Knife Blade from 1564 Galleon Santa Clara

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A small, slender knife blade (99-2610b) from the wreckage of the 1564 Spanish galleon Santa Clara measures 11 centimeters in length, with a maximum width of 1.6 centimeters and a spine thickness of only 1.8 millimeters. A tiny hole near the end of its tang interrupts its smooth surface; above this mark is a distinct stamp reading "5" or "S," indicating the blade's manufacturer. The short, squared tang features a single hole, characteristic of folding knives like this one. Known as navajas in Spanish, these compact blades served multiple purposes: they functioned as versatile cutting tools for work, personal grooming, and medical procedures alike, as well as potential weapons at need.