Old Italian knife

[hearandgone]

I ran across this old (seller said 1880) Italian knife and thought it was interesting. It’s 8” long open, stamped with what I think is a Sun symbol and G. Milani Il Figlio. I’m not sure about the “Il” though. The handle is not lined and is made of horn, possibly goat horn. If anyone has any knowledge about this type of knife please share it with me.

[Bill DeShivs]

Pictures of the back spring and blade well would be welcomed.
It's difficult to see how the handle is unlined, but has a metal rear bolster.

[hearandgone]

There is a back spring which appears to be connected to the rear bolster. However, the blade well looks like it was roughly cut in the horn.

[Bill DeShivs]

How interesting. Overlays!

[hearandgone]

Now I’m really interested (ignorant). What are overlays?

[Bill DeShivs]

Rather than being solid, the bolsters are thin and shaped to fit over the horn.

[whippersnapper]

Interesting but maybe not the most robust I wouldn't think...

[Bill DeShivs]

No, but better than just using horn.

[Shawnee_B]

Overlaid bolster over the horn could help prevent the horn warping as easily?

[Bill DeShivs]

Yes, and add rigidity to the joint.

[Shawnee_B]

That does.
You know I like French knives. I still make a few laguioles. Actually my current edc is a simple Thiers wood scaled liner lock. Decades ago I bought a mess of knives from Gilles at Fontenille Pautaud. Several Corsican vendetta, love those. Enjoyed talking to Gilles, another character.

[Bill DeShivs]

I still have my Laguiole you sent me!

[Shawnee_B]

Was a "laguiole elite" frame wasn't it? Can't contact Hermann or the co. He was out of Quebec, visited with his son when i was in Maine. Sent me a horn lag out their shop that was never for sale, it's beautiful. If people look they will see French do some spectacular work. Firework slash engraving / dremmel is superb. French also think somewhat out of the box on designs. ( no im not french) visit Fontenile Pautaud, Thiers, website and drool. Some newer laguiole sites/ purveyors out now too.

I'm currently making a snakewood laguiole with corkscrew. I'll work on getting pics. Just finished a few puukkos too.

[mediterranean]

Beautiful! It's a traditional Italian knife called "Fiorentino", meaning from Florence. The signature is "G. Milani e Figlio": Giovanni Milani and son. The sun symbol is the maker's mark, and it was made in Scarperia, a major knife-making city, like Maniago and Frosolone.

I don't know specific dates for the Milani cutlery, when it opened or when it closed, but I would guess this example is early to mid-20th century. Maybe not 1880s, I don't think the knife model existed that far back, but certainly not recent. You can find modern Fiorentino knives, well made and mirror polished and everything, but I don't know, I personally think the old ones have more charm.

Note that just like in France, traditional aka regional Italian knives are typically made (and very often conceived, or at least standardised) in the above-mentioned knife-making cities, and only named and marketed as being from this or that Italian region. So the Fiorentino is not really from Florence, it's from Scarperia. Its most characteristic feature is the two discs at the bottom of the handle, these are unique AFAIK.

I have a wee tiny one (14.8 cm / less than 6 inches open), unmarked, in all probability from the same time and place. I think it's adorable.

fiorentino2.JPG (172.33 KiB) Viewed 324 times

fiorentino.JPG (363.34 KiB) Viewed 324 times

P.S. Hi, first post here! I checked the Forum Guidelines and didn't see anything about thread necromancy, so I hope it's alright to post almost a year later.

[JulesVane]

Reminds me of the Pattada (Pattadese) shape. Likely taken from this design.