Traditional Knives in Central America

T

texasboy

Joined
May 23, 2007
Messages
411
I thought ya´ll might find it interesting that I am currently in the northern part of Nicaragua and have a soddie in my pocket. We are on a missions trip building a church. It has done a good job at the site and around the town. I got it about 2 months ago and it has served me well.
 
May He bless and protect you.

Which brand of Soddie did you bring?
 
Good for you. In the rural areas of CA everyone carries a machete like carrying pants. Any old fixie is also very common. Best of lucks in your good work.
 
Thank you all. It´s a Case yeller cv. I haven´t noticed the locals carrying anything but machetes.
 
My family and I went to visit my wife's grandparents in Mexico this December. They live about 8 hr into Mexico from Texas. We were cutting rope that we used to tie up maize we unloaded from the truck that was to be used to feed their pigs. One of her uncles pulled out a black case soddie, and I was a little bit suprised to see it. I asked him where he got it. They come up to the Texas / Mexico border to sell flowers for El dia de los muertos and an American tourist gave it to him. He said it has been the best knife he has ever owned.
Not exactly Central America but far enough away to feel like your not in Kansas anymore.
 
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panch0 said:
My family and I went to visit my wife's grandparents in Mexico this December. They live about 8 hr into Mexico from Texas. We were cutting rope that we used to tie up maize we unloaded from the truck that was to be used to feed their pigs. One of her uncles pulled out a black case soddie, and I was a little bit suprised to see it. I asked him where he got it. They come up to the Texas / Mexico border to sell flowers for El dia de los muertos and an American tourist gave it to him. He said it has been the best knife he has ever owned.
Not exactly Central America but far enough away to feel like your not in Kansas anymore.
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Now this is a cool knife story!:thumbup:
 
Central America was built with Collins machetes. Collins have been substituted by cheap local brands, sadly. However, please allow me to brag a little, I have a wonderful Collins machete in pristine condition, original leather scabbard and all, that was given to me by Tony Bose. Sorry, guilty as charged, kill me now, but I couldn't avoid the bragging. Actually, I'm very proud of my Collins.
 
When I was down there a few years ago in Matehuala I also bought a Collins with a leather scabbard at the cental market. Its been very useful and takes a whoopin.
 
panch0 said:
We were cutting rope that we used to tie up maize we unloaded from the truck that was to be used to feed their pigs. One of her uncles pulled out a black case soddie ... He said it has been the best knife he has ever owned.
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You know something, I bet that gentleman uses his soddie harder than all but a handful of folks here on bladeforums use their EDC (notice I wrote "use" - I'm not talking about those spine-wacking serial knife torturers). What a great endorsement his praise is.
 
The blade was worn down a bit from being sharpened with a file. Next year I am thinking of taking a couple of Soddies, SAK Farmers, and a good DMT double sided sharpeners. They don't know about knife steels, brands, or handle materials, they just know they work well. When I go down to visit, I am reminded of what is really important in life, and how beautiful it is to live a simple life. I know if I give them a knife they will put it to the test.
 
panch0 said:
Next year I am thinking of taking a couple of Soddies, SAK Farmers, and a good DMT double sided sharpeners.
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I'd be happy to donate a good, solid user or two to the cause. :thumbup: Please post a note before you go.
 
Pancho,

If you want to send that fixed blade down to people in greater need than me then please do so.

I'll gladly donate it to a great cause.
 
Central America was built with Collins machetes. Collins have been substituted by cheap local brands, sadly. However, please allow me to brag a little, I have a wonderful Collins machete in pristine condition, original leather scabbard and all, that was given to me by Tony Bose. Sorry, guilty as charged, kill me now, but I couldn't avoid the bragging. Actually, I'm very proud of my Collins.
Click to expand...
Collins was a definite legend. Our family has a Collins Presentation machete, which is unedged, but is finished for the role. Same as those that were presented to (from what I understand) dignitaries. It's been passed down through the family for a few generations. A relative a few generations back worked at the Collins Company.

The former plant in Collinsville is a museum now. I visited that once. IIRC, there is also an antiques mall in the building as well. The town wants to use their dam as part of a hydroelectricity project.

The local True Value has a display of Collins axes and hatchets. They are made in Mexico now.
 
panch0 said:
The blade was worn down a bit from being sharpened with a file. Next year I am thinking of taking a couple of Soddies, SAK Farmers, and a good DMT double sided sharpeners. They don't know about knife steels, brands, or handle materials, they just know they work well. When I go down to visit, I am reminded of what is really important in life, and how beautiful it is to live a simple life. I know if I give them a knife they will put it to the test.
Click to expand...


It's always very refreshing to see real people doing lots of real world work with knives that are real world working tools. There's alot to be said for a simple folding knife that doesn't have the latest wonder steel, the new craze lock on the blade, or has been on the cover of the knife magazine. But it just works.
 
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