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A Couple of Knives from Brazil

Here is my non-professional review of my 2 latest knives. I recently picked up two different knives from two different makers, both from Brazil. Thanks to Cesar, I was able to acquire these by trading for a Buck Stockman.

The first knife is the Zebu Barretos - SP, single blade. The blade is INOX (420 Stainless). The scales are a black acrylic, with brass bolster. Overall, it is not a bad looking knife (workmanship is good). It has a good amount of snap in the back spring. It does not have a half stop, but does have a loose area where there would be a half stop. It is 4 3/8" in the closed position, and has a 3 1/2" blade. It is larger than I would normally carry in my pocket. I have carried a few days and used it a few times. So far I like it and think it will hold up well as an EDC. the factory edge is not bad, but I will eventually touch it up.

The second knife is a Cimo Inox. This also has a 420 stainless blade. The scales are some type of Cedar wood. The blade has a lot of snap. The closed length is 4 5/16". The blade length is 3 1/4". This one also came with a leather sheath. A piece of twine is tied through the lanyard hole. The sheath is nice looking. The sheath is coated in some type of varnish (according to Cesar). He said it is to help keep them from drying out and cracking, due to the extreme temperatures in Brazil. The workmanship on this knife is not quite as good as the Zebu, other than the blade and back spring. This one actually has a half stop. The wooden handles are smooth but not rounded at all on the edges, making it not very comfortable to hold.

Overall,, I would say both knives are built well as users. Neither one has a locking blade, but have stiff back springs to ensure they will not fold up, in use, very easy. Of the two knives, the Zebu is a better looking knife (currently), but the Cimo has a better functioning blade. I have not used either much yet, but am confident that both will hold up well. I will be doing some work to the Cimo, to make it more comfortable to use. I will show some before and after pics soon.

For the price, I think both knives are a good value, even considering the extra freight cost. If anyone has any questions about either knife, I would be more than happy to answer them.

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Brazil knives 012.JPG, 192 KB

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Craig Henry on November 3, 2013 at 17:01

Nice review! Looks like they'll be good workers.

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Permalink Reply by Steve Scheuerman (Manx) on November 3, 2013 at 17:02

Look forward to hearing more once you get the chance to use them a bit! Nice review, Jeremy!

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Permalink Reply by Jan Carter on November 3, 2013 at 17:28

Nice! I was wondering what the thoughts would be on them. Cesar stated they were "working" knives. I look forward to hearing about how they hold up and hold an edge. It will be nice to see before and after of the mods for the Cimo

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on November 3, 2013 at 19:54

Wow very good information!

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Permalink Reply by Brad T. on November 4, 2013 at 11:17

I would like to see the Cimo in the open position. I have the Zebu and confirm the lack of a true Half-stop. It is like they planned to put one in place but changed their mind during blade clean up and ground it off.

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on November 4, 2013 at 11:21

http://www.iknifecollector.com/photo/brazil-knives-014?context=user

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FeaturedPermalink Reply by Jeremy B. Buchanan on November 4, 2013 at 11:22

Brad - there are more pics of both knives in my photos

Brazil knives 014

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Permalink Reply by Steve Hanner on November 4, 2013 at 11:43

I do like half stops just for safety sake particularly if its a large blade coming back at me!

Brad T. said:

I would like to see the Cimo in the open position. I have the Zebu and confirm the lack of a true Half-stop. It is like they planned to put one in place but changed their mind during blade clean up and ground it off.

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Permalink Reply by Brad T. on November 4, 2013 at 15:10

Steve,

The Zebu holds at the "Half-open" position, it takes some effort for it to close from there. Unlike my Corneta, which has a real Half-stop. This Corneta also has nicely jigged "Stamina(?)" wood handles which are comfortably rounded over on the edges.

Steve Hanner said:

I do like half stops just for safety sake particularly if its a large blade coming back at me!

Brad T. said:

I would like to see the Cimo in the open position. I have the Zebu and confirm the lack of a true Half-stop. It is like they planned to put one in place but changed their mind during blade clean up and ground it off.