Spanish Folding Knives Typology - Part 1: The folding knife from Albacete - A serie of post by José

[Fodderwing]

Senor Herreros, your historical account is fascinating and very much appreciated. What greater purpose can these forums serve than the sharing of this type of knowledge by the few who possess it?
Perhaps I missed it but I will ask. How long a period of time did the apprentice serve before he left the master and began the work on his own?

Thank you and I wish you all the best.

 

[Dan of Bazz Clazz]

Oh great! Another country who's knives are grabbing my attention and no doubt, future knife funds.

I'm a weak man. Have you enabler's nothing better to do than prey on the tiny brained???

 

[screened porch]

We all have tiny brains.
My inner evil genius is wanting to make a 9" albacettoid. My inner spoilsport is saying "you and what army?"

How thick would a 9" Albacette blade be?

Looking forward to hearing about Seville.

 

[RayseM]

There is strength in all our combined weakness - steady on

Cheers,
Ray, aka - The Muse

 

[ArtesaniaHerreros]

We all have tiny brains.
My inner evil genius is wanting to make a 9" albacettoid. My inner spoilsport is saying "you and what army?"

How thick would a 9" Albacette blade be?

Looking forward to hearing about Seville.

The thickness of the classic Albaceteña is usually between 2 to 2,5 mm (0,1"). I have attached you my most basic Albaceteña folding knife so you can get an idea.

There is strength in all our combined weakness - steady on

Cheers,
Ray, aka - The Muse

Ray, aka - The Muse; aka Sun Tzu; aka male Oprah.

 

[screened porch]

The thickness of the classic Albaceteña is usually between 2 to 2,5 mm (0,1"). I have attached you my most basic Albaceteña folding knife so you can get an idea.

Thank you, that's very generous.
Reasonable price on the real thing, too.

 

[jstrange]

José my friend, what a wonderful way to enjoy my coffee break - reading this interesting post and seeing such beautiful knives from you. I'm glad that you are keeping your Spanish knife making tradition alive in the 21st century and happy too, to have one of your creations on my belt.

This one makes me want another

View attachment 1012162

Looking forward to more of your posts. Glad you are sharing here on Blade Forums.

Ray

Forgive my ignorance, but is this style of knife considered a slip-joint or does it have some sort of lock? I think its called “palanquilla” or something like that.

 

[jstrange]

I forget to add that these are beautiful knives with excellent craftsmanship!

 

[RayseM]

Forgive my ignorance, but is this style of knife considered a slip-joint or does it have some sort of lock? I think its called “palanquilla” or something like that.

You are right - the palanquilla is the mechanism to lift the back spring out of a notch in the opened blade. The back of the knife has a nearly full length exterior decorative spring that serves to hold the knife open. Lifting the palanquilla (I think that just the lift tab is called the palanquilla but I could stand to be corrected) raises the locking bar out of the blade notch.

Palanquilla seen here lifted, with makers initials under.


The notch in the blade seen here.



This is a great photo of the decorative back spring.

And of an especially lovely knife - any cultural tradition (or MUSE) would be proud to call its own!




Ray

 

[jstrange]

Thanks. So as long as you are holding the back spring and keeping pressure on the Palanquilla then it should stay locked open?

 

[Prester John]

You are right - the palanquilla is the mechanism to lift the back spring out of a notch in the opened blade. The back of the knife has a nearly full length exterior decorative spring that serves to hold the knife open. Lifting the palanquilla (I think that just the lift tab is called the palanquilla but I could stand to be corrected) raises the locking bar out of the blade notch.

Palanquilla seen here lifted, with makers initials under.
View attachment 1012426

The notch in the blade seen here.

View attachment 1012427

This is a great photo of the decorative back spring.

View attachment 1012435


Ray

Such a beautiful knife!

 

[ArtesaniaHerreros]

Thank you, that's very generous.
Reasonable price on the real thing, too.

Forgive my ignorance, but is this style of knife considered a slip-joint or does it have some sort of lock? I think its called “palanquilla” or something like that.

I forget to add that these are beautiful knives with excellent craftsmanship!

You are right - the palanquilla is the mechanism to lift the back spring out of a notch in the opened blade. The back of the knife has a nearly full length exterior decorative spring that serves to hold the knife open. Lifting the palanquilla (I think that just the lift tab is called the palanquilla but I could stand to be corrected) raises the locking bar out of the blade notch.

Palanquilla seen here lifted, with makers initials under.
View attachment 1012426

The notch in the blade seen here.

View attachment 1012427

This is a great photo of the decorative back spring.

View attachment 1012435


Ray

Thanks. So as long as you are holding the back spring and keeping pressure on the Palanquilla then it should stay locked open?

Wow Ray, I couldn't explain it better myself, if I am able to make this thing works I should hire you to run all my US operations hahaha.

Concerning your question JStrange, meanwhile the flade is unfolded it remain fixed, since the palanquilla won't let it move, however, on the very same moment your press the palanquilla and make a bit of pression the blade will be released. When that happen you can stop making any force or pression to the palanquilla or you will ruin it, you can proceed to fold your blade with no problems at all.

Here's a quick video, it's on Spanish but as soon as you see 10 seconds of video you will totally get it:

Best regards,

José

 

[jstrange]

Thanks Jose and Ray I think I understand it now. Really cool knives. Jose I sent you a question through your contact page on your site with a different question that may not be appropriate for this venue.

 

[ArtesaniaHerreros]

Thanks Jose and Ray I think I understand it now. Really cool knives. Jose I sent you a question through your contact page on your site with a different question that may not be appropriate for this venue.

I answered it! please check your email if there's no email back let me know and I will send it again!

 

[RayseM]

Thanks. So as long as you are holding the back spring and keeping pressure on the Palanquilla then it should stay locked open?

Once the lock is engaged it doesn't need any constant hand pressure on the spring or the lift tab (palanquilla) to keep the blade secure. The palanquilla is needed (in effect ) to leverage the lock bar out of the blade notch. This won't happen without physically lifting the tab. If this lock fails you have a system wide knife failure in your hands, at which time it might be wise to just drop the knife and run.

Ray