factory Opinels I've had. No need to tighten it up as yet.

This one came to me quite sharp. I'm not going to touch it up at all, until it starts to need a honing. At that point, I may do a little reprofiling to even out the bevel, but I'll burn that bridge when I come to it. :p

As for a Sardinian bank account... I wonder if we can get a group deal....... ;)
 
puukkoman said:
Steve, thanks for showing yours as well. Looks like you are in possession of another relative! Who is the maker of your resolza?
Click to expand...

Mine is V. Mura e Figli (Vittorio Mura and Sons). I believe the steel is 420HC vs. the Sandvik on yours (both great working stainless steels as far as I can tell.)

jackknife said:
Mine was okay, but I very carefully snugged it up a little with some gentle taps of a hammer on the pivot.
Click to expand...

I also very lightly tightened mine. I still carry it in a pocket slip, but wanted it to be as tight as an Opinel/without fear of slicing a femoral artery if it were to open in the pocket.
 
And one more snapshot for Fausto (sorry this picture is so lousy...), who was concerned that this resolza might be too large... A perfect fit! Thanks again, buddy! :D

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(Also, apparently I have noodly fingers. What are you doin', guys?? Get back in line!)
 
Congratulations Alex.

This is a really fine looking knife. I love that you chose this dark horn, it's certainly a very nice specimen.

I shall continue to lust for this beautiful and historic European pattern.
 
Great-looking knife Alex, very interesting to see and read about these knives, they look like great users, beautiful too :)

Good work Fausto :)
 
Alex,
I'm glad to know the knife made it safely to your door, and that you're happy with it. I did enjoy the whole process behind the birth of this knife, and I'm happy to hear it had a happy ending :)
Yes, your resolza is a bit on the tight side, but I personally prefer it that way. As for the fact of "variable" friction (meaning that the friction is maximum in the fully open and closed position, and softer in the middle) that's how it's supposed to be.
Personally, I like blond horn, and the vast majority of these knives have blond handles (such as Carl's and Steve's), but I prefer dark horn just like yours (and mine, for that matter :p). Pure aesthetics taste though.
Use it, enjoy it, and let us know how you like it :)

Fausto
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What a beauty. Congratulations!

My humble Fox 560-20 will surely pale by comparison...
 
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