JTB_5
Gold Member
- Joined
- Oct 6, 2017
- Messages
- 7,830
I'm posting this in response to a request by
5K Qs
for more information on the Le Garonnais. I first learned about the Le Garonnais knife, as I do with most of the European models I know about, from Stefan Schmalhaus.
It is a French regional knife produced by Au Sabot, a company that I don't know much about, but which seems to produce a lot of traditional French patterns inexpensively. The fit and finish are not exceptional on the knife I have, but it is perfectly adequate for the price range, in my opinion. There are some small gaps in the liners, and you cannot snap the blade closed because the tip rests on the back spring when closed (a feature of the traditional pattern, I believe). Even though you won't want to let the blade snap shut, it has a great strong pull and snap on the opening. I know guys like to talk about "bank vault" lock up, but this knife actually sounds like you are locking a vault--it is so tight it makes other knives quiver with side-to-side blade in fright (well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit)! The steel is a very adequate stainless (12c27) that is easy to sharpen and keeps an edge well.
The size of the knife (you can see the video for exact specifications) is larger, so fans of smaller pocket knives will find it cumbersome in the pocket. It is also on the heavy side, having pretty thick steel liners. What I like about the knife is that it is brawny, yet elegant. The lines are very simple, but the shape of the handle (tapering from the butt to the blade like a barlow) and its thickness fit really well in my hand and the blade is generous both in length and breadth--making it an ideal spreading knife and a decent slicer--decent because the thickness is pretty hefty on this knife, despite a generous flat grind. I especially love the Occitan Cross shield on the beautiful ebony scales.
The knife I bought came to me rather toothy, but I was able to get it hair popping sharp with just a little bit of time on my stones and a strop.
All in all it is a great knife for folks who are into (or want to get into) French regional cutlery, who like a shield with some history, or who want a really tough slip joint to use on hard tasks.
Now, for some pictures:
5K Qs
for more information on the Le Garonnais. I first learned about the Le Garonnais knife, as I do with most of the European models I know about, from Stefan Schmalhaus.It is a French regional knife produced by Au Sabot, a company that I don't know much about, but which seems to produce a lot of traditional French patterns inexpensively. The fit and finish are not exceptional on the knife I have, but it is perfectly adequate for the price range, in my opinion. There are some small gaps in the liners, and you cannot snap the blade closed because the tip rests on the back spring when closed (a feature of the traditional pattern, I believe). Even though you won't want to let the blade snap shut, it has a great strong pull and snap on the opening. I know guys like to talk about "bank vault" lock up, but this knife actually sounds like you are locking a vault--it is so tight it makes other knives quiver with side-to-side blade in fright (well, maybe I'm exaggerating a little bit)! The steel is a very adequate stainless (12c27) that is easy to sharpen and keeps an edge well.
The size of the knife (you can see the video for exact specifications) is larger, so fans of smaller pocket knives will find it cumbersome in the pocket. It is also on the heavy side, having pretty thick steel liners. What I like about the knife is that it is brawny, yet elegant. The lines are very simple, but the shape of the handle (tapering from the butt to the blade like a barlow) and its thickness fit really well in my hand and the blade is generous both in length and breadth--making it an ideal spreading knife and a decent slicer--decent because the thickness is pretty hefty on this knife, despite a generous flat grind. I especially love the Occitan Cross shield on the beautiful ebony scales.
The knife I bought came to me rather toothy, but I was able to get it hair popping sharp with just a little bit of time on my stones and a strop.
All in all it is a great knife for folks who are into (or want to get into) French regional cutlery, who like a shield with some history, or who want a really tough slip joint to use on hard tasks.
Now, for some pictures:
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