Le Thiers Knife

[warden41272]

Brand new poster on this forum...so if I ask something stupid, or that's already been asked, please forgive me.
The older I get, the more I like the traditional folders, like the Congress, and I just ordered two Bokers in carbon steel (4-bladed congress and Razor/pen barlow, tang-stamp models)
The question I had, though, is about the French knives, in particular the Le Thiers knife made by Chambriard Cutlery. It's a beautiful knife, but are they any good?

 

[leomitch]

I have fallen in love with knives from this maker and my first love is their folder Le Trappeur.
This is a most elegant knife made with the highest quality materials and craftsmanship that is superior. See for your self. Here is the fine leather pouch that came with the knife. It is made from the finest leather all buttery soft, thick and stoutly sewn for long life.

The knife is a liner-lock knife with a bolster of stainless steel and the backstrap has gorgeous file work done by hand.You can see the blade release in the middle of the file work. The blade opens the old fashion way, using your fingers. There is no nail nick but opening is no problem as there is a generous piece of blade to grip. The action of the blade pivot is super smooth and the blade locks up in a very positive way.

The slabs are of Juniper wood and it is truly lovely with a great variegated grain and a peppery smell,,,mmmm!

The blade is 3.5 inches roughly and is made of Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel. It is razor sharp and from what I have heard it holds its edge very well and is easy to sharpen.

As you can see the knife is truly elegant in design and is classified as a 'gentleman's knife' but I can tell you that this knife is a capable tool which is much at home in the kitchen and at dining table, but also could do many chores around camp providing you don't intend to use it like a fixed blade knife.
This my first French knife but I can tell you, I am already planning on my next Chambriard blade the model Le Campagnon. Please excuse any French spelling errors!
I hope this answers your question regarding knives frim Thiers, at least the Chambriard brand. BTW, the customer service is wonderful. Philippe Chambriard looked after me himself...I ordered on a Friday by e-mail and I had the knife the following Monday by noon hour,3 days from France to Canada via DHL. They make UPS look like they are standing still!

Cheers
Leo

 

[kamagong]

Thanks for the pics Leo. The OP has probably long answered his question, this thread is more than six years old.

- Christian

 

[7rip13a]

Lovely photos Leo, very classy. It is unfortunate that their smaller models don't come in a lockback style or with carbon steel blades though.

 

[leomitch]

Thanks Christian but I knew that...just wanted to see if I could revive the thread for fun!

Cheers
Leo

 

[avoidspam]

I have the exact same model, classy knife

Sam

 

[leomitch]

We have good taste don't we Sam! Surely is a classy knife and I can't wait to add the next one to my collection! Does this mean we are gentlemen Sam?! LOL! After all they are classified as 'gentleman knives!

Cheers mate
Leo

 

[buckthorn]

I have one too and think it's a nice knife. One caution (at least for my knife) that I learned the hard way: when closing the blade don't let it snap closed but hold onto it as it closes. Apparently the snap closing can cause the edge to momentarily bottom out against the underside of the spring, creating a small blunt spot.

 

[Esav Benyamin]

I follow the blade all the way when I close any slipjoint. I don't like to snap them shut after realizing some can move very fast and slice! ... a thin layer off the tip of my little finger.

 

[JPD1998]

Here's one I bought a few years ago. It is one of the best made production knives I own.

This one is a slipjoint, but the back of the blade is shaped in such a way that it requires a lot of effort to close. It almost feels like it's locked. Same file work as Leo's , but no lock.
It's a great knife.

 

[Gevonovich]

I have not encountered this brand before. They look wonderful!. Thanks for the revival.

 

[leomitch]

I follow the blade all the way when I close any slipjoint. I don't like to snap them shut after realizing some can move very fast and slice! ... a thin layer off the tip of my little finger.

I do the same Esav. I learned after some little grief when I was younger and less co-ordinated. Less wise too! LOL!
Thanks Buckhorn for the heads up, but I have it covered my friend!

All the best
Leo

 

[leomitch]

I have not encountered this brand before. They look wonderful!. Thanks for the revival.

No problem mate! I thought this brand of fine knives needed to be posted, plus I might surprise the original poster after a wait of 5 years. Fun eh! There is a fellow named Stefan who does a lot of super excellent reviews of French and other European knives and I am hoping he will do a detailed and delightful review of this knife as he has for others. I owe him since I would never have discovered this knife without his reviews. Thanks Stefan.

Cheers
Leo

 

[quattromori]

One of my best friends owns one of these beauties.
They may not be cheap, but they are very well made. My friend's knife is the "Compact" model. It's absolutely flawless, and a real pleasure to handle. I just wish they introduced a slightly smaller model...then I would have no excuse not to buy one

Fausto

 

[Will Power]

I'm glad this thread got revived as it's a first-rate knife in my experience. Impressively sharp too

I've got Le Compagnon in Ebony, file work, all stainless liners, distal tapered blade (WHAT a slicer!!) It's easy to open and very hard to close, you don't want to let this one fly back..Le Compagnon is around 4.75"/12cm closed so it's big (Le Trappeur is even bigger!)

I've also got Le Compact the pocket version 3.75"/ 9cm this is far smaller and a handy size for the pocket. Mine is in stag and it's well chosen in matching thickness and appearance. You get a nice soft pouch with the knife too, the French make really good leather.

The knives come in other handles too: Juniper, Rosewood, Snakewood, Box and maybe others. These are very decent knives that are a kind of modern interpretation of classic French knives. I believe forum member Dagon has an excellent video review of these knives, do check it!

 

[leomitch]

Here's one I bought a few years ago. It is one of the best made production knives I own.

This one is a slipjoint, but the back of the blade is shaped in such a way that it requires a lot of effort to close. It almost feels like it's locked. Same file work as Leo's , but no lock.
It's a great knife.

A very fine knife sir and it will be my next one, also in Juniper...if I am not mistaken, I believe it is the model Le Compagnon or the Companion in English. Yet another elegant blade from Thiers. The bone handle is gorgeous my friend! Love it!

Leo

 

[leomitch]

Sounds like you were bitten by the French bug too willgoy, I intend to also get Le Compact along with Le Compagnon.
You can say that again about the leather. Man they get it so buttery soft and use nice thicknesses sewn with strong weals. Rxcellent stuff!

All the best
Leo

 

[leomitch]

Ah Fausto, why fight it! Get one of the Le Compact models and a beret, buy some good cheese and fine wine and be a little French! LOL!. You make an interesting point, aside from anything else, there is great satisfaction just handling one of these cutlery jewels.

Best regards
Leo

 

[Will Power]

Leo, I'm really enthusiastic about these knives because they shout quality and are something different. Anybody wanting to treat themself to a very decent and unusual knife won't go wrong with these. The Stag soon takes on a nice darker tone too, for those who like the material. I hear that the Juniper version has a warm peppery scent to the wood, aromatic!

Regards, Will

 

[smiling-knife]

I have this one. Seems to be a simlar pattern but a different maker. Hope it's ok to post. The scales are Juniper wood. I agree, it is a very fine knife. The action is silky smooth and it is very sharp.