Corsican culture is a jewel, a precious gem that some are committed to preserving. A duty to remember? A deep-seated need? Whatever their motivations, these men and women—the guardians of the people’s future—passionately share their love for this land through music, song, agricultural and pastoral traditions, and crafts.
This is true of Antoine Tramini, whom I met in Sampiero Corso’s stronghold, in Bastelica, behind the doors of his cutlery workshop. His voice resonates with many; his arpeggios and writings are widely known. He is also a professor of Corsican studies and a passionate educator. This man, who defines himself first and foremost as a “cultural activist,” warmly welcomed me into his workshop.
Having coffee with Antoine means letting yourself get carried away in conversation—preferably in “bislingua”—taking a moment to pause and clarify, based on facts, what Corsica was like in the past and what it is like today… And to imagine what Corsica will be like tomorrow.
This man, originally from Cuttoli-Corticchiato, wears many hats and is also a cutler who honors the ancient art of blacksmithing. Antoine is one of those contributing to the “Riacquistu” of Corsican cutlery. We sat in his workshop by the fire, talking about this craft and its challenges.
Corsican cutlery: a millennia-old art of fire
Historical evidence shows that Corsicans have mastered the use of fire and metalworking since prehistoric times. One must imagine a Corsica from another era, populated by hunter-gatherers living self-sufficiently and in harmony with nature. Certain written records indicate human settlement at locations strategic for survival: near water, clay, and also not far from the island’s deposits used for steel production.
Another key factor in this history is Corsica’s strategic location in the heart of the Mediterranean. This position has made it a major hub for cultural and economic exchange. It is also what has led to numerous invasions throughout its history.
As the years go by, craftsmanship is honed. Traveling blacksmiths will bring their expertise and leave with whatever they find here. In the Middle Ages, the blacksmith was as important as the shepherd in island society. While the shepherd was the provider, the blacksmith was the builder. It is believed that they were regarded at the time as “u mazzeru”—the village sorcerer—because the blacksmith masters fire, understands nature, and is connected to death, healing, and prayer.
Together, the blacksmith and the shepherd form a duo that is essential to the balance of these small civilizations.
The knife as we know it today was much more primitive back then, just like swords, daggers, and combat knives. Over the decades, Corsica would evolve, and the craft of blacksmithing would be passed down naturally.
From the Decline to the Revival of Corsican Crafts
The Great War, from 1914 to 1918, took a heavy toll on the Corsican people. The island paid a heavy human price during the war. Corsican men of all ages were sent to the front. At the end of the war, the reality was undeniable: the nearly 15,000 men who never returned took a portion of the island’s traditional skills with them. The women stepped in to take over. But the island remained vulnerable.
During the interwar period, Corsica was depopulated. Those who had survived the war now had to struggle to rebuild and, in some cases, leave in order to survive. For nearly 30 years, the people rebuilt and passed on their traditions while coping with various epidemics (such as the Spanish flu).
It was at the end of World War II that Corsica’s landscape truly began to change. Between 1950 and 1960, the island became increasingly urbanized. Farmers, artisans, and villagers were encouraged to move to the cities. Lifestyles changed, and mass consumption took hold. Little by little, traditions were lost, and traditional crafts faded into obscurity. Knife-making, shoemaking, pottery, and tailoring gradually disappeared.
“No need to make it anymore—you can just buy it.”
People then began to get rid of family heirlooms, Corsican pruning knives, styluses, pistols, antique furniture, and other tools they no longer valued. It was during this period, in fact, that many of these objects were collected and are now on display at the Museum of Corte.
By 1975, there were no longer any cutlers in Corsica.“People speak of a time when the village of Cuttoli-Corticchiato had 4 blacksmiths and 7 to 8 carpenters. The village of Bastelica had 12 café owners and 6 to 7 tailors.” The decline of these crafts significantly changed the character of the entire island.
U Riacquistu: Reviving an Ancient Art of Knife-Making
It was during those same years that a man named Paul Casabianca, a former blacksmith, breathed new life into this art by crafting a few knives at home in his spare time. He was followed by Paul Santoni, Christian Moretti, Jean-Pierre Ceccaldi, and Franck Thomas. Little by little, they began to revive the craft of Corsican cutlery-making. What would later become a profession was still just a hobby; but the first signs of a craft revival were already evident.
Once again, a tradition is being passed down on the island. By the 1990s, the Corsican knife had risen from the ashes. A training center (the OCERM) dedicated to the art of fire was even established in Ponte Leccia at the initiative of Christian Moretti and other artisans working in glass, metalwork, and other fields… Although this center closed relatively quickly, it nonetheless marked a genuine resurgence of interest in the tradition of fireworking.
The commercial success of Corsican knives will, of course, spark envy. Replicas will be sold all over the place, touting the famous “Corsica” (a pale marketing imitation that isn’t worth the price listed on some auction sites). These will be a far cry from the traditional Corsican knife, handmade from the forging stage right through to the finishing touches.
This is what would inspire another generation of knife makers—including Jean Do Susini—to protect and unite around this craft. Thus, in 2008, the first“Sindicatu di i CultellaghjiCorsi” was founded. The union adopted a charter whose guiding principle is transparency.
Even though the production of counterfeit Corsican knives cannot be stopped, consumers can now rely on the guild’s certification, which guarantees them an authentic product that embodies the region’s identity. To this end, a jury meets annually to inspect and evaluate the guild’s members. It awards hallmarks featuring a mouflon’s head (for quality) and a mouflon’s head accompanied by two fern fronds (for excellence).
All artisans wishing to join the guild are, of course, free to do so. To do so, they must prove the authenticity of their knives, be transparent about the techniques used in their production, and keep subcontracting to a minimum. The Corsican knife, whether folding or not, is first and foremost a hand-crafted knife, from forging to finishing.
Still sitting in Antoine’s workshop, I notice the many pieces of wood, neatly arranged on the shelves. He explains to me that all this wood comes from his property, which he manages on his own.
Little by little, I’m coming to understand that being a cutler in Corsica is more than just a job. It’s an act of activism aimed at defending a land and its history, and preventing an entire culture from fading under the weight of ever-increasing globalization. This is achieved through respect for ancestral practices inherited from ancient times, and through the unity of men and women united around the prehistoric art of mastering fire.
Corsican Knives by Antoine Tramini
A knife maker since 2003, Antoine is now one of the island’s professional knife makers. In 2019, he will complete a one-year training program at Christian Moretti’s school near Albi.
He explains to me that every knife maker has his own style. His knives are recognizable by their shapes or by his signature on the blade.
Antoine crafts traditional designs with his own unique style. While it isn’t his signature product, the folding knife is somewhat of his flagship item. He also enjoys crafting Corsican stilettos and fulfilling other requests: hunting daggers, cleavers, flint lighters…
Like most of the island’s knife makers, he sources his steel from France. This steel bar, with a varying carbon content, is then forged. A piece that seems ordinary at first glance but quickly becomes charged with energy. An anvil and other vintage tools take center stage. The synergy between Antoine and the fire is fascinating.
So much so that I even forget to ask questions… Luckily, he’s used to explaining things.
He then explained the process of making a Corsican knife to me. The blade is first shaped over a fire, with a hammer, and using a file. Next comes the crafting of the handle—often tailored to a customer’s specific request—and the assembly of the two parts. Before beginning the finishing process, the knife returns to the forge. The blade is hardened, sanded, and polished. After nearly two and a half days of work, the knife is finished, polished, and ready to go.
What I also came to understand this morning is that the knife—as a symbol of identity—can be best described and explained by the person who crafts it. In fact, this is one of the only ways to ensure the authenticity of products—whatever they may be—in Corsica: by going out to meet the passionate producers, artisans, and creators.
Antoine, for his part, is never far from his workshop in Bastelica, in a place called Vignola. He enjoys welcoming his customers and talking about his craft.
Address: Campitrosu Bridge, Vignola, 20119 Bastelica
