On the pavement of Buenos Aires there are singers or musicians who perform the tango fot finish month ! And voila that these same streets also hosting knife grinders.
This one is working on an avenue in the capital. Look at the beautiful against-the-light, and the framing of this photo (2006) by Giuseppe found on the net.
We see perfectly the mechanism used to move the grinds. These are on a cradle of iron round (and therefore lighter) set on the part of the cycle. The rear wheel of the bicycle is elevated by a slight bridge, also iron round, which stabilizes the whole and can ride in a vacuum. On this rear wheel is fixed a pulley which, it seems, is a smaller rim diameter. It is connected by a belt to a small-diameter pulley fixed on the axis of the grinds. In pedaling at a reasonable speed, the man rotates its millstones at a high speed given by the multiplier.
Pictured in large format we see that the belt is crossed, running the grinds in the opposite direction from the rear wheel. A small bag in front of the handlebars allows him to carry a minimum tools and even put his jacket. Overall, this knife grinder’s equipment is minimalist, it allows him a good autonomy with a minimum of fatigue.
Just about everywhere in the world, knives grinders have adopted the bicycle, it allows them to expand their area of work. This is undoubtedly a consequence of the geographical expansion of cities and redeployment of habitat to the outskirts.
Photo © Giuseppe 2006. Click to enlarge it.
Tip : go to the site Giuseppe and see this picture in large size : superb !
Tags: afilador, Argentina, bicyclette, Buenos Aires
