Sardinian knives

Sardinian knives, sharp tradition that cuts through history. Knife making; once a vital trade, now artisan crafts at its best. The knife museum in Arbus is where legacy, heritage and craftsmanship come together.

On a very warm autumn Sunday we headed for the little town of Arbus. Kind of half up into the mountains at 311 m.a.s.l. The road from Iglesias to Arbus are winding up and up and then down to the village of Fluminimaggiore. Which of course is then perfect place for a quick stop for coffee. 

Before taking the winding road up and up again on the other side of Fluminimaggiore. Across the hills and over lonely areas of woods and open land on the top. Then winding down again a little bit to the little town of Arbus. And here, there’s a little gem of a place.

Sardinia: Not Only A Sunny Part of Italy

One of the things I certainly did not know about Sardinia before my first visit was how many types of crafts they have that are unique to the island. Me, and I’m sure many others, think of Sardinia as just a sunny part of Italy – now I know that it is much, much more than that.

It turns out Sardinia has long and strong craft traditions, one of these is the making of traditional Sardinian knives. Arbus is one area on Sardinia where this craft has a long tradition. Arbus is also the home and the origin of the ‘Arburesa’ style knives. A knife with a wide, rounded blade which folds into the handle when not in use. 

In Arbus you’ll find the home of the knife maker Paolo Pusceddu and the Coltelleria Arburesa, his work shop and The Sardinian Knife Museum and collection. 

The Worlds Largest Pocket Knife

When you enter the yard of the knife maker and his workshop and museum, the first thing you see if the largest pocket knife in the world. Made by Paolo and entered into The Guinness Book of Records in 1986. It weighs a massive 295kg and measures 4.85 meters. Hardly easy to fit in any pocket.

The little museum (and knife exhibition) has a wonderful collection of unique artistic and historic knives from Sardinia. Some old and some new. The oldest is from the 16th century. 

One of the rooms is dedicated to a reconstruction of an old fashioned blacksmith/knife maker work shop (“de su ferreri” in Sardinian) complete with an anvil and different tools. Stepping in there you are transported way back in time. Giving you a sense of how old this knife tradition is.

Wild Animals On Handles & Intricate Patterns

Many of the newer knives are truly works of art. Intricately decorated handles, many with the traditional horn handles in every form and colour. Some are sculptured in the form of a deer, wild boar, mouflon and eagle, all representing Sardinia’s fauna. While others have handles where one material is inlaid in another, creating intricate patterns. And even further enhanced by a combination of steel and brass in the blades and collars.

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There are also Sardinian knives for sale made by Paolo, and I believe they are take oders if you are on the look-out for something very special. After glancing at all the artistic, intricate and beautiful knives they have you’d want them all and more.

The Arburesa – The Belly Knife

The traditional knife of this area is the Arburese, also named “da scuoio” and “arresoja arburesa” in Sardinian. It has a large and wide leaf shaped blade (“coltello a pancia” = “belly knife”). It’s a shape that goes far back in time, with a handle made traditionally of horn which can fit the blade when the knife is folded. The knife was typically used by hunters for skinning. But it was also for everyday use, whether that was cutting cheese, bread or anything you needed a knife for.

There are other traditional knives from other parts of Sardinia. One is the Pattadese with a long and narrow blade (meant to resemble the myrtle blade apparently) which also folds into the handle. The Pattadese was/is a utility knife, a knife you carried with you, to be used for daily tasks. 

Pointy Blades Outlawed – The Knife Adapts

Another is the “Lametta”, which is a very distinct looking knife because the knife tip is flat. The tip was made like this because there was a time when Italian laws outlawed pointed blades. 

Yet another is “Da scanno“. Similar to the Pattadese, with a long and sharp blade. Traditionally  this type was used for hunting and slaughter, but again, also as a utility knife. There are other types of knives and local variations and differences than what I know about as the craft tradition is an old and widespread one.

The Sardinian knives for sale are all handmade on the premises by Paolo and his son (on their web side you can see a little selection of what they have). I was lucky and could choose a knife to buy. It had to be an Arburesa for me.

That particular day the son was at the museum to answer any questions you might have, either about the museum or about the knives. He even engraved my name on the blade of my chose knife, making this piece of craft very treasured and even more special. 

Ouch! Happy Knife Owner With Sharp Tool

I’m in love with my Arburesa. The craftsmanship is high, you can even feel it when you hold it in your hand. It feels heavy, and solid. It’s like the strength of it is obvious just by holding the knife.  The blade is also incredibly sharp! I have already cut myself once, so handle with care. This is a piece of high quality, traditional craftsmanship, steel sharpness included.

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The blade material is made by martensitic stainless steel. (AISI 420, which an old mechanical engineer like me knows means quality steel with good corrosion resistance and hardness)

I left Arbus feeling very honoured and pleased at carrying such a beautiful piece of tradition and craftsmanship in my handbag.

Hidden Pearls Hard To Find

Yet again, this is one of the many, little pearls on Sardinia. A place not so easily stumbled upon by chance. Or indeed advertised on big boards, with big letters and lots of bravado. Not even mentioned in detail on the official Sardinian tourist board’s website. I could only find a reference to it on smaller, local tourist websites, and nothing in English as far as I can see. So to be able to find it you need to dig a bit, or to KNOW about its existence. But well worth it!

Curious Customs: According to tradition a knife can not be given as a gift to somebody. That would mean very bad luck. But a knife can be accepted as a ‘gift’ if you ‘pay’ for it by giving the giver a penny.

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Lots of love,

Bee

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Facts & Particulars:

Arbus is the second largest municipality in Sardinia. It is in the province of Sud Sardegna and occupying a large portion of the central southwest area of the island. Even if it has a mountain feel to it it is not far from the sea.

The municipality of Arbus includes  47 kilometres of coastline with some of the longest, white sand beaches on Sardinia. Many of which give a feeling of being very remote as they are not all easy to get to. This area is Costa Verde, with deserts of golden sand and sand dunes which are among the highest in Europe.

Piscinas is the biggest with a large dune system spanning approximately 5 square kilometres. Arbus is well-known for the skill of its craft-folk when it comes to make those curved-bladed Sardinian knives, the is arresojas.

The knife museum is located within the town centre of Arbus and is signposted. The opening hours can be found on their web site. 
http://The museum: http://www.museodelcoltello.it

http://The knife makers: http://www.arburesa.it/index.php

http://www.arbusturismo.it/it/territorio/artigianato/coltelli/index.html

Link to post of a different type of crafts: https://the-compass-adventures.com/pozzo-sella-gothic-industrial-gem-a-mining-past/