Blade Notch

[Jon Christensen]

Does anyone know where the Blade notch came from and what purpose it serves?
I've been told that on the Mediterranean Dirks it is used when hauling in fishing lines. Not sure if it's for actually pulling on the line or some other task involved.
Would the spanish notch serve the same purpose? I guess I'm wondering whether it has a universal purpose or changes depending on the locality.
Also, is there a "historically correct" design for it???????
Jon

[sjaqua]

ok, I give up! Do you have an image of what you are talking about? I guessing that I don't know it by that term.

[Chuck Burrows]

Here is a pic showing three Spanish Belduque style knives from DeLaronde Forge. The outside two have two different styles of notch so I used them for illustration here. I don't think there is any one 'historically correct style" anymore than there is in basic file work.

Since this notch is almost always known as a Spanish notch I would conjecture that it is a design character carried over from the Spanish main gauche (left hand) daggers that were used in conjuction with a rapier. The daggers often had "Sword Catcher" notches along both the spine and the blade side. The Spanish continued the sword/dagger style of fencing long after other countries gave it up. Even the Spanish rapiers at times had this notch. I've never seen in writing the actual reason for the notch so I have formulated this theory the above evidence.

[sjaqua]

Ok, seeing the images I would have to agree with Chuck, that the notch most likely de-evolved from sword breakers. That would suggest that in the period we are talking about, it is an artistic element. And thus there is no one historically correct version. However, now knowing what I am looking at, I check my Wallace collection catalog tonight. The Wallace collection has a pretty good sampling of knives from this period.

[SharpByCoop]

...and I also heard that this notch, or a variation of it, was used in fishing. The goo and water would drip off the blade there first, to keep it off your hands. Sounds plausible.

I simply love the design aspect. These knives are my very favorites, when done well. Those Spanish knives are done well, indeed!

Coop

[KandS_KNIVES]

I have heard also, the notch was to keep blood from going down to the grips.:confused:
Ken (wwjd)

[Jon Christensen]

Thanks guys,
Guess there are no hard and fast rules for them. I like the idea of it being used to stop the blood from dripping down the blade or of being used to haul in fishing lines (heavy hand lines I'm sure), both are very practical reasons.
Jon