"Sorocabana" by Sr. Bide of Brazil

[Blues]

Friend, knifemaker and fellow forumite Ivan Campos recently posted about an interesting Brazilian knife known as the Sorocabana, named for the region from whenst it derives. (About an hour west of Sao Paulo.)

Today I was fortunate enough to receive one of these interesting "ethnic" blades from Ivan and his colleagues in Brazil.

The blade is hand forged of 1095 from plowshare disks. Though my poor photo doesn't show it, there is a nice temper line on the blade.

The handle is forged from mild steel and incorporates horn and brass ornamentation. (The brass is also featured on the "bolster"/"enterço" area.)

It appears that the blade is forge welded and pinned between the sides of the "bolster"/"enterço" which is in fact an integral part of the handle.

I'm sure Ivan will be along to correct any mistakes or assumptions I may have stated in error concerning materials and construction.

The blade itself is 9" long, not counting the "bolster"/"enterço" area. OAL is right at 15". Spine is approx. 3/32" and point of balance appears to be right at the front of the "bolster"/"enterço".

I don't know much about the maker, Sr. Alcebiades Bide, other than that he is approximately 80 years old, a blacksmith, and has been making this knife for the last 60 years or so. Hopefully Ivan will have an opportunity to fill us in more on this talented man. I do know that Ivan also said that Sr. Bide (and his young apprentice, Ariovaldo) are among the last to be making this traditional style knife.

This is a very comfortable piece in the hand and of a length that would make it suitable for many activities from slicing to chopping. I can envision it being used like a small machete.

As a collector/accumulator of khukuris and other ethnic blades, this piece fits right into my collection.

For those of you awaiting arrival of a Sorocabana, I think you will be well pleased.

Thanks Ivan, and please convey my thanks to Sr. Bide as well.

Blues

 

[not2sharp]

Blue,

Ivan sent mine up a couple of weeks ago. My impression is the same as yours. This is a very practical and comfortable knife.

The sheath is pretty interesting too. It looks like it's tucked under the waist belt.

N2S

 

[sing]

Blues,

That's a beauty. Good to know someone else is learning to keep this style alive.

 

[Paracelsus]

Very interesting knife Blues! I noticed those unusual 'bolsters' on some of the other knives Ivan has shown; I like the look. Enjoy it

Para

 

[Brian_Turner]

Beating plowshares into swords, eh Blues?

A beauty! Enjoy it!

 

[Big Tex]

Blues, you're doing all the good.

 

[Apothecary]

This has nice lines to it and good to hear that the good Senor has an apprentice to carry on the tradition.

Good catch, Blues!

 

[Brian C]

Another beautiful piece, bro. It's interesting how the chape is attached to the sheath. Is the belt meant to pass behind the leather tab(?) where the lace is attached?

 

[Blues]

That's how it seems to me, B.

The belt would keep the knife tucked in close to the body while the tab would keep it from slipping down.

Thanks for the positive comments, everyone.

Blues

 

[Ivan Campos]

Hello

Elliott and Enrique, thanks for your nice comments. I'll sure pass them to Sr. Bíde, though the 30 plus orders he got from overseas after I offered his knives have been a fair compliment to his ability.
He is ok and working 7 days a week now but I feel he is getting weaker and weaker due to his cancer and age and I am really glad to have provided him with this recognizement, even though he feels ashamed that his knives are going to the hands of people who have access to such perfect blades - he says this when he handles one of my Benchmades or Spydercos...
Fortunatelly, he says, Ariovaldo is handling the job pretty well and he seems to feel more comfortable with this now, just like if it was his last task. I have learned a lot from him also but never made a complete Sorocabana, but have done most of the operations to have one made and master them. Maybe I make them one day.
I also feel that now I have reached one of my objectives in life, that was to save these knives from being forgotten along with so much oof our past, that is so despised by the new generations of Brazilians.
Best regards