French Army Bivouac Knife

[Faiaoga]

One interesting folding knife that I had never run across before is a French Army Bivouac Knife. It is an interesting pattern with detachable fork, spoon and (naturally, it is French) a corkscrew for wine. Apparently, it can be purchased in the USA from Lee Valley Tools.

www.leevalley.com/en/garde

 

[ufox9al]

I bought it from Lee Valley in Canada though mail order and, once received, promptly returned it to the store. I am used to Victorinox quality of pocket knives and this one is not even close.

 

[John A. Larsen]

I bought one at a gun show in Turku, Finland for 10 Euros, it was worth that price but for $29.95 I think it is over priced. john

 

[GIRLYmann]

pictures covering three progressive generations of said food utensil.
http://translate.google.com./transl...om/t24768-le-couteau-tatou-et-ses-successeurs

 

[John A. Larsen]

Looks like mine is the 2nd generation except no marking on the blade except for a small stamping "Stainless", my fork has the same six side cut out hole as the spoon, no made in France, in fact no markings other than that "Stainless" and no wire belt hanger, just a cloth belt loop on the back of the sheath. Inside of the flap of the sheath is a Black Label with white leaders "MilTec". Maybe this is a sterile version for Spec Ops soldiers? (Or a civilian model). John

 

[GIRLYmann]

fabriqués en Chine

quite a mystery....
"BIVOUAC INOX FRANCE" marked

i believe DCA France was involved in a past legal dispute with Tarrerias-Bonjean
http://www.dca-france.com/AppliImages/Divers/decision-justice.html
http://www.pagewill.com/ets-tarreria...sas-64871.html
markings of Tarrerias-Bonjean constitutes raised letters "TB" enclosed in a circle.

http://www.worldknifedb.net/collec/fiches/20-11-tarrerias bonjean.htm
http://www.worldknifedb.net/collec/fiches/20-02-tarrerias bonjean.htm

"ARMEE DE TERRE" marked

note the screw head used to fasten the cork screw tool
as opposed to the flat rivet

 

[GIRLYmann]

Black Label with white leaders "MilTec".. John

"
Mil-Tec - founded in 1971 in *Rottenburg/Neckar, and has been selling mainly military clothing and equipment. Utilisation of original military surplus marked the beginning of our business. We grade the surplus and bring it to a civilian market exclusively. Original military surplus from all over the world sold by Sturm has become a key element of work and street wear as well as part of alternative fashion everywhere.

Introduction of our trademark Mil-Tec in 1995 highlighted the development of a wide range of functional clothing and outdoor equipment combining functionality, good shape and durability with quality and fit of the military prototypes.
"
http://www.sturm-miltec.de/about-us.htm
*http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rottenburg_am_Neckar

 

[John A. Larsen]

Girlymann, That is the one I have. Thanks. John

 

[GIRLYmann]

marketed under this german label, in europe

are these slightly shorter chinese models
one of which whose set-up, includes an led light

 

[GIRLYmann]

french issued knives
http://translate.google.com./transl...ioncouteau.free.fr/COUTEAU%20FRANCEcombat.htm
current "ARMEE DE TERRE"
from french makers, Tatou (armadillo).
knife is a 100% french
but don't go looking for it any day soon...or perhaps join the legion.

http://translate.google.com./transl...=http://www.couteautatou.com/Descriptifs.html
http://translate.google.com./transl...p://fr.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tatou_%28couteau%29

 

[GIRLYmann]

"ARMEE DE TERRE"
is military marking.
guess that's an obvious safe choice.
Voilà!

variation with non-cut out blade along with semi-disc thumb stud
purportedly in service with armée de l´air française (air force)
with unconfirmed reports of distribution during special operations.

"French army soldiers of the 92nd Infantry Regiment eat their combat rations* during a break in Opération Serval, Feb. 11, 2013."

* http://www.viiphoto.com/detailStory.php?news_id=1193
http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/ready-to-eat-thirty-years-of-the-mre-–-part-five/
Bon appétit, mon ami...