Knifemaking

Making traditional Italian knives

After many years of training, collecting knives, researching, and meeting some of the last knifemakers of Italy I decided to try to make my own knives. The idea was not to make perfect or super functional knifes with modern machines.

 

I wanted to replicate the simple, mostly illegal made, Italian fighting knives of the 18/19th century mostly been made by horse blacksmiths, metalworkers, locksmiths or other artisans of the poorer class which never could afford a knife made from a professional knife smith like the great artists in famous knife-towns Maniago, Scarperia or Frosolone.

Those knives where handmade with simple tools of every available material and often had inadequacies construction wise or just where not what is considered today as a “beautiful knife”.

 

The production process would now be called “stock removal” which simply means to cut and grind material away from a flat metal workpiece. Unlike forging, the blade's length, width, and thickness are developed by removing material, not using heat to reshape it.

Due to the different restrictions of laws the tradition of secretly making and selling them privately has been preserved until today.

 I decided not only to try to exactly copy some of the few still existing originals, but also modify or improve some details. Always trying to stay close to the tradition and avoid the use of machines. So, for now, the only steps, done with electric help, are drilling the holes and the raw cutting with an angle grinder.

 

 My favorite models are:

The 18-19th century Sfarziglia Napoletana

The 19th century Coltello Napoletano

The 19-20th century Mozzetta Frosolone

 I also do small EDC Pocketknives or Kitchen and Outdoor/Hunting knifes, but always with traditional style and materials (steel, brass, olive wood or Buffalo horn) .

 

Engraving and symbols

The engravings, which are often not more than simple, scratched drawings and some design features have often a mystical or symbolic character. We constantly will find the number 3 which may refer to catholic religious symbols or also to legends of the criminal clans or the “honor code” of the ritual duel of the lower classes.

For example the “Tre Scrocchi” the three “tooths” of the spring mechanic which are making the characteristic sound when the knife is opened. 

 

Here the first click stands for a warning: I am a “cavaliere”/I have a knife and will use it to defend my honor/life. The second click symbolizes the challenge to a duel “ La Sfida” ..and finally the third stands for the fight itself. (“Dichiaramento”)

There also have also been three types of duels since ever: 1. A Zumpata – a ritual knife dance with strict rules and no touching of the “opponent”...2. A Primo sangue - to the first blood....3. A ultimo sangue - a fight until death.

 

Original Coltello Napoletano

 

 

 

 

... in the making.