Spanish Notch Inquiry!!!

COPE412

COPE412

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Feb 7, 2018
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Spanish Notch

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I have a Dean Oliver Métis trade knife that includes a Spanish Notch-can anyone share some insight into the purpose of it? Is it for looks? Is it for combat? Is it for sharpening? Let me know! Thanks!
 
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From wikipedia

Some Bowie knives had a notch on the bottom of the blade near the hilt known as a "Spanish Notch". The Spanish Notch is often cited as a mechanism for catching an opponent's blade; however, some Bowie researchers hold that the Spanish Notch is ill-suited to this function and frequently fails to achieve the desired results. These researchers, instead, hold that the Spanish Notch has the much more mundane function as a tool for stripping sinew and repairing rope and nets, as a guide to assist in sharpening the blade (assuring that the sharpening process starts at a specific point and not further up the edge), or as a point to relieve stress on the blade during use.
 
I had never heard of a Spanish notch. Though I am familiar with a Spanish point for straight razors.

Seems like all these things are just for decoration. To me, it makes for a pretty cool sharpening choil.
 
Here's some Spanish notch for you ! But seriously, I believe it had a basic function, for a very common task at this time, like straightening / cleaning sinews. Lost on us, nowadays.
https://imgur.com/USTG1fH
 
herisson said:
Here's some Spanish notch for you ! But seriously, I believe it had a basic function, for a very common task at this time, like straightening / cleaning sinews. Lost on us, nowadays.
Click to expand...
I've removed / stripped / cleaned etc tons of deer sinew. I don't really see how that would be useful.
If anything, its probably a vestigial carry-over from earlier blade-breaker Main-gauche designs. More decorative than functional in any case, just a fancy ricasso.
 
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