Laguiole - Keep or send back?

[bvik]

More likely, send back for replacement or for refund?

I bought a French-made Laguiole knife (Actiforge, 12c7) through a non-BF vendor, and it arrived today, a little not-as-expected. Here's what I ordered:

And this is what I got:



I wasn't expecting top-notch quality for the price I paid, and a couple days after ordering, I ran into this link describing the hallmarks of poor quality: http://www.laguiole-imports.com/guidelines.htm . Still, I feel confident that it is really French-made and a decent bargain for that. However, there are some issues I have with it that I don't know if I'm willing to settle for.

First, the bolsters and liners are some white metal instead of brass ("mitres et platines en laiton massif"), which I think takes away from some of the eye-appeal. To make matters worse, one of the pins is showing in the tail bolster:



Also, the blade is off-center and strikes the spring at the tip. A little play when closed reveals that the sharp edge of the blade is actually rubbing on the spring.



So what does the Traditional forum think? I could send it back for one with the brass liners and bolsters I wanted and take a gamble that I'll get a little better quality, or I can just eat the shipping cost and send it back for good. As it is, I don't feel that I'll ever use this knife, and I'm not interested in a knife I won't carry (which rules out the super-expensive ones!).

 

[jwren]

I don't know much about Laguiole knives, but I do believe I've read that it's not uncommon for the blade to ride on the spring. Maybe someone with more experience can chime in...
But if you're not happy, send it back - no sense keeping a knife you're not happy with and unlikely to use....

 

[shockjockey24]

you could always sell her to me and buy another one Ive wanted a Languiole for some time!

 

[meako]

It looks like they sent you a knife with major differences to the one you ordered.
It looks like the one you ordered is more costly than the one you got.
Got a photo of the spine?

 

[Stich2442]

1st did you buy direct from Actiforge ? If so they offer a money back guarantee.
2nd many Laguioles the blade, portion of the blade rest on the spring, a Laguiole was made & meant to be used for a lifetime and through sharpening would continue to recess into the handle because no kick on the tang hence the saying "resort silencieux vivra vieux”, (silent spring will live longer) so don't let the blade snap shut. Many premium,but not all cutlery today add a kick, Laguiole En Aubrac does, but I have a older one made buy them that has no kick.
3rd as for the blade centering, the blades are long and slender towards the tip, and much more thick & broad at the tang, I know on both the ones I own if you push or knock the front portion of the blade over it will appear as not centered.
4th bummer you didn't get the knife you ordered looks like you got stainless bolsters, I wouldn't worry about seeing the pin on the two I own the bolsters are brass but the pin is not so you can definitely see it.
I know Actiforge has different levels of finish on their knives as in good, better, or best meaning lower end models don't have the fit & finish of the premium line ie. lower end meaning soldered bee/fly & machined tooling on spring more like a stamped out production, premium having one piece forged bee/fly and spring and hand tooled more robust spring.
Buying Laguiole can be frustrating, confusing and downright discouraging you really need to do your homework before you purchase one. There are many good & bad makers of Laguiole and I would recommend Laguiole En Aubrac over all good quility rich history one piece forged bee/fly and spring and made from start to finish by one person/cutler.
I don't know much about Actiforge other than they are French and certified by the French government, and they sell direct to the customer, I have thought about buying from them because you can have a knife built in their customize section of their site, pick blade steel, bolsters,scales and if you want a forged spring or soldered spring.

Good luck, I would contact Actiforge if I were you and go from there, in the end you should be happy with your purchase

Pete

 

[bvik]

meako - Other than the color, the knife looks like I expected it to. Here's a shot of the spring:

 

[JPD1998]

It's common for the blade to make contact with the backspring.
They are made by different companies and the fit &finish does vary. It looks like yours might be nickel silver instead of brass.
It looks nice to me.
I have one with brass bolsters and it always tarnished.

 

[Stich2442]

It's common for the blade to make contact with the backspring.
They are made by different companies and the fit &finish does vary. It looks like yours might be nickel silver instead of brass.
It looks nice to me.
I have one with brass bolsters and it always tarnished.

I hear you on the brass, check out Sunshine jewlery cloth it gets the bolsters and liners really nice.

Pete

 

[meako]

I think stich pretty much nailed it for you .
I have an En Aubrac (souvenir of Paris ) which I was able to drool over in person. The shop guy said that "laguiole"is a kind of umbrella term for French knives rather than a brand .Is that accurate. If so there would be a variation in quality across the range.

 

[meako]

I think stich pretty much nailed it for you .
I have an En Aubrac (souvenir of Paris ) which I was able to drool over in person. The shop guy said that "laguiole"is a kind of umbrella term for French knives rather than a brand .Is that accurate? If so there would be a variation in quality across the range.
apololgies.

 

[alfk]

As I understand it Laguiole is just a type of knife, it just happens the originals were made in France and the best still are. I don't think it is the same thing as champagne where you cannot call anything not made in a certain region of France a laguiole, you could make one at home and call it a laguiole.

I would return it, because basically you did not get what you ordered.. If you do not like the quality I would return for refund and eat the shipping. Buying knives online is difficult but in many cases the only feasible way to get something.

 

[never too sharp]

Laguiole is, I believe, a consortium of knife and tool makers. Much like Maniago(Italy) And Solingen(Germany).

They are supposed to uphold a certain level of quality to be able to use the bee. In my experience, the quality of the bee and file work on the spine are indicative of the overall quality of the knife.

This is my best(and simplest) Lagiuole to date, a G. David corkscrew with no bolsters or scales. I've had less expensive Laguioles, and the quality seems to be lacking.

 

[JPD1998]

I hear you on the brass, check out Sunshine jewlery cloth it gets the bolsters and liners really nice.

Pete

Pete , thanks . I use them all the time, they do work well.
What I really like about them is they don't scratch and will even remove fine scratches.

 

[Stich2442]

Here are two examples both great knives, both better made IMO than any U.S. maker

First a Laguiole Rossignol made in Thiers ( @ $80)a middle of the road Laguiole soldered bee/fly and spring, machined stamped tooling

Great user and solid as a tank.

A Laguiole En Aubrac (@$170)forged bee/fly and spring and tooling done by hand

Pete

 

[puukkoman]

Looks like a good one to me. I'd prefer the white metal over yellow brass. And yes, from what I've heard, it's common for a Laguiole blade to touch the spring.

 

[kamagong]

Here are two examples both great knives, both better made IMO than any U.S. maker

First a Laguiole Rossignol made in Thiers ( @ $80)a middle of the road Laguiole soldered bee/fly and spring, machined stamped tooling

Great user and solid as a tank.

A Laguiole En Aubrac (@$170)forged bee/fly and spring and tooling done by hand

Pete

That's some claim Pete. Do you have any experience with GEC? I'm asking because I think they make some of the best production knives currently available. Certainly as good as, if not better, than most Laguioles I've seen. I have a Laguiole de l'Artisan and while it is not one of the higher end versions, the fit seems fairly typical as to what you can expect to find (e.g., gaps, liners and bolsters that aren't flush).

- Christian

 

[Stich2442]

That's some claim Pete. Do you have any experience with GEC? I'm asking because I think they make some of the best production knives currently available. Certainly as good as, if not better, than most Laguioles I've seen. I have a Laguiole de l'Artisan and while it is not one of the higher end versions, the fit seems fairly typical as to what you can expect to find (e.g., gaps, liners and bolsters that aren't flush).

- Christian

I have a Gec Tidioute #54 Moose, Northfield #62 courthouse whittler, #47 F&F, and Northfield #68 White Owl, which are all great, the #54 Moose I would say the closest to the En Aubrac, I like strong springs with a strong pull and positive lockup.

Pete

 

[akadave2]

You guys are making me want one of those! As far as yours BVIK, that seriously off center blade is the deal breaker for me. I hate krinked blades unless its part of the design. I do like the nickel silver with the black over the brass though.

 

[kamagong]

I totally understand. I also favor stout springs, which is definitely one of the Laguiole's strong points.

- Christian

 

[brownshoe]

I've seen a fair number of them over the years. The fit/finish varies by price and within a price range. For a $100 Laguoile the fit/finish is as expected. Picking them by hand is the best route if you can.