Recommendation? Le Thiers Chambriard OR Laguiole Fontenille Pataud?

RayseM

RayseM

Platinum Member
Joined
Feb 18, 2010
Messages
8,259
I am very keen on purchasing a Le Theirs Compact STAG by Chambriard - not the bigger versions BUT I wonder if the Fontenille Pataud version is a better made knife.

I'm pretty sure this comparison question of these two companies has come up before but I haven't found a concise answer. Maybe it doesn't exist. I ask to know about the: fit & finish, blade stability, centering, ease of deployment etc. - all the usuals that one can't know without handling the knife or asking the questions from those with real hands on experience. Both companies seem to have great reputations. I have not handled either so I ask before trying to deal with a company from France.

Could anyone please comment as to the relative merits? Seems the FPs are more expensive but is the added value there as well? The COMPACT by Chambriard is the perfect size that I am looking for, whereas the FP is a bit bigger.

I was sorely tempted by the one on the exchange this weekend but really would prefer STAG and so I'm holding out. Any thoughts or cautions that I would be good to be aware of as regards one or either of these makers OR this model in particular?

Thank you very much.

Ray
 
If the Chambriard is the perfect size that I you're looking for, go for it, you should not be disappointed.
 
Thank you Jolipapa for the encouragement.

Still the question - to BEE or not to Bee? :)

Does one company produce a better knife - Hinderer vs CR Knives, for example - or is it really subjective?

Finding the right STAG will be a challenge too. One doesn't get what is shown in the display photo. This might take a while :rolleyes:.

Ray
 
IMHO both make fine knives, price differences due mostly to the material. Chambriard may be less "trendy" so may have a slightly better price/quality ratio. But that's just me.
 
I have found an old BF link (2009) after all, about the subject - not much about Chambriard but Laguiole Fontenille Pataud which was enlightening. https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/laguiole-knives.678963/

This will be a difficult purchase decision. I didn't appreciate the lengthy history and style options. Leaning to the Fps as they have the blade protection which will save the edge. Haven't seen that as a feature of Le Compact. Still need to make some size comparisons. Size and handle material do matter in this case.

Feel free to chime in anyone. :thumbsup:

Ray
 
If you decide for a Laguiole, you may consider Yann Nominé, his work is outstanding.
 
I've had personal experience dealing with Gilles at FP - very good attention and service.

They're always developing designs too, quite a proactive concern - impressive.

Sold it, because it wasn't being used.

Don't know Le Thiers at all, sorry



A few pics...

P1020104.jpg


P1020107.jpg


P1010918.jpg
 
Chui-888 said:
I've had personal experience dealing with Gilles at FP - very good attention and service.

They're always developing designs too, quite a proactive concern - impressive.
P1010918.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks for the post and the photos. Is this one in your hand an XS Classic 9cm?

Ray
 
They're very different knives and the cost difference is large. Fontanille-Pataud can be made to order, takes a few days but you have a wide range of materials and some different steels. I have 3 of their XS Lags which are also locking knives. I like them a lot as they're a more comfortable pocket carry than bigger traditional Lags. Quality is excellent and Gilles is very pleasant to deal with. Not cheap to buy but far better than some other Customs I have.....

Chambriard le compact is a modern take on a trad French knife, which is interesting, It's bigger than the XS, has filework, several scale options. Distal taper makes for a superb slicer, but like other French knives you have to close it carefully. I lost my stag version and that really horrified me! The 3 I had all have slight blade-play so that might factor against them, but a very decent knife.
 
I've ordered an LAGUIOLE XS CLASSIC 9cm from Fontanille-Pataud, after all. The issues you mention about the closing blade of these without the blade stop that is incorporated by FP, the general better quality of the FP knives and finding - I think - a very pretty example, persuaded me. The size difference between the two is negligible.

I'll post photos when it arrives. Thanks all for sharing your thoughts.

Ray
 
Please disregard the above post :D - Yup, I ordered and received the LAGUIOLE XS CLASSIC 9cm but as soon as I took it out of the box I realized I had made a mistake :rolleyes:. Started having my suspicions when I saw the in hand shots above posted by Chui-888. It looked much smaller than I was thinking. Anyway, the knife arrived and my expectations were dashed. The knife itself was a beauty and very well made by Fontanille-Pataud, in all respects. The blade length and overall length were great and as expected but the diameter of the knife made for a few fingers full rather than a palm full. I sent it back ... :confused:

... for an exchange :thumbsup:. I knew I had found a great maker. Their fit and finish, smooth opening and closing and solid open position of the blade were spot on. The Buffalo Bark scales were exceptional in my experience, with the brown and black and gray color mix and the texture making especially dramatic and comfortable to hold knife handles. I wanted a small - 3"+/- knife but with just more hand filling. I "upgraded" away from the Laguiole pattern and opted for the Fontanille-Pataud CAPUCHADOU 10 cm guilloche. Not a lock back but that wasn't a deal breaker. As it is, when opened the back spring keeps a lot of tension on the blade. Turn around time was only a matter of a few days. I am very very happy with this new folder.

If you've read this far you want photos :) - here you go.

My photography skill aren't up to capturing the real beauty of the scales - a mix of glossy finish and raw "bark" - quite spectacular in hand.



You can see this model has more shape in multiple dimensions. Kind of a stout little knife but it fits my hand beautifully. My only minor "complaint" is how the nail nick is almost buried between the liners. o_O This seems an odd oversight of quality control. Thought at first that mine was defective but looking at others of this size model they all seem to be in that position. The 12cm Capuchadou has the nail nick more centered to the logo, as seems natural.



Swells in the middle too :thumbsup:



Overall specs for the Capuchadou -

• Handle Material: Buffalo Bark (outside of the horn), Africa.

• Blade: 12c27 Sandvik Stainless steel, 3 mm thick. Hardness: 56 HRC.

• Size closed: 3.93" - 10 cm

• Open: 6.75" - 17.14 cm

• Blade: 3" - 7.62 cm

• Weight: ~ 3. 17 oz ~ 90 g

So that's my entry into the world of French knife makers. I do have a few Opinels but having been seeing these since I was a kid, I admit that though I think they are great knives, I take them for granted. I should write then - into a new world of French knife makers.

Thanks for your input and interest.

Ray
 
Last edited:
Since the first time I saw one of these I have loved them. They are exquisitely shaped and I have been eager to see how you feel after receiving one. This has been most interesting and quite helpful. The knife you have is gorgeous. You say a "stout little knife" which is exactly the impression i've had. They seem to be sleek and delicately made but look very strong.
 
Grand you got the knife you wanted, they are most accomodating at FP and the finish&fit are wonderful, as I wrote earlier, these knives are better than some Customs I have yet costing the same or less. Lots of choice and no long waiting lists either. Myself, I like the XS 9cm but I think all FP knives have thick scales and this not only looks good but feels superb in the hand. Well worth the money I've always felt, (can't always say that about costly stuff know wot I'm sayin' ?:rolleyes::eek:)

Thanks, Will
 
I have been in the fence about getting one of their knives as well for a long time (for various reasons) and when I got "into knives" it was put on hold due to the steel and relative softness of the blade.. Now I am older and mostly only carry a SAK anyways so I am back at looking.
How would you rate the blade compared to other knives with softer non super steels like the aforementioned SAK etc?
Of course we are talking about usual use cases for a knife like this, not being a sharpened pry bar or cutting endless lines of cardboard.
 
Too soon to comment on the merits of the 12c27 Sandvik Stainless as choice for the blade as I have yet to do more than the usual timid first slices. Other than stropping off a few burs I haven't sharpened it yet either.

This is a "dress" carry knife for me. I have work knives but this one will be relegated to letter opening, gift unwrapping and other general unboxing of stuff, with occasional slicing off the next piece of pie or BBQ. I won't be taking this one into the field with the sheep ;) in spite its tradition. It will live a pampered life.:cool:

I found a great US based importer. Waiting for gratification is negligible and service is excellent.

Ray
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top