Integral Cuchillo Gaucho with Stag

Product Description for Integral Cuchillo Gaucho with Stag

Maker: Ricardo Vilar (click to see more by this maker)
Item num: 94193
*** This is handmade and one-of-a-kind ***
Blade length: 8.60 in.
Total length: 13.75 in.
Blade height (at heel): 1.45 in.
Blade thickness (near bolster): 0.20 in.
Blade thickness (at midpoint): 0.16 in.
Blade thickness (near tip): 0.11 in.
Item weight: 12.20 oz.
Shipment weight: 15.6 oz.
Blade: Hand forged 52100 carbon steel with a hand rubbed satin finish
Bolster: Integral bolster and butt cap forged from carbon steels
Handle: Stag
Sheath: Hand tooled leather belt sheath
Description: Ricardo Vilar is one of the makers that has brought the Brazilian knife market to the forefront of American collectors' minds. His integral designs and attention to detail clearly set him apart as a leader. This integral bowie knife has been in a private collection and has been meticulously cared for. By all appearances, it is in new condition.
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.
This cuchillo gaucho was forged from a single 52100 carbon steel round bar. This allowed Ricardo to create a detailed, fileworked ferrule, moving directly into the satin finished blade. Many makers and collectors feel that 52100 is among the best steels available for knifemaking. A differential heat treatment ensures strength and durability along with a keen, long lasting edge.
The stag handle melds perfectly into the 52100 integral bolster. The stag is nicely downturned providing a very comfortable grip. The handle is finished off with a steel butt cap.
The knife is easy to keep close at hand using the accompanying hand tooled leather belt sheath.
Exceptional fit and finish throughout.


Availability: Not currently available