La Griffes - Great all around blade - Share opinions and experience?

J

Jared Karr

Joined
Apr 12, 2001
Messages
31
I have a custom Perrin La Griffe I picked up from Phil at 2 The Hilt, and an Emerson model. I have been nuts about both of these knives since I got them. How about other Griffe owners?

I think that, and hope someone can second this opinion, the Griffe design makes for a great every day cutting tool. I have been able to destroy boxes, and because of the short blade and finger hole, I've had excellent control and no worry of hurting the contents of the boxes, unlike my BM 710 or REKAT Carnivore. Being used to 4 inch folders and small fixed blades, I thought it would be hard to get used to the diminutive blade on the Griffe. But I freakin' love it.

I've cut carpet padding, food (great for orange peeling), and use the Griffe for general office and around the house tasks. No, because it's short it is not suited for every task, but hey, that's just an excuse to carry another knife! But I always feel comfortable if I just wear a t-shirt and sweats having only my Griffe, and it always performs to the task. I can even put it in the change pocket of my jeans, but I haven't figured out how to clip the sheath so it stays put when I draw (custom makers?). Plus, for a neck knife it is VERY light, and the titanim Griffe, fuggeddaboudit, it's not even there! But I don't like Ti blades.

The handle of the Perrin Custom prints pretty bad in certain situations, but it is very cool and I can wear it most of the time. The one I got is a little rough, but I think it reflects Fred's personality.

As far as finger hole knives, I have never had one before my Griffes and the Griffes have made me search for more. Does anyone know where I can see pics of other finger hole models from any maker? The hole provides great control and comfort. As for the tactical pros and cons of the hole, that's a whole different subject.

Also, living in an urban environment, it is a great defensive tool. It is discrete and easy to deploy, and the BG probably won't even see it until too late. I can even have it in my hand while talking on my cel phone and no one can see it. To boot, you won't have to worry about going to jail for sticking someone with a big folder. A slice or little stick is enough to get most punks to run home to mommy. If you have a skeletonized handle, you can even do limited grappling with it in your hand. That is a scary idea, but possible nonetheless.

How about other Griffe owners? Now that you've had your Griffes for a while, are you enamored with this blade or what?
 
Try BLADE ART they carry a vast array of Freds knives. I won the Emerson lagriffe ,love this knive and carry it 99% of the time!.As far as Freds designs and finishes thats just the way it is you have to learn to accept the lack of fit& finish over the concept of usability.Ive got a mini jaws and its also a little rough around the edges, but its one h^&&*$% of a knife!! highly sought after highly reguarded designer .
 
I have an Emerson LaGriffe and I love it. I haven't had a chance to see any of Fred Perrin's handmade versions, but the production Emerson LaGriffe makes an excellent defensive neck knife and works well on fishing line, rope and boxes.

By the way, check out Don Rearic's link on the Emerson LaGriffe
http://www.drearic.com/emersonlagriffe.htm


Along with the Emerson LaGriffe, these are some "fingerhole" production knives on the market:

Emerson LaGriffe
LA-GRIFFE.JPG


CRKT Bear Claw (Russ Kommer design)
cr2500a.jpg


Gerber Chameleon
6410w.jpg


Smith & Wesson Badge knife:
hrt2.jpg


Pics from knifecenter.com
 
Jared, the La Griffe and the Bear Claw also come in serrated "safety tip" versions, should you want something for cutting seatbelts or first-aid work. I think the Bear Claw is also available in pointy serrated as well, but you have to look harder for it.

As for your idea that you may not have to "go to jail for sticking someone with a big folder," please reconsider this immediately! The La Griffe is still a "knife," and is quite capable of cutting places on the human body which could easily result in "death or grave bodily injury." Feel your pulse points: at your wrists, inner upper arms (brachial arteries), inner thighs (femoral arteries), and of course, your throat. A blade shorter than the La Griffe can cut and press into the soft flesh in these areas and sever major blood vessels.

Also, severing tendons and muscle is not exactly "okay" with our legal system unless you can show that YOU were placed in reasonable fear of "death or grave bodily injury." Knives of any type are almost always considered "lethal force."

I recommend you read Massad Ayoob's "In the Gravest Extreme" for more info. Mike Izumi has a more modern text out on this subject as well. Also, come to the Prac/Tac forum and check out your ideas there for more "critiqueing." :) Is "a slice or little stick" really "enough to make a punk run home to mommy?" Sometimes yes, sometimes no. Flipping a coin ain't gonna give you the answer, either. I would recommend planning for the "90% worst case scenario"--not the "sunny day/feelin good scenario."

The La Griffe has many advantages and a few disadvantages. Being "less than lethal" ain't one of the disadvantages!

Karl
 
I whole heartedly second what safety guy said. A box cutter has a shorter blade and after 9-11 see if you get any sympathy from the cops using that to defend yourself. The "griff" is a great tool and last ditch weapon, but I want the big folder first in a life or death situation. You have to win before you worry about what the cops and a jury might or might not think. Remember a knife or La Griffe is the same as a gun in the eyes of the law once its used as a weapon.

Now the burning question. How do you guys sharpen the darn thing. Thats what has always held me up from buying and using one. The tight continuous curve of the blade has to make it tough. Do the corners of the spyderco 204 stones work? They work the best on other recurve blades.
 
Safety Guy,

I knew that putting that tactical stuff in the post would start a whole crap storm, but, in general terms, I understand all of what you said as a given and agree with it.

I have checked out some of Ayoob's stuff, too. For the reason that you stated about planning for the worst case, certainly that is why I carry a larger knife. Also, I use the same concept as with a firearm: don't pull it unless you're going to use it! Also, don't use it unless you know HOW to use it. I think my training has given me a leg up over the average guy, but a really expereinced street fighter, I dunno . . .

Anyway, tactical situations are infinitesimal and I prefer training on the mat to constant bickering.

I'll save this stuff for PracTac. But I just want to let you know that I'm hip to what you're saying.
 
Had a few...Lost a few... What can I say? They are great knives. I have not had a custom yet. Just the EKI ones. I plan on getting one from Bladeart. I'm not telling which one cause I don't want one of ya vultures snaking it out from under me. The pics I have seen show that some of em' are a bit rough in thier production, but that adds to the mistique. I like the idea of a knife that makes you have an instant claw. Should be a good defensive weapon for those who don't know how to knife fight (like me). Just white knuckle and slash! JK.
 
Mike990,

For sharpening, I use the Sharpmaker. It's great for that design. Your guess about the corners of the stones is right. Grind with the gray stones, then finish with the white, and a few light strokes on the other side to cut the burr off. Makes sharpening a complicated blade pretty easy.

On the Sharpmaker video that comes with the set, Sal from Spyderco shows how to use the Sharpmaker for this kind of blade, and he uses a little downward wrist movement to raise the blade a bit, facilitating the sharpening of the very point, which is obviously important in hawkbills.

I would imagine any round sticks would be good too, but, like always, watch your angle to make sure it's constant.
 
I have the large La Griffe, 3" blade. It works great for utility in every way except edge in, the way you would hold a paring knife for peeling, but it works OK, even for that. You trade a little bit of versatiliy in grip for greater grip security with the LG basically.

Fred considers the La Griffe the end-all, be-all of utility/defense blades, and ya'know, he has a point. Especially with the large version. I still prefer a straight knife for pure utility, but the LG is great for utility/defense. A typical utility defense knife with a 3" blade would be 7" or more in total length, and the handle might still not be as ergonomically secure as the LG handle.

I really like the large LG. I have one, and another one on its way to me. I will probably get still a third one eventually. I like Fred's aesthetic as well. He makes them pretty, polishes the blades, does some file work, but leaves them a little rough, as if to say, "This is a tool, not a work of art."
 
Yes, and I forgot to mention that both of mine are users. The custom is definitely a custom with great file work and attention to detail, but it is a Perrin and it just screams out, "USE ME!"

When it gets really dirty, I clean it with ballistol. Otherwise I wipe it weekly with the Tuf Cloth.
 
Come on guys, still waiting to hear how you sharpen the emerson La Griffes, with that tight little curvey blade.:confused:
 
Hey Mike, ya missed it--go back three posts and collect the information! :)

Jared, just making sure...I didn't want you to be limited to making and collecting razorblade, toothbrush and Saran wrap "customs" in prison! :D

Heck, now I'm wanting a Perrin straight bladed custom darnit!

Maybe a pointy Bear Claw or a Chameleon will sate my thirst at a lower price...always wanted a Chameleon--three sizes, ya know.

Karl
 
Don't forget the Bowie Griffes that Fred makes.

Safety Guy,

First, there's nothin' like a good prison shank. It's an item often overlooked by knife knuts. Especially those made from high quality steel bed springs.

You can get the straight blade as you stated, but don't forget the beautiful bowie style Griffes that Fred makes. I'm getting one for my next purchase. Also, there's the tanto, the hawkbill, which is similar to the Emerson, but less extreme, the large models, and every variation of handle material from giraffe, buffalo, and elephant bone to wood, or just skeletonized. Hmmm, so many choices. Better get that second job you've been thinking about.

Don't forget the Key Chain Griffe!

However, the bowie is my favorite and I'm driven to find one.
 
Then there are the upcoming Perrin/Spyderco designs...

I could go broke real fast if I don't watch it!

Karl
 
TOPS is also now making a couple of finger hole models. One is the Cockpit Commander & I forget the name of the other.

Here's my happy family -- G10 Frequent Flier on the left, boron carbide coated at top right, early Key Ring Griffe right center, & Emerson at bottom right.
 

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Nice selection there Brian.

Okay, I'm definitely crazy. I got a whole toolbox full of 5 old Dremmel tools and a bunch of assorted attachments at an estate sale. Now, I was really unhappy with the edge on my Emerson La Griffe, so I took this red stone, no idea what the actual numbers are on it, and put it on the Dremmel. I put the Griffe in a vise laying horizontally, and, using my ultra steady hand, I ground the crap out of it. I put a very severe edge on it. I ground that chisel grind just about flat. Then I hit it with a fine grit paper, and then a polishing wheel attachment. Next I sharpened it on the Sharpmaker at 30 degrees. It took a while to get sharp, and I screwed the point up, but worked it back in after a lot of hard labor. The thing is sharpety sharp now! It doesn't tear through stuff the way it used to, but slices very smoothly.

I know the edge will probably break down faster because it's thinner, but it fits my tastes, which are kind of off kilter anyway.

Anybody else re-profile their Griffe?
 
Brian-

How has that G10 one help up?

anyone else have one?

is it something you can actually use or is it just for defense?
 
I view the G10 one as a stealthy SD item, AZTACMAN, & I haven't used it. I imagine it could be used for limited utility work but I don't know why anyone would want to use it in that manner.
 
I figured it was just for defense, but then I was talking to a guy about G10 and he said you could actually use it and resharpen it pretty easily. But I wasn' sure if he was correct.
 
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