Any issues closing Laguiole knives?

Dadpool · Sep 17, 2015

I'm considering buying a Forge de Laguiole knife, and the main thing holding me back is my concern about the lack of a kick.

In searches here and elsewhere, I've seen it mentioned that because Laguiole-style knives generally don't have a kick, the blade can easily hit the backspring when the knife is closed. The usual advice seems to be "just close it gently," but I know myself well enough to know that's unlikely to happen every time.

Is this an actual issue, or is it overblown? If I just snap it closed like any of my other slipjoints, will it turn into a butter knife? Is there a different maker whose Laguiole-style knives address this issue that I should consider instead of Forge de Laguiole?

Thanks in advance for any assistance you can provide!

Humppa · Sep 17, 2015

Well ... I´m not the Laguiole knife expert, but in France there is a term "closed slowly - it will life longer" (in french language it sounds much better, though). I think this term is not just for fun. The french use to close their laguioles very slowly and with both hands. A fact that I also do with any of my knives. It could dull the edge but it could also damage the blade per se.

A snap closed slippie could be a bad mistake...

Will Power · Sep 17, 2015

You should close them with care (also because they are usually quite easy to open but hard sprung to shut) and they can be very sharp too

Fontenille-Pataud knives avoid this backspring slap by having a blade-stop, check their website (also in English)

Thanks, Will

fvdk · Sep 17, 2015

Yes, the blade hitting the backspring is a real concern with the Force de Laguiole knives and another problem with this particular brand is the tip of the knife not closing deep enough so it is flush with the liners or even sticking out.

I would recommend buying a Fontenille Pataud as these do not have these problems and are of far better quality.

I have the L6G model and I absolutely love it.
Frans

Dadpool · Sep 17, 2015

Thanks for the advice!

I've checked several manufacturers' websites, including Fontenille-Pataud, and for the life of me I don't see any difference in the area where I'd expect to find a kick. I chalk that up to my lack of expertise, and trust folks with firsthand experience.

I'm off to investigate Fontenille-Pataud more deeply.

Thomason · Sep 17, 2015

On the Fontenille-Pataud there is "bump" on the back spring on the inside of the knife. It is sort of like a kick on the back spring instead of on the blade tang. Where the kick would be on a "regular" slip joint is the area that comes into contact with the back spring bump on the Fontenille-Pataud. Clear as mud?

Dadpool · Sep 17, 2015

Thomason said:
On the Fontenille-Pataud there is "bump" on the back spring on the inside of the knife. It is sort of like a kick on the back spring instead of on the blade tang. Where the kick would be on a "regular" slip joint is the area that comes into contact with the back spring bump on the Fontenille-Pataud. Clear as mud?

That helps a lot! I can't see it because it's not where I'm looking, and they're not showing me where it is.

Thanks!

Lemmy Caution · Sep 17, 2015

For a little added protection I wedged a piece of leather shoe lace down in the blade well. Fits perfectly and also hid the light coming in between the spring and liners, something that might be a little more common with French made slip joints.

fvdk · Sep 17, 2015

Here is a nice video of how they are made

[video=youtube;m257I9mCTCo]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=m257I9mCTCo[/video]

And a very nice review

[video=youtube;SdV7c2JLmi0]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SdV7c2JLmi0[/video]

Jeff_R · Sep 17, 2015

Laguiole style knives traditionally don't have a tall kick. If you won't close them gently, then I would advise you to get a different knife. Or commission a custom one be made with a taller kick.

Dadpool · Sep 17, 2015

Thank you, everyone! This has been a most helpful thread.

I spent some time ogling Fontenille-Pataud Laguioles, as well as some of their other knives, and decided that it's probably not the purchase for me just now. I'd love to handle a cheap one just to get a feel for them before pulling the trigger on a nice one, so I may go that route.

fatcorgi · Sep 18, 2015

David Dauvillaire is another one to check out, really nice intricate filework, and the backspring has a bump in it like the F-Ps, to prevent blunting

Dadpool · Sep 18, 2015

Oh, wow -- that's a beauty!

CROWEMAG · Sep 18, 2015

I was 100% uninterested in these until seeing how they are made. You have to appreciate a skilled craftsman. Welp, looks like I will have some explaining to do with the wife.

Jolipapa · Sep 18, 2015

fvdk said:
Yes, the blade hitting the backspring is a real concern with the Force de Laguiole knives and another problem with this particular brand is the tip of the knife not closing deep enough so it is flush with the liners or even sticking out.

I would recommend buying a Fontenille Pataud as these do not have these problems and are of far better quality.

I have the L6G model and I absolutely love it.
Frans

I always am dubious when I read such assertions not followed by pictures... It happens that I own one of those knives for decades now.
Yes by tradition we are told not to snap ANY knife. Not only to preserve the edge, but to save the springs on two-springed knives as in the 19th century they were made with a much worse steel than know and one could break (I say could, not would) and often the snap is 6 / 8. Some kinds of knives are even known as fingers-cutters.

Now, let's look. How can possibly the blade hit the spring on this knife? The gaps result of a long stay in water when fishing :grumpy:

Tip is safely inside

There are lots of other makers in the same price league. Consider Arto (former Arthaud with seahorse brand) http://laguiolearto.blogspot.fr/ or Actiforge http://www.couteau-laguiole.com/fr/.

You perhaps may encounter such issues with cheap pseudo-Laguiole from Pakistan and China. You can also drink Georgian (or else) "Champagne".

fvdk · Sep 18, 2015

Jolipapa said:
I always am dubious when I read such assertions not followed by pictures...

Now, let's look. How can possibly the blade hit the spring on this knife?

Well, how nice of you to implicate that I might just be fantasizing but since you want to see pictures, here they are.

If I run my fingers across the knife, I can clearly feel the tip of the knife and if I would use a bit of pressure it would puncture my skin like the tip of a needle.

You have to close the knife very carefully as the back spring is very strong and the blade easily slips from between your fingers it will than hit the back spring, damaging the edge. Even being aware of this and always closing the knife carefully, this has happened a few times.

These are the reasons why I started to hate this knife as it is no cheap knife and supposed to be a quality product. I got it as a gift and that is the only reason I still have it but I would never buy it and it is kept in a draw and will not be used.

Frans

Jolipapa · Sep 18, 2015

There is no kick on these knives because the spring is bend like a bow so that the tang rests on it (the black spot on the right of my picture).
It is clear that your blade is proud and must be lowered and shortened. I can't see the inner part of the spring, if the blade hits it it will show where...
I will tell you what has been answered elsewhere to someone complaining of a poor Queen knife : if you're unhappy with it the first thing to do is to contact the maker.