You may have seen the funny looking pocketknives that are used by every Mallorcan campesino worth his salt, and by many sassy Mallorcaholics from all major Central European destinations, including Mark from Gibraltar.

The knives do not only look intriguing, they also have very specific functions.

There are seven different models in differing shapes and specific functions for Mallorcan pocketknives. The knife shown in the photo, for instance, is used to cut bread. It is called the trinxet. There is a knife for fishermen, a knife for shepherds, one for hunters and a very special one for pruning vines.

All knives are handmade and come in various sizes. The best source, in my mind, is a small knife-making taller in Llucmajor called Ordinas. The trinxet shown above cost about 15 € with a wooden handle. There are more costly models available also with a goat horn handle finish.

The photo was chosen from my archive. It was taken in Felanitx, Mallorca, Baleares, Spain. The date: January 4th, 2008. The time was 11:53:59.