Collectible Knives & Barbecue Sets
Handmade Knives, Sheath Knives, Barbecue Accessories and more
If you are looking for gifts from Argentina you have come to the right place. El Boyero’s fine knives and cutlery are among the finest of Argentine crafts.
One of the gaucho’s traditional tools and most popular gifts from Argentina is the facón, a type of dagger which he wore tucked in his belt behind his back. The word facón is believed to come from the Portuguese word for dagger, faça. The facón was originally made with swords that were no longer in use. It had a one-sided blade and a very sharp tip. It was a longer and thinner weapon than most knives (the blade is more than 30 cm long).
The handles of most facones were made of wood or bronze, but the finest were made from silver – silverwork has always been one of the most traditional Argentine crafts. The sheath was also sometimes ornamented with bronze or silver. Some facones have blades of up to 80 cm and were used as weapons and in the slaughter of animals. The smaller version of the facón was used for other purposes, such as the castration of animals or to grind tobacco. Today these Argentine knives have become symbols of the country’s culture and traditional way of life.
Another weapon that was used by the gaucho was the sharply pointed rapier known as the estoque. This sword was used in the 19th century, to thrust against animals or enemies, and is a classic among Argentine knives Its section was approximately 1.5 cm, round, square or triangular. It was also transported on the back tucked inside the belt.
But there is more to Argentine knives than gaucho folklore. One of Argentina’s most important traditions is making asados, special barbecues with different kinds of meat. Not only is the quality of the beef key for a great asado, but also the proper cutlery and utensils. Browse through our catalogue of Argentine crafts to find ideal gifts from Argentina.
