Valentin Tramontina

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Valentin Tramontina (July 17, 1893 – February 28, 1939) was a Brazilian blacksmith, businessman, and founder of Tramontina. He was born in Bento Gonçalves, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil, to Italian immigrants from Poffabro in Friuli-Venezia Giulia, Italy.

In 1911 he moved to Carlos Barbosa in the mountains of Rio Grande do Sul, where he opened a small workshop that repaired horseshoes, made knives, and did other metalwork. After his military service, he expanded to a larger shed and kept growing the business.

In 1930 he released the Santa Barbara knife (No. 1), a product that was made in large quantities at the time. Valentin led the company for 28 years, but faced difficulties and died in 1939. After his death, his wife Elisa Tramontina took over the smithy.

Personal life: He married Elisa de Cecco in 1920, and they had three children: Ivo, Henrique, and Nilo.