Sardinian (ehm...Italian) regional pattern: Arburesa

[quattromori]

Hi guys,
a couple of days ago I was gifted a knife. My dad got two almost identical ones, and decided to give one to me (for the old fashioned price of a coin - one euro, as a matter of fact). I thought that this could be a nice opportunity to show you the second (and less known) Sardinian regional knife pattern: the Arburesa. Named after Arbus (a small village in southwestern Sardinia), this pattern is less common than the Pattada, but still pretty popular, especially in the southern part of the island.
It is, basically, a skinning friction folder, usually not big in size (shorter than the "standard" Pattada folder). Handles, as usual in my knife culture, are made of horn; more often from ram's horn, or, years ago, muflone's horn. Steel is, typically, carbon steel or 420.
This very knife was made n a particular "old style" way: the handle is a single piece of horn, giving it a very clean cut. The knife might be "weaker" but surely looks finer. This one is pretty big and not at all pocketable for me; still, these blades are great slicers (due to the geometry of the blade) and I guess it will find use in my kitchen and dining room.
And now, some pictures for you, hoping you like it.

Fausto

 

[Peter Parker]

Nice! I bet it cuts great!

 

[jackknife]

Fausto, you keep on showing these beautiful knives and you may convert me from my traditional slip joints!

There's an undeniable graceful elegance to them, and I love the horn handles. Great eye appeal! Kind of like the Kentucky long rifle. Is that a friction folder too?

Carl.

 

[brets-ftw]

wow, this just screams a proper gentlemen's knife to me, im green with envy

 

[grelcar]

Thanks for showing this bueatiful knife. Is their a reason for the notch shape in the handle?

 

[sappyg]

:thumbup:

Thanks for sharing.

 

[martineden]

What a beautiful knife, thanks for sharing Fausto.

 

[popedandy]

That's a very classy knife.

 

[rarreola]

Beautiful knife.

 

[scruffuk]

A lovely looking knife, the blade shape is wonderful.

Thanks for taking the time to post.

 

[spydutch]

Like it very much:thumbup:
Man, that knife must be a "pocket full"

 

[quattromori]

Thanks for your replies, I'm glad you like these knives, even though they're quite different from most knives on this subforum.
This is pretty much the kind of knife I had around when growing up, be it in my father's hands in the kitchen, or in the shepherds' pocket in the fields.
Yes Carl, it's a friction folder, and even though you will probably stay with American slipjoints, I'm glad you are tempted somehow
Grelcar, there is no real reason for the notch on the handle, it's just a personal detail chosen by the maker; most of these knives have a more regular handle shape (with the same 'saddlehorn style' curve and no notches).
The fact that the handle is made from an uncut piece of horn is pretty uncommon these days, and (to me) makes the knife design even 'cleaner'.

Fausto

 

[quattromori]

If for 'pocket full' you are talking about size...yes, this one is big and (to me) not pocketable at all; it's almost 5" closed (haven't measured it but that's about it), that's why it will stay at home and see use in the kitchen (for food prep) and in the dining room (for food serving).
I plan to get an Arburesa in a more pocketable size soon..but I thought this would be nice to share.

Fausto

 

[mnblade]

Here's an interesting link about knives from this region.

-- Mark

 

[Esav Benyamin]

That's a great blade shape. It looks very modern to me, almost like a camp knife.

 

[quattromori]

Nice link Mark, I guess there aren't many websites and pages in English about Sardinian knives
A few of the things stated are incorrect, but it does give a nice overall look on 'our' folders.
I have to say that, fortunately, there is a new generation of knifemakers (under 30 y.o.) rising here; some are sons of known makers who want to keep the family know-how, others just decided to take that path into craftmanship on their own. Some of them do show some talent. I really wish that they will be able to keep the traditions alive, and not spoil such an ancient resource for my homeland.
About the blade shape, I agree with Esav. The Pattada myrtle leaf blade is more slender but, for general purposes, I prefer the blade of the Arburesa; don't know if it's more 'modern', but I like it more, and also it's easier to get in a smaller size (well, I know this one is very big, but I assure you that you can find very pocketable ones).
Thanks for looking guys

Fausto

 

[quattromori]

A funny thing about this pattern, for those who are curious...
In 1986 (not 100% sure about the year), a known Sardinian knifemaker from Arbus named Paolo Pusceddu (still one of the major knifemakers of the area) challenged the Guinness World records and crafted what was the biggest handmade folder in the world, in the traditional Arburesa pattern; I've seen it live and it's huge; it's about 5m long. When I find a pic of it, I will post it

Fausto

 

[Gevonovich]

Fausto....here it is....its huge


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YaKHKXwe86k

 

[quattromori]

That's it
I have a picture of myself with that knife, when I went to visit his place and small museum (he is a very kind person for sure, and I like his knives).
When I find it I will post it...

Fausto

 

[vladdracul]

I have something very simillar to that

By sargon_l at 2010-02-06