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Information about Marietti and this knife (from north of Italy)
- Thread starter Falcata
- Start date
?... What do you know about the brand and the model? It's vintage?
draggat
Gold Member
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- Jul 26, 2010
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The question would probably be answered better in the Traditional Forum
www.bladeforums.com
It looks like a version of a Piemontese (Piedmontese) pattern. There is a currently made version of this knife although it has wood instead of plastic scales. It appears to be similar to the Opinel, with a ring lock.
As to age, I couldn't tell you. I can't imagine it would be worth a lot as there are countless similar knives that are very inexpensive. These types of knives are very common throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. The question to ask, what is it worth to you?
Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades
Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs
www.bladeforums.com
It looks like a version of a Piemontese (Piedmontese) pattern. There is a currently made version of this knife although it has wood instead of plastic scales. It appears to be similar to the Opinel, with a ring lock.
As to age, I couldn't tell you. I can't imagine it would be worth a lot as there are countless similar knives that are very inexpensive. These types of knives are very common throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. The question to ask, what is it worth to you?
The AI tells me it’s the Opinel of Piedmont and that the company still exists. It dates it to the late ’80s and ’90s. But the AI lies more than a politician…The question would probably be answered better in the Traditional Forum
Traditional Folders and Fixed Blades
Discussion of classic Hunters, Trappers, Lockbacks, Slipjoints, Skinners and other classic designs
It looks like a version of a Piemontese (Piedmontese) pattern. There is a currently made version of this knife although it has wood instead of plastic scales. It appears to be similar to the Opinel, with a ring lock.
As to age, I couldn't tell you. I can't imagine it would be worth a lot as there are countless similar knives that are very inexpensive. These types of knives are very common throughout Italy, Spain, Portugal and France. The question to ask, what is it worth to you?
Un italiano, per favore
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Well, yes, it’s a Piemontese-style blade with a friction lock, stamped carbon steel blade (made in Torino). The only unusual thing is its plastic handles, which are intact, and it seems the knife was made between the ’70s and ’80s.
Obviously, my knife isn't an Opinel clone; it faithfully follows the traditional Piedmontese design. Check out this post...
It must have been kept in a box, as it looks almost new. The older versions were aimed at the rural world, but like the Pallarès and Opinel, they became a very common multi-purpose tool in Italy.
I found Marietti’s website (here) , and in their history section, it reads…
"The Company was founded in 1860, when, by channeling the waters of the Viana torrent and adding wheels and turbines, the founder had the motive force required to start the first knives production.
Giovanni Batistta Marietti
That same year also saw the first sales of knives, including multiple use blades. Pocket knives remained our mainstay for decades, but by no means our only product. Mariettiwas also producing scissors, pruning shears and even cutting tools for cobblers. Marietti remained a family run business for almost a century.
After the Second World War Marietti became a limited company. There followed a restructuring of production and streamlining of the product range itself, eventually enabling Marietti enabling Marietti to earn its place as one of Europe''s leading knife and kitchenware manufacturers.
In recent years the Marietti Company has benefitted from fresh input by its present managerial team and its shareholding structure has changed considerably. From this solid foundation, modern management and in-depth knowledge of the local market, it still continues to maintain a watchful eye on worldwide competition."
I think finding a Marietti from between the start of their production and the post-war era is like finding a little treasure. Mine must be an attempt to survive the crisis caused by the influx of Asian cutlery. Even so, I love its carbon blade—and even the plastic handles.
The originals (wood scales). See this blog.
Curiosity: on this website (here) , a reference for Opinel collectors, you can see a Marietti clone of the frech knive (not very high quality).
Obviously, my knife isn't an Opinel clone; it faithfully follows the traditional Piedmontese design. Check out this post...
It must have been kept in a box, as it looks almost new. The older versions were aimed at the rural world, but like the Pallarès and Opinel, they became a very common multi-purpose tool in Italy.
I found Marietti’s website (here) , and in their history section, it reads…
"The Company was founded in 1860, when, by channeling the waters of the Viana torrent and adding wheels and turbines, the founder had the motive force required to start the first knives production.
Giovanni Batistta Marietti
That same year also saw the first sales of knives, including multiple use blades. Pocket knives remained our mainstay for decades, but by no means our only product. Mariettiwas also producing scissors, pruning shears and even cutting tools for cobblers. Marietti remained a family run business for almost a century.
After the Second World War Marietti became a limited company. There followed a restructuring of production and streamlining of the product range itself, eventually enabling Marietti enabling Marietti to earn its place as one of Europe''s leading knife and kitchenware manufacturers.
In recent years the Marietti Company has benefitted from fresh input by its present managerial team and its shareholding structure has changed considerably. From this solid foundation, modern management and in-depth knowledge of the local market, it still continues to maintain a watchful eye on worldwide competition."
I think finding a Marietti from between the start of their production and the post-war era is like finding a little treasure. Mine must be an attempt to survive the crisis caused by the influx of Asian cutlery. Even so, I love its carbon blade—and even the plastic handles.
The originals (wood scales). See this blog.
Curiosity: on this website (here) , a reference for Opinel collectors, you can see a Marietti clone of the frech knive (not very high quality).
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