The Modest Mediana

kamagong

kamagong

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Jan 13, 2001
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Five years after it was discontinued, I finally found an Aitor Castor. They came in three sizes -- Pequena, Mediana, and Grande. This one, as you can probably guess from the thread title, is the Mediana. At 3 7/8" closed, it's right around my sweet spot for utility and ease of carry.

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I'm glad I picked this up. Though the fit and finish is nothing to write home about, it's not bad at all given the price point they originally retailed for. The construction is solid, the bubinga covers have potential, and the design has its own unique charm. A few coats of oil, some polishing of the joint to smooth out the action, a good sharpening, and this knife will be one I'll happily carry.

:thumbsup:
 
:thumbsup:
It reminds me of my Spyderco Pattada and that is a very good thing.
kamagong said:
the bubinga covers have potential, and the design has its own unique charm. A few coats of oi
Click to expand...

Here is how bubinga with a little finish can look; page down to the fifth and sixth photo. At least there is a little Christmas theme going on there Link>>>>
Of course this has my special combination of finishing that I spent a winter developing (smearing stuff on test samples in various combinations). There is no die and as close as it gets to any color added is some ruby shellac in there.
 
Congrats, sir! :thumbsup::cool::cool: I was sad to discover that Aitor had discontinued that line, since I became very interested in inexpensive Spanish work knives when I visited my daughter who lived in Spain at the time. (I do have a Cudeman model which is essentially isomorphic to your Aitor, but slightly smaller.)

- GT
 
One of the things that drew me to this knife was the closeout price. A silver lining, if you will.
 
5K Qs said:
Congrats, sir! :thumbsup::cool::cool: I was sad to discover that Aitor had discontinued that line, since I became very interested in inexpensive Spanish work knives when I visited my daughter who lived in Spain at the time. (I do have a Cudeman model which is essentially isomorphic to your Aitor, but slightly smaller.)

- GT
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He said “isomorphic”. Two thumbs up.
 
Congrats on landing that knife, I got a medium and large version back when they were available. They are pretty decent users, and are easy to sharpen and touch up. A little time with some sandpaper and the wood will really pop with some oil on it. These knives have a lot of charm. Just be wary if you go to open it with cold wet hands, I've contemplated putting a nick in the blade.
 
I agree with you on the length: 3⅞" is about right for a pocket knife. The leaf shaped blade is VERY utilitarian as well.

I like! :)
 
This one's going to be put to use sooner rather than later.

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Aitor's wood stash must be incredibly well seasoned, because the covers on this knife soaked up multiple coats of oil. I also spent some time last night polishing the tang in hopes of easing the pull. It helped, but not nearly enough. Looks like only time and actual use will break this knife in.
 
Thanks for posting that link Jack. It's your fault I wanted one of these in the first place. ;)

I don't know how Aitor kept the proportions on these knives so consistent. If I didn't know yours was a pequeña, I would have guessed it was a mediana like mine.
 
kamagong kamagong - Very, very, very, nice Christian. It's ironic how these working knives such as the one you posted and others such as the sod buster style knives and clasp knives can be as appealing as knives of other patterns such as a stockman, a trapper, a sowbelly, etc. Please show this knife after you have worked some magic on it.

Did not see your post # 11. It looks great.
 
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Modoc ED said:
[It's ironic how these working knives such as the one you posted and others such as the sod buster style knives and clasp knives can be as appealing as knives of other patterns such as a stockman, a trapper, a sowbelly, etc.
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Ain't that the truth. Ultimately I prefer a well-made knife, but you're right, these working knives draw you in. Knives like these...

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image by Doug Stowe


image by toto07​


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image by ots 15​
 
kamagong said:
Thanks for posting that link Jack. It's your fault I wanted one of these in the first place. ;)

I don't know how Aitor kept the proportions on these knives so consistent. If I didn't know yours was a pequeña, I would have guessed it was a mediana like mine.
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A pleasure my friend, and I'm sorry it took you so long to find one. It was rather unfortunate that my thread coincided with Aitor discontinuing the knife. I tried a few alternatives, so as to be able to recommend them to people. Probably the best were a range of knives by Joker, of which this is the smallest (available in 3 sizes I think, and several handle materials) :thumbsup:

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I suspect they just enlarged the pattern by degree. I have done the same myself, but with fixed-blades it is often a bit trickier, as you may want to increase the blade length by 25% for example, but not neccesarily the width and length of the handle by the same amount :thumbsup:
 
It worked out in the end Jack. It took a while, but I picked up the Mediana for a third of what I remember they originally sold for!

I have a Joker. A more expensive knife than the Castor. I prefer the Aitor. ​
 
kamagong said:
It worked out in the end Jack. It took a while, but I picked up the Mediana for a third of what I remember they originally sold for!

I have a Joker. A more expensive knife than the Castor. I prefer the Aitor. ​
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Good buy Christian, the original price was a bargain! :) I like the Joker, particularly in olive wood, but the Aitor has magic! :thumbsup:
 
Jack Black said:
A pleasure my friend, and I'm sorry it took you so long to find one. It was rather unfortunate that my thread coincided with Aitor discontinuing the knife. I tried a few alternatives, so as to be able to recommend them to people. Probably the best were a range of knives by Joker, of which this is the smallest (available in 3 sizes I think, and several handle materials) :thumbsup:

ZCnz021.jpg


I suspect they just enlarged the pattern by degree. I have done the same myself, but with fixed-blades it is often a bit trickier, as you may want to increase the blade length by 25% for example, but not neccesarily the width and length of the handle by the same amount :thumbsup:
Click to expand...
That Joker looks like it would be pretty comfy in hand.
 
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