Laguiole Knives

[Dagon]

Well, this is just swell. Now I've got to have a Perceval to go with my Laguiole, Opinel, Douk-Douk and Nontron. Can anybody tell me what Perceval quality is like?

The Perceval "Le Français" quality is perfectly satisfactory in my opinion.

 

[Skookumchuk]

Thanks, Dagon.

 

[dkonopinski]

I believe that Forge de Laguiole is the only manufacturer actually in the town of Laguiole. Those that I have seen from them being sold are mainly the lower range. I have 2 of these. Although the lower end, you still get a choice out of a variety of handle materials and they are very nicely made and finished knives but IMO more of a user grade. I have not actually seen one of their higher end ones.

I have a Fontenille Pataud as well, this one is their "hand filed special" grade. This one is close to a custom slipjoint with very nice and well executed filework on the backspring and liners. From what I have seen, Fontenille Pataud does not appear to make a user grade, even their lower range knives are very nicely made.

If you want a nice showy Laguiole, I would recommend Fontenille Pataud "hand filed special" grade.

Both are within your budget.

One thing to watch out for is that traditional European makers run their steel a bit soft for ease of sharpening, rather than what we are used to seeing in US made knives.

Another vote here for FP. I ordered one and was not happy. I emailed my issues to Gilles and returned the knife. A new knife arrived and each of my issues had been attended to. Even one which requested something that many makers in France & Italy don't normally do.

The overall style & quality make it the best trad Laguiole available today IMO.

David

 

[keithcarter]

There are a lot of good knives made by good manufacturers all over the world. There are also a lot of bad knives. Buying from an (expensive) "name" maker is one way to insure you get a 'good' knife.

Another way is to be educated enough in the subject for you, yourself, to be able to tell the difference (or to listen to those that are).

Those that make sweeping generalizations about what is good/bad are only denying themselves some really good blades at really good prices.