La Griffe by Fred Perrin

Blues

Blues

hovering overhead
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A while back we had some discussions on neck knives, and as this was an area I was becoming interested in, I began to dabble a little in it.

First I purchased a Stiff KISS. For Seventeen bucks, how could you go wrong? A nice fun knife to experiment with.

Then I got a REKAT Hobbit Fang/Utility. (Straight vs. curved handle.) Nice Black T coated 1095 steel. Good kydex sheath and strong enough to abuse. The handle would not be great for thrusting or stabbing. Edge was okay on mine. I ended up sharpening it a bit.

Today, on the recommendation of my friend Jean Manuel Moreau, ("Nemo" on the boards) I ended up purchasing a La Griffe by Fred Perrin of France. (Available through Laci Szabo, 1-888-421-2147 Tell him Blues sent you.)

This is one cool neck knife. They come in a variety of sizes and shapes and handle materials, (can be seen on the website of the Knife Center of the Internet) and also a couple of different steels. Some new ones are 440C, but most are 1095 steel.

The one I got is an acid etched skeleton handled semi tanto. I call it semi tanto because the blade is curved more like a belly than a strict tanto toward the tip. Otherwise it is ground in tanto fashion.

The edge is ground on both sides and is very sharp.

Total length is about 5.5 inches, and the blade length is just over 2.5 inches.

This is not a cosmetically pretty knife, but it has its own beauty. Just don't expect the norm.

The hole which allows the index finger (or pinky in reverse grip) to go through allows for an incredibly secure grip in a knife this size. You are not going to lose your grip or have this baby taken away from you when deployed.

I find the grip very comfortable, and it is aided by filed thumb grooves on the spine.

All in all I am very happy with this little acquisition, and I hope some of you will want to take a look at one. This would serve as a utility/defense knife, and it is made to be used.

Blues

 
Jim,

They range in price from about $70 to $170 depending on what you like. Mine was $110.

The Knife Center gave web space to show some of the knives, but they are not selling them there. The web address is below:

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/custom/Perrin.htm

Blues
 
Thank you my friend
for that driven passionned review.

Just a little word to tell you
that the first price La Griffe
(Classic Skeletton)
are the most appreciated for
their flat design and polyvalent shape.

Happy clawing,

JM
 
Blues, I've got a la griffe as well, have had it since last years NY Custom show (by the way Laci Szabo & Fred Perrin are supposed to be at this years show). I've got the long claw model w/ the g10 handle. I like the way the handle fills inside of your fist. It really is designed for that kind of hold. I carry it as a neck knife, I got a ball chain to wear it around. I'm even quoted on the knifecenter site! I paid $150, it's a great piece for the money!

JerryO
 
JerryO,

I remember reading your comments on the La Griffe on the other board.

I also saw you had been quoted on the website. Congrats.
wink.gif


I am more and more impressed with this little knife, and made a couple of my partners envious when I showed it to them today at lunch.

Blues
 
I've been carryiong one around as well and find the whole neck knife concept to be pretty neat. It's always right there, just grab and pull and use it. The grip is great - mine has a micarta handle and a triangle pointed blade. The kydex sheath holds it well. It is minimalist, utilitarian and well made. Don't expect the mirror even polish of a Buck, this is a handbuilt utility tool. Well conceived and executed. -a little threatening looking in an urban environment, tho. You might want to tuck it in when you are out and about.
Howard
 
I met Fred Perrin at the Blade Show 3 years ago. He was demonstrating his neck blades by folding a cigarette paper in half and slicing them with his blade while they were free-standing on the table top! He would also carve designs in newspaper that he held by one corner. The makers at the other tables would gather around to watch him too.
 
Jerry,

I am contemplating buying a LaGriffe from Laci in the long Fang/G10 configuration and wonder how flat and concealable that package is for neck carry. Are they easy to sharpen? Will they make a passable utility piece for opening boxes and other mundane chores that most of us use them for?

John
 
John,

I was over at Laci's a couple of days ago and pretty much saw the gamut of offerings he had from Perrin.

The long La Griffe, though a bit longer than mine, has a very flat profile, and the handle adds just a bit to the overall thickness (though adding benefits in grip and overall appearance, IMHO.)

They will be very easy to sharpen, and the blade is a great utility/defense piece. Wait until you experience the grip.

I shouldn't think that you'd have much trouble hiding this little gem, as that was one of my main concerns in choosing an appropriate neck knife.

In short, I dont think you'll be disappointed.
I am more infatuated with this piece daily.

Blues

[This message has been edited by Blues (edited 10-17-98).]
 
I just realized that the photo at the bottom of the following webpage has a nearly identical version of La Griffe to the one I have obtained.

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/custom/FBLADES.htm

Blues
 
Hello,

I have sent new images of Fred's work on
the KCI.
I will also film him at his bench and digitilized some pictures to show how he processes to smith and temper and craft his blades.

I hope he will soon have a way to go everyday on the Net and soon chat with you !

Personnaly, I really like the small classical low profile La Griffe.
It's light, confortable and really usefull as you never go out without it.

Also the classical doesn't come in direct competition with bigger knives and are really confortable for all kind of chores.

To his own request, Michael Janich has received a classical and a long classical one for him to test and abuse.

JM
 
Nemo,

The more I read and think about these knives the more I want one. What would be the best way to see and/or order one of Freds knives in Europe. I live in the Netherlands so for me ordering a French knife in the US is not really practical.

Jan Dirk
 
Ok here is Fred Perrin address

Fred Perrin
24 rue du Carquois
20720 PACY SUR EURE
FRANCE

his tel/fax for ordering and anything you want to chat with him
33 1 60 88 41 74

Again I will notify that I am not in business with Fred Perrin. I am just a fan !
I got the chance to meet him and create four pages on the Knifecenter.
I only own (after trading and buying them) two knives friom Fred, a La Griffe classical double grind with buffalo handle and a Balisong named "La Brute".

These baby are also on the Fred site...

Cheers,

JM
 
JohnN, I will second Blues, they (the handled models) are very easy to conceal. They're not as flat as a skeleton handle, but you gain in comfort what you give up in flatness. And your really not gaining that much thickness.
Remember these are custom knives! If you want a modification write/speak to the maker and ask him to make the slabs only 2mm thick per side or whatever your requirements are. The "griffe" I have is a chisel grind with kind of a distal taper. I was fortunate enough to have one of each type to choose from (leftie/rightie) got a rightie
smile.gif
. As for sharpening like all chisels it's very easy to do. If your using a device with preset angles you might have a problem, with a flat stone or stick no worries.

It's great for most utility tasks as well, I've used it to shred boxes on many an occasion, however watch who's around when you use this...it scares people! Also unless you get one of the new stainless ones it's a carbon steel (I think it's 1075) and therefore rust's so if you use it for food (and it spreads cream cheese onto a bagel very nicely amazingly enough
wink.gif
)so you've got to clean it after each use.

Nemo, if your out there how does Fred recommend to clean and care for these knives?

JerryO

[This message has been edited by JerryO (edited 10-20-98).]
 
Hello,

I clean my La Griffe well... not very often.

I never asked Fred yet as his knives are made for heavy use...
And they never sleep...

JM
 
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