Laguioles, Please Educate A Noob

I've handled a few laguioles. Strangely enough, they began to be sold in some gift shops and tobacconist shops about 10 years ago. They often have flaws that knife knuts don't like, such as un-centered blades, hits the back spring, poor fit/finish of cover to bolsters. These have been genuine French products from some of the well known names. Make sure you buy from a place that will readily take returns.

There has been a lot of speculation about the relationship between Laguioles, Navaja and Toothpicks. Far as I've been able to tell, it's just fantasy. For example, being a "southern" knife is belied by the great numbers of antique toothpicks I've seen in New England, New York and PA. In my family they have been used as fishing knives for 4 generations, and that tradition originated in New York City with absolutely no southern connection.
 
I really enjoy my Laguiole En Aubrac, Pete helped set me on that path over a year ago. It is a very useful design that I find myself reaching for often. Build quality is good and it has a blade stop on the spring to prevent the blade from smacking the spring, sharpens easily(12c27) and holds a nice edge. I wouldn't call it perfect but what a great knife to carry and use, IMO.

Here is a pic from a few minutes ago,

snakewood
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and a few older ones

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Kris
 
Halfneck said:
The only thing stopping me from getting a Laguiole is the absence of a kick. With only 1 good arm/hand it would be very difficult to close the knife without it snapping shut on the edge.
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If you only have one good arm, you'll probably find Laguioles hard to open as well.

- Christian
 
kamagong said:
If you only have one good arm, you'll probably find Laguioles hard to open as well.

- Christian
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Opening is easy, no problem with my GECs. But closing them they just snap closed, there is no easing it down gently.
 
Wow! Thank you folks, this is what I wanted to know, especially the info from Pete. I don't think I have gotten a pm with dealer info yet sir, I will check to be sure I have enabled messages.

Beautiful knife pictures also, those are what. Got me interested in these knives to begin with.
 
I wanted to add a Forge de Laguiole to my collection, and $150 later, the deed was done. It was such a nice addition to my collection, that I purchased another one for my future son-in-law (him having a bit of French blood in him and all). Mine was the ebony wood, while his has the burl scales.
Nice knives... No... I should say, downright BEAUTIFUL knives :)

Here's my ebony handled Forge de Laguiole residing in one of my knife displays...

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