A Box of Paris!!

waynorth

waynorth

Knifemaker / Craftsman / Service Provider
Joined
Nov 19, 2005
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Not your average mail call in North America, this wonderful package arrived, from Paris, complete with French air, and Patina!!! ;)
First of all, it took about a week, avoiding the predations of an evil Postmaster General!!:mad:
It came straight to Canada with these lovely knives in it!! J-M knows I enjoy knives with a little history to them, and I like finding second-hand knives in top traditional condition!!
The package, opened;Box of Paris 2021.jpgBox of Paris 2.jpgBox of Paris 3.jpg
You may see some patina!! The air is invisible, but I assure you it's all around!! I must step away, but I'll be back soon with more detailed pics!!😊
 
waynorth said:
Not your average mail call in North America, this wonderful package arrived, from Paris, complete with French air, and Patina!!! ;)
First of all, it took about a week, avoiding the predations of an evil Postmaster General!!:mad:
It came straight to Canada with these lovely knives in it!! J-M knows I enjoy knives with a little history to them, and I like finding second-hand knives in top traditional condition!!
The package, opened;View attachment 1595194View attachment 1595195View attachment 1595196
You may see some patina!! The air is invisible, but I assure you it's all around!! I must step away, but I'll be back soon with more detailed pics!!😊
Click to expand...

Awesome! We need information on the scale materials! I will take a guess. top to bottom: horn, bone, some sort of wood, and African Blackwood
 
Vaporstang said:
Awesome! We need information on the scale materials! I will take a guess. top to bottom: horn, bone, some sort of wood, and African Blackwood
Click to expand...

The some sort of wood on that Nontron is boxwood. Boxwood that was probably 40-50yrs old when it was built onto that knife
... and then who knows how long to produce the exquisite honey color that only comes with age, carry and love

EDIT to add: I I see "Chaperon" stamped on the Nontron Blade ... "In 1931 Alphonse Chaperon purchased the cutlery, starting the Nontron Chaperon era, until 1986".
So yeah, that Nontron has some years on it.
 
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First this big boy!! Actually Italian from Conaz Scarperia, I believe we call this Il Gobbo Abruzzese, or the Hunchback from Abruzzo, a region in southern Italy!!
5 3/8" long, with matching Bovine horntip handles, and interesting filework, it's an Italian beauty via France!!
Gobbo of Paris 1.jpgGobbo of Paris 2.jpgGobbo of Paris 3.jpg
A restart did the trick!!
 
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The next one was re-handled with Boxwood, I think (Must confirm!! Paris is sleeping!!) 😊 !!
Jerome Latreille did the work, preserving the patina on the steel! It's a 2 blade, with an awl/piercing tool as the secondary!! Interesting filework on the back!!JL boxwood 1.jpgJL boxwood 2.jpgJL boxwood 3.jpg
 
waynorth said:
The next one was re-handled with Boxwood, I think (Must confirm!! Paris is sleeping!!) 😊 !!
Jerome Latreille did the work, preserving the patina on the steel! It's a 2 blade, with an awl/piercing tool as the secondary!! Interesting filework on the back!!View attachment 1595265View attachment 1595266View attachment 1595267
Click to expand...

I too wondered if that was also Boxwood, Charlie. Curious to know what you find out. Beautiful Laguiole !!!
The slender tool on the end was said to be used by herders for bloat in livestock, which happened sometimes especially after eating new spring grasses ... or so I've read.
 
BrotherJim said:
The some sort of wood on that Nontron is boxwood. Boxwood that was probably 40-50yrs old when it was built onto that knife
... and then who knows how long to produce the exquisite honey color that only comes with age, carry and love

EDIT to add: I I see "Chaperon" stamped on the Nontron Blade ... "In 1931 Alphonse Chaperon purchased the cutlery, starting the Nontron Chaperon era, until 1986".
So yeah, that Nontron has some years on it.
Click to expand...
Great information, Jim!!! Nice pickup!!Thanks for commenting!! You must be a student of Nontron!!??:cool:

Boxwood Nontron 1.jpgBoxwood Nontron 2.jpg
For a somewhat older knife, it is well-kept, sharp, and nicely functioning!! With Paris Patina!!😊
 
Wow , the Canadian Post company if really efficient o_O
I'm happy to read that you like those oldies .

I bought the Gobbo at the SICAC Paris knife-show in 1989 or 1990 :-) . If I remember it was at this show that I met Robert Terzuola and bought him a knife . If I had known how his prices will increase I would have bought ten 😂

The Nontron "Aveyronais" must have the same age . So, you're right BrotherJim the box wood must be around 100 years old Lol.
To have this particular color I have applied the traditional recipe : duck fat and patience 😏

The Laguiole from Jérome Latreille has a hand forged carbon blade . The blade design and the spring design as well come from an ancient Laguiole's picture . The box wood has not had enough time to be coloured as it must be . waynorth waynorth Charlie, don't eat duck, only use its fat 😊

The Langres comes from Les Vieilles Lames association and had been built with old Parapluie parts . The handle is in horn .

Â
 
Good morning all! Here is the fourth knife, and J-M's definition;
Âchillepattada said:
The Langres comes from Les Vieilles Lames association and had been built with old Parapluie parts . The handle is in horn .
Click to expand...
Langres 1.jpgLangres 2.jpg
A l'epreuve is translated by google "to the test"! Colloquial meaning must add something to that!!
The Les Vieilles Lames association is dedicated to: Preserving and sharing the traditional knowledge of French cutlery!! They sound like a worthy bunch!!
An interesting story behind what we in North America would refer to as a simple sheepfoot knife!!
 
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