Does anyone have any experience with modern Spanish made Navajas? I think that I might want to add one to the collection at some point and I've found a few sellers but they are pretty sketchy on the details. So if anyone knows of reputable Spanish knife makers I be grateful for any information.
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The Navaja; Modern Spanish Fighting Knives.
- Thread starter eak3
- Start date
I've had two, and they were both junk.
One was an Espisito, the other was a Joker. Both from Spain.
Where would I begin to describe how bad they were-
Horrible fit and finish, gaps all over the place.
The lock on the Joker looked like it had been filed and hammered by a blind man, and then run over by a truck. And it had so much forward-to-back blade play that I could feel, and see the blade bouncing back and forth if I shook the knife in my hand.
Neither knife had a blade stop when closed. Instead, when closed, the edge of the blade hit a pin passing through the handle (so I guess the pin was the blade stop). As a result, there was a noticeable dent in the edge from hitting the pin.
Total junk. And both eventually went into the trash.
I really like the style, but I haven't found one that was worth owning. And I've wasted enough money on them already so I've stopped looking.
One was an Espisito, the other was a Joker. Both from Spain.
Where would I begin to describe how bad they were-
Horrible fit and finish, gaps all over the place.
The lock on the Joker looked like it had been filed and hammered by a blind man, and then run over by a truck. And it had so much forward-to-back blade play that I could feel, and see the blade bouncing back and forth if I shook the knife in my hand.
Neither knife had a blade stop when closed. Instead, when closed, the edge of the blade hit a pin passing through the handle (so I guess the pin was the blade stop). As a result, there was a noticeable dent in the edge from hitting the pin.
Total junk. And both eventually went into the trash.
I really like the style, but I haven't found one that was worth owning. And I've wasted enough money on them already so I've stopped looking.
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I agree with killgar. I've owned one Joker Navaja and another brand I can't remember right now and both were garbage. Search as I might I just can't find a classic style navaja that is worth owning, which I find surprising considering how much interest there seems to be in the style
I have similar experiences even though not THAT bad. I own a Joker 28 cm Navaja with olive wood scales bought many years ago. F&F is actually decent and there is no bladeplay side to side. But up and down there is some and it's annoying. Same construction without stop but the bolster is "pinched" so that the blade is notable tighter when folded and only if you press the blade inwards it touches the frame. And by the way, the steel is crap. Some sort of 440, probably "A". Good looking blade despite that. Fun to have as a ethnic knife, hardly a user.
/ J
/ J
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Hello everybody. May I explain some things?
I live in Spain, and yours is the typical "passed as Spanish, but made-in-China crap" syndrome.
Joker (or JKR) used to be a well regarded Spanish manufacturer, but moved production to China not long ago. JKR (your navaja is most likely from this line of theirs) is the sub-par brand of Joker (Like Magnum is the sub-par brand from Böker) and is pure crap. Bad F&F, crappy HT and steel, horrible tolerances and overall quality...nothing comparable to the few products that are still made here in Spain.
The other brand, Esposito, is oriented towards tourists, museums, recreation, etc. They don't make any real edged tool or weapon, they replicate dull maces, axes, knives, swords, etc. and are typicaly found in touristic places, towns, and so.
It's not there are not any great navajas from great manufacturers here, but unluckyly you all have chosen the worst of the worst, cheap Chinese reproductions from classic Spanish designs.
I own many navajas, both original and modern produced, and they are excellent knives.
From the classic Pallares (the Spanish equivalent of the Opinel) to the old-timers from the 1800s and early 1900s and the factory produced Aitor, Nieto and Muela brands and products.
You just have to search, search well, and avoid the foreign stuff. Hard to do if unfamiliar with the Spanish brands and their history. Sorry to hear that, guys.
It truly is a unique design, cool and versatile at the same time!
I live in Spain, and yours is the typical "passed as Spanish, but made-in-China crap" syndrome.
Joker (or JKR) used to be a well regarded Spanish manufacturer, but moved production to China not long ago. JKR (your navaja is most likely from this line of theirs) is the sub-par brand of Joker (Like Magnum is the sub-par brand from Böker) and is pure crap. Bad F&F, crappy HT and steel, horrible tolerances and overall quality...nothing comparable to the few products that are still made here in Spain.
The other brand, Esposito, is oriented towards tourists, museums, recreation, etc. They don't make any real edged tool or weapon, they replicate dull maces, axes, knives, swords, etc. and are typicaly found in touristic places, towns, and so.
It's not there are not any great navajas from great manufacturers here, but unluckyly you all have chosen the worst of the worst, cheap Chinese reproductions from classic Spanish designs.
I own many navajas, both original and modern produced, and they are excellent knives.
From the classic Pallares (the Spanish equivalent of the Opinel) to the old-timers from the 1800s and early 1900s and the factory produced Aitor, Nieto and Muela brands and products.
You just have to search, search well, and avoid the foreign stuff. Hard to do if unfamiliar with the Spanish brands and their history. Sorry to hear that, guys.
It truly is a unique design, cool and versatile at the same time!
I have two. One is a large 5" model marked Esparcia. Its junk. Crappy metal work, the olive wood handles feel like they would break if I actually used the knife. The blade won't stay closed. There is about 1 inch of free play in the mechanism when closed, allowing the tip to swing out. No way I would carry this.
The other is a smaller (4") stag handled knife by J J Martinez. This one is very nicely made, good quality throughout. The only flaw is that it also has some freeplay in the blade when closed. The blade can open about 1/2" with no resistance. Again, very nice but not something you can carry in your pocket safely.
The other is a smaller (4") stag handled knife by J J Martinez. This one is very nicely made, good quality throughout. The only flaw is that it also has some freeplay in the blade when closed. The blade can open about 1/2" with no resistance. Again, very nice but not something you can carry in your pocket safely.
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Well I have one. I have a custom from J.J.Martinez from Santa Cruz. It's pretty large, but fits well in the pocket, flicks open with speed, and the lockup is pretty good too. It can use a bit of tightening on the pivot but outside of that fairly enjoyable.
Here's a picture of it next to a SOG twitch XL for a size comparison.
Here's a picture of it next to a SOG twitch XL for a size comparison.
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Yeah, J.J Martinez is just a different category and level.
I'd just say avoid extremely suspicious deals and low prices (obviously) and stay with well known, or bigger brands (you have the Internet to help you on that!).
The good: Nieto, Aitor, Cudeman, Joker (originals), Aitor (pre 2003 offerings), Muela, M.Sanchez, Pallares, Taramundi
The bad (and ugly?): Exposito, Esparta, Esparcia and similar names, Mato, H.R.Nuño, Paya, Gilosa, Hubertus, M.Sanchez
All those above are just a sample. As said before, use common sense...good luck on your search! :thumbup:
I'd just say avoid extremely suspicious deals and low prices (obviously) and stay with well known, or bigger brands (you have the Internet to help you on that!).
The good: Nieto, Aitor, Cudeman, Joker (originals), Aitor (pre 2003 offerings), Muela, M.Sanchez, Pallares, Taramundi
The bad (and ugly?): Exposito, Esparta, Esparcia and similar names, Mato, H.R.Nuño, Paya, Gilosa, Hubertus, M.Sanchez
All those above are just a sample. As said before, use common sense...good luck on your search! :thumbup:
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Peacent,what is your opinion,which brand should I get,some Expositos look good,and are not cheap,and a lot of people put down Joker ,Nieto and Aitor.I have to order knives online and cant handle them first,will get Cudeman navaja with stag handle,seems good quality from picture and one of Barbudo navajas.How is Martinez albainox brand?Is that the same brand as JJ.Martinez?
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Awesome write-up Peacent i learned much :thumbup: and that custom is sexy as hell JohnnyMayhem
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Expositos are good, but I personally like Aitor the best.
Their pre 2003 products are really nice (they outsourced and moved to China at that time) and true Spanish cutlery.
Quality SAK-like knives and fixed blades, from the good old times.
So I guess their navajas will be good to, if they follow the old QC and F&F patterns.
Cudeman is also nice, but not as good IMO. JJ Martinez is another good example.
Martinez Albainox is junk, it's the equivalent to MTech or United Cutlery in the US. They do not build or manufacture anything, they just import 100% of their products from Chinese factories with sloppy materials, bad quality control and crappy construction. Avoid Albainox like the plague, they're aimed for those not into the knife hobby, tourists and those looking for cheap wallhangers!
Stay with Aitor if you have to go Spanish cutlery! :thumbup:
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How are M Fernandez and Celaya brands?
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If you love knives do not buy anything from Spain.
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I disagree
I could be hours like this.
a greeting
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I have a few Muela and Aitor fixed blade knives from around 2002 and they are nicely made. I also have a couple of present day Cudeman fixed blade knives that are also nice. I would be very hesitant to buy anything from Spain now unless it was a very expensive. You could try looking at some South American made knives in the Spanish tradition. There are some excellent makers in South America. Ranz is an excellent South American knife maker.