La Pampa

Product Description for La Pampa

Maker: Luciano Dorneles (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 3343
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 10.25 in.
Total length: 15.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.60 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.19 in.
Item weight: 12.64 oz.
Shipment weight: 21.84 oz.
Blade: Mosaic Damascus forged from W1 and L6 carbon steels
Bolster: Integral Damascus
Handle: Stag with Damascus pommel
Sheath: Gaucho style mosaic Damascus sheath
Description: Knives by Luciano Dorneles have a unique appearance and impact that is rarely achieved by other makers. This cuchillo gaucho is among my favorite sheath/knife combinations of all times.
Cuchillo gaucho is a generic term for a style of knife characteristic of the gauchos, horsemen of the plains of South America -- principally Argentina, of mestizo (mixed Spanish and Indian) heritage. Analogous to the cowboy of the American West and the Mexican vaquero, the gauchos were mounted cattlemen initially living and working in vast undeveloped areas at the fringes of "civilization".
Aside from its obvious potential as a weapon in duels, which were to mark rather than kill an adversary the cuchillo gaucho has a reputation as a truly multi-purpose tool and was used for tasks as diverse as slaughtering and skinning cattle, working leather, cutting wood, and making adobe bricks. In the wilderness, the gaucho could listen for distant approaches by sticking his knife into the ground and pressing an ear against its hilt. The knife was the gaucho's primary eating utensil: a large chunk of meat would be placed in the mouth and the excess cut off with an upward stroke of the knife, stopping short of amputation of the nose. Afterwards, it would serve as a toothpick. And, of course, in the gaucho's twilight in the 20th century, its use as a can opener was inevitable.
The fit and finish is exceptional. The Damascus sheath is an amazing work all of its own right. It is created so as to be strong enough to hold up well, and yet to be light enough to be easily worn. The knife slides perfectly into the full Damascus sheath. The integral Damascus bolster fits neatly into the pierced sheath guard. The stag handle is very comfortable in the hand and is nicely finished off with a Damascus pommel. Exceptional!


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