Il Gobbo abruzzese (the Abruzzese Humpback)

[Alfredo]

Hi all,
here we are with another traditional italian knife, named “Gobbo” (it means “humpback”). Ehrr..no, sorry, not this one


this one, here we are now



This knife is by the Italian region named Abruzzo


And was used, tipically, by the shepherds, which used to drove flocks of sheeps from mountains to the champaign in autumn, and contrary wise in spring



This ordeal was very long (weeks, usually) and was always on the same routes (named “tratturi”), a sort of very old green highways, large from few to more than 100 metres, long, some cases, hundreds kilometers


Of course, especially in the past years, the shepherds was completely out of the civilization for weeks, walking all the day in the hills and sleeping in some sort of shelters like these


So, a knife was an essential tool for everything, everywhere: food, rope cutting, lambing sheeps on births et cetera.

This is an old Gobbo, from mid of the XIX century


Coming back at the present day, this kind of knife became quickly popular in the rest of Italy on the XIX century, so the main knife’s factories made them in numbers. It’s pretty obvious why this knife is called Gobbo - Humpback



Specs of mine:
Overall length: 21 cm
Blade length: 9,0 cm
Blade thickness: 2 mm
Steel: 12c27 inox
Spring: steel 420, with tower in 316 steel
Handle: cow’s horn

Is a slipjoint of course, you may see a draft (not mine) on how it’s work

And some pics about it




Blade has the typical shape of a bamboo’s foil



The Gobbo of mine it’s produced by Saladini – Scarperia (FI) http://www.coltelleriasaladini.it/v...ategory=1&TB_iframe=true&width=800&height=600


Here you may see the screws et cetera (from Saladini Internet site), it’s a a modern version of the classic Gobbo of course


The handle is cow’s horn



On the back of the handle, Saladini’s symbol, the tower



Hope you enjoy, regards, ciao
Alfredo

 

[sasquatch]

Oohh! Now that's lovely! I love folders and the history behind their invention and use. Thanks for sharing and enjoy using that beauty!

 

[Magentus]

Alfredo - I enjoy your reviews and photographs very much - Thanks for yet another excellent one.

 

[Shewie]

What a lovely looking knife

Thanks for the history Alfredo, great post

 

[havocsdad]

Fascinating , to be honest I've never thought of the history of knives as such, thanks for opening my eyes and mind
greg

 

[woof]

Thanks for sharing the history of the KNife & the photo's Alfredo.

Rob

 

[Elines]

Thanks for taking the time to show the knife.

Is there any particular reason for it being the 'Gobbo' shape or is the reason lost in the mists of time?

 

[jojo]

That's a lovely knife. And getting the history brings it into its proper context, which is most interesting to know about. Thanks for sharing this.

 

[Alfredo]

Thnaks to you, mates.

@Elines: not a specific reason for the curved shape, it just make easier to handle the knife

 

[Elines]

Ok - thanks

 

[Mastino]

Ah, old memories. I grew up near Scarperia and used to strawl along the many shops there.

 

[dancan]

Thanks for the great photos and info !

 

[salad]

that a nice looking knife, thanks