Part I: A short overview of the gaucho

In order to understand Argentinian knives, one must understand the Argentinian knife user: the “gaucho”. Gauchos were not always a highly esteemed cultural icon, for more than two centuries they were outlawed by statesmen and lawmakers who thought their wandering habits and nomadic life style had no place in a growing country that always looked at Europe as an example. In fact, even today, “porteños”?[1] take pride in calling Buenos Aires the “Paris of Southamerica” or the most European city of Southamerica.
Nowadays, the word gaucho has a very positive meaning. If you call somebody a gaucho you’re saying that he is honourable, trustworthy, a good friend and an overall great guy. We even use it for things as well, for example you can say that a trusty pick up truck that has been working flawlessly with little care is “gauchita”. The word “gauchada” (literally, something a gaucho does) means doing a great service to somebody expecting nothing in return.