French Traditional Knife "Photo and Info" Thread

[Slider817]

Recently I have purchased a couple of higher end French knives, and I have been very enamored with their timeless designs and gorgeous lines. I want to use this thread as an opportunity for people share and become more aware of the different classic French knives available.

Please post some pictures, and the make and model information, and any other info you have.

enjoy

 

[Slider817]

Just to get things started,

a Classic Laguiole from Forge De Laguiole MOdel # 1211STCO, in Stabilized Cocobolo, Double Brass Bolsters, T12 Stainless Steel Blade that is mirror polished, and unique to this authentic Laguiole it has no Shepherds cross.

 

[Slider817]

This one is a very trim and beautiful knife in my opinion, made by Chambriard Le Thiers, it is the Compact, model #1717, Curly Birch handle, 12c27n stainless blade

 

[supratentorial]

A few from Nontron

And a few inexpensive French knives...

Opinel

Douk-Douk

 

[Slider817]

And of course, no French thread would be complete without some Opinels, just a small sample of my many Opinels, they are both #8, however I forget the exacts models

 

[jacksterp]

Great idea for a thread - can't wait to see more.

 

[Slider817]

Douk-Douk

Wow, a beautiful Douk Douk Collection, they are not so inexpensive anymore, at least in the US

I have been on the lookout for a Douk Douk for a while now

 

[Dornblaser]

This is great, I was just thinking last night that it would be nice to have a non-US knife thread. Thanks for posting your pictures.

 

[Blues]

Here's one of mine that BRL says is from Thiers circa 1920's to 1930's:

 

[mike Berkovitch]

I have one "Le-Sabot" from Thire. It is a very good basic knife or EDC cutting jobs.

Mike

 

[smiling-knife]

This one is circa 1950s.

 

[smiling-knife]

This is a very useful site for identifying French cutlery makers.

http://www.couteaux-jfl.com/marques.htm

 

[supratentorial]

The juniper wood handle Nontron knife that I've been using. Juniper is aromatic.

 

[supratentorial]

An Opinel gardening knife and saw. Both of these haven't been used yet.

 

[supratentorial]

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Paint it black (French cover by Marie Laforet)

Some more photos of ebony handled knives.

Opinel No. 2

Opinel No. 8

Nontron Sabot

 

[supratentorial]

Commemorative Opinel Knife

 

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Nontron Envelope

Nontron Sheaths

The black sheath was included free with one of the knives but I don't know if it is a Nontron sheath. The brown sheaths were sold separate from the knives. They were also available in black. These sheaths fit the number 25 knives in the previous photos.

 

[zerogee]

Commemorative Opinel Knife

There's old school and then there's really old school (except for the blade material). That's pretty cool - though I rather doubt even Opinel goes back quite that far (though their distant ancestors might have, true enough - that region has been occupied for a very, very long time).

 

[Slider817]

Wow, that Ball bottom Nontron in Ebony is spectacular, I am thinking about getting one, but in terms of construction it seems very similar to an opinel, it just has plastic washers. Is the quality and feel that far superior to an Opinel?

 

[supratentorial]

That's the oldest pattern in my collection. I have the box for it somewhere but I'm not sure where I put it. ...maybe I'll find it later.

Here's something else that I dug up when looking for the box. It's a small leather Opinel keychain sheath for a No 4.