Skip navigation bar and go to contents
Vivere la campagna
Undoubtedly, Sardinia could be defined as a land of metals and knives, being blacksmiths’ and cutlers’ activity widespread in the whole island.
Production range includes sickles and knives. With special reference to these latter, a few of them are renowned, such as the ‘Arburesa’, also referred to as ‘old-style’(type) or ‘gonnese’. It presents a rounded blade and a bowed handle, carved in a single piece, with two metallic fasteners at its ends, mainly used by shepherds in skinning.
There is also a ‘guspinese’ type, rather rounded, with mutton’s horn handle, slightly arched, ideal for various point- and cutting uses. This knife is also available as a pointless model, introduced by the government at the beginning of 1900; it became most popular among miners.
Touring the villages of the province, it is common to find out a number of laboratories allowing to assist to knives manufacturing.
Every two years in Montevecchio, a significant mining centre of the area, an exhibition called Arresojas takes place to rediscover and promote the heritage of Sardinian blades. This event has now become an important highlight for enthusiasts and onlookers.
Still within the province, the Museum of Sardinian Knife in Arbus invites to assist to knife manufacturing, through a visit to a few spaces formerly hosting a blacksmith’s workshop.