Sardinian Knife Pattada

While today knife makers are specialized artisans in the production of the folding knife known as "pattadesa," in the past, every blacksmith had the skills to create this item. However, their work was once also dictated by the rhythm of the seasons and related tasks: they had to produce, repair, and maintain various tools - horseshoes, hoes, sickles, billhooks, plowshares, etc. - and could devote only limited time to knife-making. Thus, in the summer, once the harvest was finished, the ideal conditions for crafting arose due to the decrease in agricultural work and greater availability of time. This time was first and foremost spent in the search for the most suitable materials: for forging the blades, old bayonets, metal parts from old carts, or imported steel plates were often used. For the handle, ram’s horn was preferred due to its greater strength and durability, selected based on the shape and aesthetic characteristics of the surface; finally, once the handle and blade were assembled, the handle was then finished with brass bands, meticulously engraved and decorated with a burin.