You don’t expect a traditional Canarian knife to show up on a late-night show…
But here we are.
The Moment
Pedro Quevedo handed David Broncano a naife on La Revuelta…
And suddenly half the country was wondering what it actually is.
Not Just a Knife
The naife comes from the English word knife…
But what it turned into in the Canary Islands is something quite different.
Originally:
- A working tool
- Used mainly in banana plantations
- Practical, simple, built for daily use
The Design
It’s easy to recognise once you know it:
- Triangular steel blade
- Around 15–23 cm
- Sharp, pointed tip
Made for precision work in the fields.
The Real Detail… The Handle
What makes it stand out is the handle (cabo).
Handcrafted using:
- Bone
- Silver or gold
- Nickel
With detailed geometric designs influenced by Mozarabic style.
That’s the part people notice.
From Tool to Tradition
Back in the day, it wasn’t decorative at all.
Men carried it daily… often in a goatskin sheath.
Used for:
- Field work
- Cutting cheese
- General day-to-day tasks
Now… it’s more likely to sit on a shelf than in someone’s pocket.
Still Made Today
The tradition is strongest in Gran Canaria…
But there are also craftsmen in Tenerife keeping it going.
Worth Knowing
It’s one of those objects that quietly says a lot about the islands…
Work, history, and a bit of identity all wrapped into one piece.
And now… apparently, a TV prop as well.