Interesting knife...

firkin

firkin

Joined
Jan 26, 2002
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This hunting knife made by Forge de Laguiole reminds me a lot of some of the knives n2s has a penchant for. Plus, it almost looks like something the Kamis could make.


gyby_1756_33791326


Pretty interesting until I saw the price:eek:

http://www.cutlerytogo.com/laghunknif.html

I was poking around this site, wondering if I could find a French or Spanish style folder made of soemthing other than "440 stainless". I'm not after something super fancy--I just like the shape and feel of my Okapi, and wonder if there isn't something similar of higher quality that would make a good user. Anyway, the fixed blade knife above is made of 440C, which is better than "440 stainless", since that probably means 440A which I think is used on a lot of kitchen knives that take a not so great edge.

Still looking through this site, haven't found anything in carbon except for some of the Opinels and Douk-Douks (made by M.C. Cognet). Gotta say for users, either of the latter two are pretty intriguing, even though they don't have the shape I after. I'll probably get one or two of each sometime.

Some manufacutures use Sandvick 12C27 which in my limited experience is pretty good. Some just say "12C27", though--Is this the same thing as Sandvick 12C27, or is there more than one steel with this in the name?
 
Looks a little gimicy to me. And did I read that right $595 for 440c ? :eek:

What the hell? I might be more interested if this were forged by HI and in the range of $65.
 
Firkin, I have some links at home I'll post. Yes 12C27 = Scandvick steel, I'm with you that it's better than the 440 series. Try searching for Nontron knives. It's a small company, they mostly work in 420 (blech!) but some are in high carbon and they have some wild shapes. The one that seems nicest to me is the Boule (?).
 
I think that 440c has gotten a bad rap,do to companies marking knives with just "440" that are 440a and 440b. They are definitely not the same beast. Other companies use 440c but don't do a proper cryo treatment on it. The 440c that I have used and had professionly heat treated works about as good as ats34. Two cents from this guy with no sense at all, adios stevo
 
$595 is what I see too--I find it kind of amazing how much handwork and expensive natural materials are put into some of these knives and they are using "440" or 440A steel on an ornate pocket knife that sells for over $200:confused:

I'll try searching for that manufacturer, thanks Red!!

EDIT: The site I'm looking at has some Nontrons, and they do look pretty neat--some have lock rings too. Sadly, all on this site are 440A:( Looks like I'll have to do some searching.

This thing in S(c)andvik 12C27 has caught my eye though--for some reason I like the external springs on some of these, especially when they use horn or antler tip.

gyby_1763_16210636
:(
 
Do Nepalis use or Kamis make folder? I guess they'll try anything for the money to feed their families.
 
Firkin,

Where is that horn/antler folder you pictured? It's got the same locking mechanism as my Okapi, which I like a lot.

Thanks.
 
Aard,

Here's a link and a photo--but they sure aren't as inexpensive as an Okapi so they had better be little tighter (But for the money can't beat the Okapi)! I like this mechanism too:

http://www.cutlerytogo.com/jmongin.html

gyby_1759_25447489


ED: There are a few knives by other makers on the site that use this mechanism, but the examples I've seen so far were made of "440" or 440A, except for a couple that were considerably more expensive than these ones. Unless mentioned, I don't think that they have the rachet opening. That seems more of a Spanish thing as far as I can tell.

Stevo,

I've heard others say the same thing about 440C. Sadly, Though I didn't look at all of them, the fixed blade hunter by that manufacuturer was the only offering I saw in 440C.
 
Wow. Dang. Almost wish you hadn't answered. They're beautiful, but those prices keep them from being stocking-stuffers. Next-life/won-the-lottery/rich-wife/going-public items.
 
Aard, I know what you mean!

These are intrigueing though, and there's probably another place to get them for less:

gyby_1759_28602624


Not as inexpensive as Okapis, but the same idea--originally made for export to French colonies (Polynesia and N. Africa) and some have carbon steel blades. None lock though.

And just to make you feel worse, here's the ultimate lock-ring knife of forged 12C27:

gyby_1759_17770030


$275:eek: but pretty.

Certainly another world of folding knives.
 
Last one looks like they just took the locking ring off of an Opinel. I've heard reports of the ring failing, and wonder what the execution would be like on a more expensive knife. Anybody have an idea how good the Twistmaster locking ring was?
 
The clip points are interesting. Makes me reconsider the shape of a knife I'm designing. Definitely want something that locks, though. Had enough folders close/almost-close on me.
 
I've seen that blade style called a "Turkish clip", FWIW. Those are the Douk-Douks, the spring is said to be pretty stiff.

I tend to prefer to have a locking folder handy too, I often carry my locking Okapi or a lockback along with a SAK. Stupid laws here...ANY size folder is OK concealed, but the tiniest fixed blade has to be carried openly, which would freak everbody out. I'd love to carry a small puuko style knife in my pocket:(

Yes I live in CA...
 
Actually, I think 440A and 440B get a bad rap. Sure, they're not as good as 440C, but if they're heat treated properly (and there's the rub!), they are excellent steels. Randall has used 440B in its stainless models for decades, and Al Mar used to specify 440A in some of his fixed-blade line. No problems reported, and very tough knives -- tougher than 440C or ATS34. Note that these are in a totally different universe than the "440 stainless" Frost (and other) knives and katanas (!?) you see on the shopping channels.

Yep, all things being equal, 440C will keep a better edge a bit longer, but B and C knives made properly will still take a pretty good edge and be easier to sharpen in the field.
 
Oops, I forgot to post last night, I've got some other sites but Iwasn't looking at prices. I'll post them tonight. The Nontrons i mentioned also use a twist lock like an Opinel.
 
Originally posted by Bill Martino
Bura made a decent folder and some forumite has it -- maybe Yvsa. Can't remember.
Click to expand...

Still have it!!!! And always will as it was a gift from a brother and you don't get rid of those.:D
 
Yvsa, you are a lucky son of a gun.

Here are the links I mentioned. Keep in mind that I find knives I like first then go looking for a good price, so I haven't looked at many of the prices.

www.laguiole-southwest.com

These are big pages so give them a lot of time to load.

This site has some fabulous Laguiole Knives in carbon and stainless damascus.

http://www.fontenille-pataud.com/default.htm

Now these knives are nice and carbon steel. The English site isn't complete but give it a look.

http://www.conaz.com/

These are nice looking but most are stainless, 420 and 440.

http://www.knivesofspain.com/


Enjoy!
 
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