Laguiole's anyone?

S

SVRIDER1

Joined
Dec 29, 2008
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401
What's up guys. I haven't been around in awhile, but I recently got back to more traditional knives after finding this great knife shop that opened up in Pine Bush NY ( bought a CS trapper while I was there). Anyway you guys helped me in the past so I figured I would throw this one out there... I would like to purchase a Laguiole knife, I have no frame of reference for this style from which to base build quality, f&f and performance from different manufacturers.

So far my criteria is this, between 100 and 200(if that's possible), not a safe queen but not hideous either and hopefully from the region (I want to stay traditional).

What I will need are recommendations on brands, different styles, respectable dealers in the US and maybe some pictures of your own personal knives (I would love to see them).

Thank you in advance for any responses, you guys have always been a big help.
 
The word "Laguiole" is not a register trade mark or even a brand-name: it is the name of a small village in the Aveyron region of France which shares its name with a traditional style of knife.

The Laguiole knife was first created in the small village of Laguiole; this is a FACT, not a legend, a myth, or a coincidence as many manufacturers and resellers alike would like you to believe.

http://www.customcurling.com/guidelines.htm

I thought this was interesting to read. There are a lot of marketing strategies with Laguoile knives and corkscrews. Not sure where to get them domestically, but this company has a lot of information.

Good luck. I'd like to see what you decide on.
 
I was gifted a Forge de Laguiole knife a few Christmas's back. It is a nice knife. Blade opens smoothly, locks up tight and snaps closed nicely. It feels really good in the hand. I don't carry it much since the handle is just a bit wide for my taste. The model I have does not have the corkscrew in the handle though. The blade steel is T-12 which I think is a stainless steel.

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I love laguioles. I only own two Fontenille Pataud laguiole, but I handled fine Forge Laguiole steak knives and found them high quality, too. I found that finding a Laguiole with a carbon blade in the US is a no-go; if you are stuck on getting a carbon blade, best to order direct from the manufacturer in France, but then you will be slapped with duties. I was lucky to score a carbon-bladed FP from this board.

Fontenille Pataud:
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^ ebony & rosewood, stainless blades

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^ (very fragrant) juniper burl, carbon
 
you might check out Lee-Valley tools.
They sell a laguiole & belt sheath for a bit under $80.
 
Very fond of laguioles and a number of other French pieces - like the Le Crosse and the Violon from Issard

Here's some of mine - not the best pictures, and the lovely ebony St Martin I recently picked up from Fontenille Pataud isn't here.

Easily my favourite is the sandvik, brass and ebony one, that's from FP. There's one in box burl and RWL34 and anpother in ivory and carbonsteel (x75c), FP again, and bone and carbonsteel one from G. David. I'd like to pick up the flatground Queen toothpick some day as a comparison. Though whilst a laguiole works spendidly for fishing, I have the feeling that that particular Queen toothpick might be even better suited - whilst not being so hot on the cheese, bread, sausage, bottle of wine front

There s a reason they are called picnic knives, I suppose, but I know that in France people use them for everything - especially around the markets

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You might want to check some of forum member Dagon's excellent video reviews of traditional European knives.

I can recommend Chambriard knives, notably their Le Compagnon model. Ebony with file-work.
 
I have one Fontenille Pataud and two Chambriards. All three are fine knives, but I prefer the Fontenille Pataud.
 
You guy's have some beautiful knives there. Thanks for all the responses so far. It seems as though I am going to have to dig deeper into this than I thought... I hadn't even contemplated carbon versus stainless until one of you brought it up... and having a patina would look nice on such a traditional style knife.

Just a couple of questions: How is the lock released...similar to an Italian auto( pivoting bolster)? I would like one with a corkscrew are they really useable without loosening up everything on the knife?
 
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yablanowitz: nice looker that one. How big is it?

I have been looking for a smaller one - and mainly considering the GEC 4" toothpick to be frank - trouble is many of the French small ones are only available in 420, I find. A bit of sandvik might do the trick though :)
 
Noddy said:
yablanowitz: nice looker that one. How big is it?

I have been looking for a smaller one - and mainly considering the GEC 4" toothpick to be frank - trouble is many of the French small ones are only available in 420, I find. A bit of sandvik might do the trick though :)
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Blade is 3 5/8", O.A.L. open is 7 7/8", closed length 4 1/4". I wish I could tell you more about it, but it's something I traded for a while back and I don't know much about it. :o
 
SVRIDER1 said:
You guy's have some beautiful knives there. Thanks for all the responses so far. It seems as though I am going to have to dig deeper into this than I thought... I hadn't even contemplated carbon versus stainless until one of you brought it up... and having a patina would look nice on such a traditional style knife.

Just a couple of questions: How is the lock released...similar to an Italian auto( pivoting bolster)? I would like one with a corkscrew are they really useable without loosening up everything on the knife?
Click to expand...

I can't speak for the rest, but mine doesn't lock.
 
I just checked out that GEC toothpick, I like it a lot. It seems as though the Laguiole and the toothpicks are based upon the Navaja, maybe that is why I am drawn to both. I would like to have that toothpick also, it's a perfect carry size for me but my one and only experience with GEC knives and customer service was so horrible that I think not.
 
Well I pulled the trigger tonight on a Laguiole de L'Artisan 10cm Burled Olive Wood handle knife. I ordered from custom curling ( thanks Thawk! ) and dealt with Frederic who answered all my questions. I'll post some pictures...if I can remember how. Thanks for all the help guys.

Now somebody talk me out of a swayback in cv...I really really want it!
 
SVRIDER1 said:
Well I pulled the trigger tonight on a Laguiole de L'Artisan 10cm Burled Olive Wood handle knife. I ordered from custom curling ( thanks Thawk! ) and dealt with Frederic who answered all my questions. I'll post some pictures...if I can remember how. Thanks for all the help guys.

Now somebody talk me out of a swayback in cv...I really really want it!
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I'm sure you'll be pleased:thumbup:

But you won't be if you don't compliment it with a CASE Swaybck:D Got one on the desk here right now, it's sleek, handy and really well put together. VERY attractive small knife a collection isn't a collection without one:D:eek:
 
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