The "growths" of a traditional knife

quattromori

quattromori

Joined
May 7, 2011
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3,426
Hi folks,
here on my nightshifts things seems quiet (at least for the moment) so I decided to start a thread about something I've never seen mentioned on this forum.
It is, in fact, a technical feature of some (very few) Sardinian folders that I've seen, and I've been wondering if it could be found in other traditional knives from other places.
Now, I'd like you to take a look at the following picture (the picture is borrowed from the internet, and the knifemaker in question is, in my opinion, one of the best Sardinian knifemakers around):

dsc1706.png


Now, if you take a closer look at the spine of the handle, you will see that the horn scales protrude a bit beyond the "line" of the "arch" (that's the local name for the handle spine). It's also quite easy to see that it's done on purpose, and not just a product of a lazy sanding. This feature is usually called "growths" (thence the title of the thread), and it was used to prevent the exposure of the steel arch after years of use (and wear of the horn), or possibly even shrinking of the horn (which wasn't treated very much, sometimes just sanded). Such exposure would make the knife uncomfortable to use, and in the old times these knives had to last as long as their owners :rolleyes: so some knives were made with this feature, although this meant quite an extra time at the workshop (sanding the horn together with the spine after putting the knife together is a much quicker thing to do, and works fine to "align" the spine and remove imperfections)
So, has anyone ever heard or seen such feature (or anything with a similar purpose) on any traditional knife?

Fausto
:cool:
 
Fausto, that's a wonderful knife, I cant think of another knife that uses this method, it will be interesting what this brings out.
 
The forethought that goes into these old world knives is is so interesting. This one is particularly beautiful and utilitarian. Meant to last many year of everyday hard use. The number of pins in the handle and the wrapped bolster would seem to add strength as well. Thanks for sharing, Fausto!
 
I have a knife that is constructed in the opposite manner! The backspring is rounded and decorated, and sits up above the handle! I'll post a picture by and by.

I am curious, Fausto. Could it be that the horn was sanded while dry, and then "fed" some oil which swelled it above the spine??
 
Charlie,
I'm also curious to see the pictures of your knife. If I understand how it's made, it's another solution to the same problem. As for your thoughts about how this knife was made, I doubt it was made with a "controlled swelling": the way the bolsters are made in these knives would make such swelling quite problematic. If I have to guess, I would assume that the arch is first made aligned with the scales, then after the holes are made, the spine is sanded 1mm off before pinning the knife altogether. Yet, I will ask a few makers here, and they'll give us the answer :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Fantastic knife, that was my first reaction. Maybe you could mail the maker through his site and ask him.
Mike
 
Never really saw this on knives but it is considered correct manufacture on a good shotgun. I've heard it termed as the wood being "proud". The wood should be just slightly larger than the metal at the junctions to the action, trigger guard, etc.

Will
 
Will,
thank you for the info. I know absolutely nothing about shotguns, and "proud" wooden parts, and it's interesting to learn how certain concepts can sway among different objects. As for Mike's suggestion, yes, I could email the maker...but I'm not even sure he has a website...or maybe he does...but hey, a 30 minute drive to his workshop will clear our doubts, and incidentally I work with the maker's cousin...so I will interview him, and let you know :rolleyes:

Fausto
:cool:
 
It is pretty common on custom knives, too, where handles meet guards or ferrules on stick tang fixed blades.
Here are a couple to show, one in ivory and one in wood.

ProudWood_zpsf7130aea.jpg~original
 
I've just looked at a dozen or so custom wood and ivory handled fixed blades, most of them made by ABS Bladesmiths, and don't see proud handle material on any of them. This is a combination of mortise tang, stick tang and full tang knives with guards.

I'm interested in hearing more about this topic also.
 
Very interesting. And yet another great picture of one of those stunning Sardinian beauties! I'm in love. :)
 
Very interesting, I haven't seen either the lowered spring or a wrap-around bolster like the one pictured. Can't wait to read more!
 
I have never seen that either! Interesting design, it seems very stout and overbuilt
 
brets-ftw said:
Very interesting, I haven't seen either the lowered spring or a wrap-around bolster like the one pictured. Can't wait to read more!
Click to expand...

This is how bolsters are traditionally made in Sardinian folders. It is, indeed, one of the real challenges in making such knives; a friend of mine used to say that in every knifemaker's workshop, you will find a hidden basket of "wrong" bolsters hidden somewhere... :D
As for the spring, it's not a backspring actually: these knives are friction folders, so there's no spring tension nor movement on these knives; it's just a metal spine between the two horn scales. Some handles are built from an uncut piece of horn, and are sometimes called "monolythic".

Fausto
:cool:
 
Any pros and or cons when comparing sectioned horn and monolythic horn construction?

quattromori said:
This is how bolsters are traditionally made in Sardinian folders. It is, indeed, one of the real challenges in making such knives; a friend of mine used to say that in every knifemaker's workshop, you will find a hidden basket of "wrong" bolsters hidden somewhere... :D
As for the spring, it's not a backspring actually: these knives are friction folders, so there's no spring tension nor movement on these knives; it's just a metal spine between the two horn scales. Some handles are built from an uncut piece of horn, and are sometimes called "monolythic".

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...
 
quattromori said:
This is how bolsters are traditionally made in Sardinian folders. It is, indeed, one of the real challenges in making such knives; a friend of mine used to say that in every knifemaker's workshop, you will find a hidden basket of "wrong" bolsters hidden somewhere... :D
As for the spring, it's not a backspring actually: these knives are friction folders, so there's no spring tension nor movement on these knives; it's just a metal spine between the two horn scales. Some handles are built from an uncut piece of horn, and are sometimes called "monolythic".

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

Haha, nothing like a little trial and error to raise a little hell.

that makes a lot more sense being a friction folder, I was trying to imagine how much flex, or lack there of, there would be if the spring was kept from extending outwards.

Thanks for the info!
 
richstag said:
Any pros and or cons when comparing sectioned horn and monolythic horn construction?
Click to expand...

Kevin, as far as my limited knowledge goes...
The monolythic construction is said to be more difficult to make in the bolster area (which is considered to be the "nasty" part of these knives), while it requires a bit less work in the rest of the handle, needing no pins nor matching, just shaping. As for comfort, I have to say I like the monolyths a little more, because the back of the handle is usually slightly rounded and fits my hand a little better, but the difference is not that big, considering we're all used to handling knives with a central portion of "flat" spine. As for durability, I'm inclined to think that the sectioned horn construction could win, since the direct contact of the blade with the horn in the open position could wear it in a shorter time, compared to "steel against steel". As for aesthetics, it's a matter of personal preference. Although I'm more used to seeing resolzas with the sectioned horn, arch and pins, I have to say the monolythic construction looks great to me in its simplicity.
I will ask the same question to some knifemakers, to see what they have to say though :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Thanks a lot, Fausto :)

I also look forward to hearing what the different makers have experienced.

Kevin
 
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