Traditions must be respected.€¦ · 6 7 TRADITIONS MUST BE RESPECTED BUT FEW ARE ABLE TO DO SO....

Traditions must be respected.

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TRADITIONS MUST BE RESPECTED.

I f you have received this knife asa gift, do not forget to repay it

with a coin. According to the tradi-tion, friendship will flourish. Thisknife will accompany you everyday, a faithful friend in your hands.

TRADITIONSMUST BE RESPECTEDAND GUARANTEED.

We make it: we guarantee thatthis knife is made com-

pletely by hand; we guarantee thequality of the material; we guaran-tee that the technical terms of themanufacturing are those of a secu-lar tradition, the tradition of theBerti family.

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ONE BY ONE.

Each of our knives is differentfrom the next, because it is theresult of rigorous craftsmanship.Thus we can guarantee the quality:one by one.

Blade:

Handle:

Type:

Produced in:

By:

Month:

Number of Shop Register:

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TRADITIONSMUST BE RESPECTED

BUT FEWARE ABLE TO DO SO.

Coltellerie Berti represents themost complete collection of

Italian regional cutlery. A range ofmodels and designs is only possi-ble when one has been producingknives for more than a century.

After the unification of Italy, theproduction of knives in individualregions ceased. Since then,Scarperia, a center famous for theproduction of the ''cutting iron''since the fourteenth century, hasbecome a stronghold for the tradi-tion of Italian regional knives.There is also another reason: theproduction of knives in Scarperiahas never changed, remainingexclusively artisan and handmade.

This is why now, after a long peri-od when the knives produced inScarperia seemed to have beensurpassed by new industrial tech-nologies, they form a unique patri-mony for the knife making indus-try in Italy. Only those who havecontinued to produce knives inScarperia can call themselvesguarantors of this tradition, asColtellerie Berti most certainlycan.

rare traditions have survivedthanks to the memory of older arti-sans. This is why knives of otherartisans can be found in our collec-tion which has become a deposi-tary of traditional trademarks formore than a century. Because tra-ditions must be respected.

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TRADITIONSMUST BE RESPECTED.

THOSE OF OTHERSTOO.

Coltellerie Berti respects tradi-tion: whenever possible, the

company collects handcrafted cut-lery from all regions of the country,at the cost of going to the forgottenvalleys of the Apennines where

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Collectionof Regional Italian Knives

Our Collection“Take these knives in yours hands:

don't you feel the passing of the seasons, the murmur of workers,can't you hear a voice in the distance, a voice telling you a story,

a story of iron, of fire, of able hands?”

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THE MOZZETTI

Simple handle with or withoutspring (4 versions)

The term ''mozzetti'' indicatesall knives without a point at

the end of the blade. The idea wasto create a knife to be used only forcutting, one that could be carriedfreely, different from the usual

pointed knife of the period (early1900s) when the laws regardingknives had become more and morerestrictive. There is a variation ofthis knife with a concave blade(like razors) used for particularlydelicate cuts.

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7 Mozzetta Bartoliniox horn knife handle

52 Berti Mozzetta Centenaryox horn handle

6 Rasolino Bartolini ox horn handle

45 Rasolino Bartolini cigar cutterox horn handle

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THE FIORENTINI

Simple handle and simple spring(3 versions)

The ''scimitar'' or ''French'' bla-de, already known in the early

part of the century was in produc-tion until the middle of the 1950’s.The great success of this model,famous all over Italy and produced

in Scarperia, is due to the fact that,apart from being extrememly lightand elegant, it is very robust andhas a very sharp cutting edge. It ischaracterized by a band on the topof the handle and a metal button onthe heel.

1 Fiorentino Berti ox horn handle

8 Fiorentino Bartolini stag handle

10 Fiorentino Bartoliniox horn handle

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THE BERSAGLIERI

Simple handle and simple spring(one version)

I t is a variation of the Florentineknife and retains all the princi-

pal characteristics of the originalknife. Its name comes from theItalian Bersaglieri (Army RifleRegiments) due to the absence of

the typical band of the Fiorentino.This knife could be extracted veryquickly, when “on the run”.

33 Bersagliere Bartolini ox horn handle

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THE SENESI

Simple handle and simple spring(two versions)

A relative of the Fiorentino,without the band or button on

the handle. Also known as the sci-mitar knife and appreciated byfarm workers, particularly Tuscans.It is similar in shape to the more

elegant Fiorentino and possessesthe same robustness and lightness.It is cheaper to produce and socosts less .

11 Senese Bartolinihandle in boxwood

59 Senese Bartoliniox horn handle

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THE ZUAVE

Metal handle and simple spring(13 versions)

Certainly the strongest knife ofthe Scarperiese production.

Similar in shape to the Fiorentino,it differs in having the inner part of

the handle in metal and solid metalheads which make it indestructi-ble. Faithful friend of the farmworker it is used for both eatingand working. It's name recalls theold French military corps, theZuavi, probably due to the type ofblade, often referred to as “Frenchstyle” blade.

3 Zuava Berti ox horn handle

17 Zuava Berti engraved brass handle

19 Zuava Berti boxwood handle

20 Zuava Berti bone handle

34 Zuava Bartolini engraved ox horn handle






56 Zuava Bartolini ox horn handle

57 Zuava Bartolini bone handle

58 Zuava Bartolini amourette handle

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THE MAREMMANI

Simple handle and simple spring(six versions)

Traditionally black. One of theoldest of the Scarperiese pro-

duction, this knife was certainly inproduction at the beginning of1800’s. It went out of productionafter the last war. The name of this

knife indicates its origins in theMaremma, the swampy coastalland that extends from southernTuscany to Civitavecchia in Lazio.One can be found among the kni-ves (now conserved in the crimi-nology museum in Rome) thatwere handed over by the rioters toCardinal Franco Pentini in 1848,who was called to put down arebellion which broke out in thepenitentiary in Civitavecchia .

2 Maremmano Berti leaf ox horn handle

14 Maremmano Bartolini ox horn handle

21 Maremmano Berti ox horn handle

40 Maremmano Bartoliniengraved ox horn handle

54 Maremmano Bartolini buffalo horn handle

55 Maremmano Bartolini boxwood handle

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545523

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Simple or metal handle and simplespring (10 versions)

I t is derived from a typical knifeof Loreto Aprutino, characterized

by a straight blade and a handle thatis curved in the lower half, thus thepopular name Gobbo (hunchback).Many variations of this shape can befound in the Scarperiese production.

Destined for agricultural use andtherefore a faithful companion tofarm workers in the central andsouthern parts of Italy. Its pointed,sharp blade and shape made it anexcellent defensive instrument.

THE ABRUZZESI O GOBBI 4 Hunchback Berti ox horn handle

13 Abruzzese Bartolini boxwood handle

18 Hunchback Berti engraved brass handle

22 Hunchback Berti boxwood handle

23 Hunchback Berti ox horn handle

24 Hunchback Berti bone handle

25 Hunchback Berti ox horn handle

53 Abruzzese Bartolini ox horn handle

50 Clemente knife alluminium handle

51 Cherubino knife alluminium handle4

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THE VERNANTINI

Simple handle without spring (4versions)

This knife has its origin inVernante, a town in the pro-

vince of Cuneo. The rather wideand pointed blade, has a small but-ton that has the function ofblocking the opening movementand ensuring the blade does notclose inadvertently during use.Used for agricultural and domesticwork.

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16 Vernante Bartolini ox horn handle

60 Vernante Bartolini boxwood handle



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THE TRE PIANELLE


Typical Scarperiese knife whi-ch gets its name from the

three distinct levels on the blade.Used only for defensive purposesand produced in ancient times withtwo cutting edges.

28 Three pianelle Bertiox horn handle

31 Three pianelle Bartolinibuffalo horn handle

32 Three pianelle Bartoliniox horn handle

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It disappeared in early part of the20th century because the law pro-hibited its production and use.Current laws allow the blade to beproduced but with only one cuttingedge.

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THE NAPOLET ANI


I t is among the oldest knivesproduced in the region of Scar-

peria and it is not sure whether it isderived from a model originallyproduced in Naples. It is certainhowever that it belongs to the type

of knives suitable not only for u-sing the point but also for cutting,highly appreciated in southern Ita-ly. It was produced in Scarperia,sold in Naples and in all the Cam-pania region.

5 Napoletano Bertiox horn handle

12 Napoletano Bartolinibuffalo handle

63 Napoletano Bartoliniox horn handle

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THE CALABRESI

Simple knife handle and simplespring (one version)

Despite its name, this knife hasnothing to do with the famo-

us knives made in Calabria. It issuitable for cutting and using thepoint. It has been produced in lar-ge quantities in Scarperia since the

1800’s and exported to Calabria.

29 Calabrese Bertiox horn handle

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THE PALMERINI

Simple knife handle without springwith one or two blades (4 versions)

These “temperini” (pen knives)for office use are the descen-

dants of those antique desk acces-sories which were fitted with smallblades to sharpen the point of go-ose quill pens, or to scrape ink off

parchment. They were used forsharpening pencils and cutting pa-per before disappearing from wri-ting desks. Faithful companions tothose working at desks.

9 Palmerino Bartolini buffalo horn handle

26 Palmerino with two bladesBerti buffalo horn handle

27 Palmerino with one bladeBerti buffalo horn handle

30 Palmerino with one bladeBartolini buffalo horn handle

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THE RONCOLE

Knife handle with metallic structu-re and simple spring (one version)

The Roncolo is not exactly aknife, but it has a similar

structure and in some cases thesame function. It comes from the“roncola”, an instrument with afixed blade of antique origin, suita-

ble for cutting branches and wood.Light and easy to use can be car-ried comfortably in a pocket. It hasalways been a secondary knife forthe farm worker.

15 Roncola Bartolini ox horn handle

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THE CASTRINI

Simple knife handle without spring(two versions)

This knife has a specific use: tocastrate animals and to per-

form small surgical operations.Used by veterinary surgeons andfarm workers. It should never be

carried in a pocket and shouldalways be kept well protected toassure its perfect working condi-tion .

65 The Castrino knife with twosharp blades and ox horn handle

66 The Castrino knifeox horn handle

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THE CONVIVIO

Simple knife handle and simplespring (one version)

A knife of contemporary desi-gn, created to revitalize an

old Italian tradition; that of havinga personal knife at the table eitherat home or in a restaurant. 64 Convivio knife

with ox horn handle

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THE PONTORMO

Fixed blade and knife handle inbuffalo horn (one version)

I t is the reproduction of a knifethat appears in a painting of

Pontormo (Dinner in Emmaus), onexhibition at the Uffizi in Floren-ce. Its shape distinguishes it as aknife of many functions: hunting,

defense, work, an inseparablecompanion which can even beused at the table.

49 Pontormo Berti knifewith buffalo horn handle

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eye. After the wedding, these kniveswere usually hung on the wall abovethe bed.

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lity, or to prevail over the socialstructure

- when given to a woman it meansthat she will defend her honourand faith until death.

For the couple, it has an archaicritual meaning, to sanction the mar-riage contract.The handle, normally in black buffa-lo horn, is adorned with the classic“occhi di dado” which transform theknife into an amulet against the evil

41 Love knife Bartoliniengraved stag handle

42 Love knife Bartolinibuffalo horn handle42

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THE COLTELLI D’AMORE

Simple knife handle and springwith a lock

There is a two-fold symbolicsignificance to the love knife

which is made specifically to beexchanged by an engaged couple: - when given to a man it symbolizes

an incentive for courage and viri-

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FRONT LOADINGGUN KNIFE

Simple handle and simple spring(one version)

A knife of ancient origin, crea-ted as an indispensable com-

plement for front loading guns.Apart from the robust blade, it hasa punch encased in its handle to

clean gun wicks and a screwdriverto tighten the screws of the gun-stock. Very useful for the hunter.

43 Front loading gun knifewith buffalo horn handle

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THE SAN POTIT O

Simple knife handle and springwith lock (one version)

A knife with a particular shapeand construction designed for

personal defense. It gets its namefrom a town called San Potito diRomagna where it was producedfor a long time. It is noted for

having been an inseparable compa-nion of the brigand “Passatore”,

44 San Potito Bartolini ox horn handle

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natives of Romagna, famous at theend of 1800s.

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THE PATTADA

Simple knife handle without spring(one version)

Pattada is a center in the pro-vince of Sassari which boasts

an antique tradition of craftsman-ship in the production of knives. Itis one of the rare cases where kni-ves are still produced in their place

of origin. It is probably the mostfamous Italian regional knife withan elegant shape that distinguishesit immediately as being a perfecttool to accompany the farm wor-ker in his work. It served as a me-ans of defense for shepherds livingalone in isolated pastures.

48 Pattadaram horn handle

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THE ARBURESI

Simple knife handle without spring(two versions)

A rbus is a town in westernSardegna in the province of

Oristano, where this famous knifegets its name. Destined for pasto-ral use as the pattada, it is substan-tially different in shape and fini-

shing. Less elegant, but equallystrong and sharp, there are twoexisting versions: one with a wideblade for skinning and one with apointed and blunt blade. Examplesof this knife can be seen at theMuseum of Cagliari which hasbeen put together from variousimportant 19th century exhibitions,demonstrating the notoriety of thisknife of more than a century ago.

46 Abrureseram horn handle

47 Abrureseram horn handle

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PACKAGING

Our knives are sold in anattractive box, on the back of

which can be found the numberand name of the knife. The box caneasily be stored on a shelf. The boxcontains- a leather sheath for storing the

knife - a cloth for cleaning the knife

- a catalogue illustrating the com-plete range of regional knives

- a coin: to remind you of a wide-spread and deeply rooted tradi-tion. Sharp and pointed objectsare usually excluded from giftlists as they are considered bea-rers of bad luck so it is customaryto repay such a gift with a coinso as to ward off any ill omens.

All the knives that form the collec-tion of Coltellerie Berti have astyle that speak of tradition, a loveof the earth, and the hard work ofthose who have produced them.And naturally of those who haveused them. Created for specificuses, the knives have been modi-fied over the years, reaching theirmost aesthetic and functionalshape.Evolving in this way, the shapes

Parts of the ''Fiorentino'' knife:A) blade; B) horn handle; C) spring;D) bands; E) rings.

E

E

A

B

D

DC

Parts of the Zuava knife: A) blade; B) handle metallic plate;C) spring; D) “sodi”; E) “guance”.

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Being tied to traditions has notallowed modern technology tointerfere with the exquisite craft-smanship used in the creation ofthese knives, which has remainedunchanged since the 1800's untiltoday. And it is evident in the enti-re range of Italian regional knives.Today the Berti family continuesto put all its experience and tradi-tion into creating knives of Italiantradition .

No longer destined for the farmworker, the users of simple andfunctional tools, these knives havebecome a source of ancient tradi-tions and a way of life in harmonywith nature. They hold a part of our past, a partof us.

and types of the knives wereunquestionably tied to their placeof origin. The social organizationand prevalence of certain types ofwork over others in the period pre-ceding the unification of Italymeant that different types of kni-ves were developed in differentareas. Changes in the social struc-ture determined the fate of certainknives which disappeared alongwith the very social organization

which necessitated their creationand success.The fact that the handles of theseknives were made entirely ofhorns, through a process of ben-ding characteristic of the Scarperiaregion, made them solid and eco-nomical.This was always its strong point,until it was no longer cost effecti-ve given the time and effort nee-ded for such high quality work.

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TRADITION HASA NAME: SCARPERIA

Scarperia is a mandatory stopfor those wishing to reach

Florence from the north and hasbeen renowned since the 14th cen-tury for the quality and resistanceof its blades. This fame was revi-ved after the unification of Italy,creating a great national market for

the knives of Scarperia. As moreand more regional knife makersbegan going out of business,numerous models which constitu-ted the rich tradition of the Italiancutlery, were sent to Scarperia forsafekeeping and thus it became theTuscan depositary of a preciouspatrimony. A patrimony that hasweathered great industrial tran-sformations intact. This is thesecret of Scarperia.

COLTELLERIE BERTI s.n.c.di Andrea Berti & C.

Via della Resistenza, 1250038 SCARPERIA (Firenze)

Telephone 0558469903Fax 0558468014

e-mail: [email protected]

Italia Cursoria (NorimbergaXVIII century)

Biblioteca Inventario 34/54 - IGM

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TRADITIONHAS A SECRET:

CRAFTSMANSHIP

How have the knives of theScarperia's tradition mana-

ged to survive industrial growthand changes in technology? Thereis a secret. Over the centuries theartisans of Scarperia have econo-mized on the use of materials and

have reaped the advantages ofusing manual labour. Working inhorn was a real “industrial” secretin olden days, it was an extremelylaborious and complex job. Thehorn handles endowed the knifewith great strength and lightness.This type of elaboration, was ren-dered uneconomical by industrialtechnology since it is not the kindof work which can be automated.This particular way of making kni-

ves by hand has reached us intactand unchanged and has brought aprecious patrimony to the cutlerytradition of Scarperia.

this wonderful family tradition alive.It is not enough to produce knives inScarperia in order to be heirs of itstradition: it is necessary to have beendoing it for sometime, just about acentury.

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TRADITION HASA SURNAME: BERTI.

The Berti family has been produ-cing knives for more than a 100

years, since 1895 when David Bertiopened his shop in Via dell’Oche inScarperia. And they have continuedto do so without interruption: afterDavid there were Severino andAlvaro and now Andrea is keeping David Berti Severino Berti Alvaro Berti Andrea Berti

1895“Mozzetta”

1895David Berti

1996Andrea Berti

Our collection knivesare enclosed in a cardboard box,

designed like a book so that it can be kept on a shelf.Because each one has a story to tell.

The box contains: - a leather sheath for the knife

- a cloth for cleaning- this catalogue

- and a coin: because traditions must be respected.

Art

M. B

ON

INI

Traditions must be respected.€¦ · 6 7 TRADITIONS MUST BE RESPECTED BUT FEW ARE ABLE TO DO SO....

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