Massive Laguiole Folder Real or Fake

[cartersimmons1]

I got this knife as a gift from a friends dad in France. He is French. It has a Laguiole Sheath, and has Laguiole written on the blade. It is by no means a new knife. No idea how old and no other distinguishable markings. Ive had it for about 20 years now and own other Laguiole knives. Not really Laguioles style. Anyone have any input on this knife? Value, or style?

 

[waynorth]

Anyone have any input on this knife? Value, or style?

No value. Someone's bad dream!!!

 

[cartersimmons1]

Lol, sounds about right. Seems like somebody spent a lot of time engraving it neatly

 

[birdsbeaks]

Ah! Oui! Un couteau de station-service européen!

 

[meako]

Laguiolistan maybe?

 

[Jack Black]

Laguiolistan maybe?

Reckon so!

 

[AgentSteel]

Yep, looks like Pakistan- or China-made crap, sorry

For the record, some decades ago a french businessman trademarked a "Laguiole" brand, and would slap the Laguiole name on many products (whether it was knives or not...).
After some tribunal battles, this "Laguiole" company is not allowed to sell Laguiole knives anymore.

 

[Hickory n steel]

Definitely made in Pakistan, a copy of a design that was made by some German companies and if I'm not mistaken also a design marbles offered.

frost cutlery has offered this knife for $20 even in the past 10 years.

 

[draggat]

cartersimmons1 In the knife world, the name Laguiole refers to a specific French knife pattern, which should look similar to this one.



Even if yours isn't actually a laguiole, it looks like it would fun to open at least.

Welcome to the forum, stick around and I guarantee you will learn a lot about knives and more around here!

 

[joeradza]

Beautiful wood on that Laguiole Steve along with the traditional cross

 

[cartersimmons1]

I figured it had to be a fake, but I didn't know if at some point laguiole made some one off knives. Anyways, it is pretty funny how someone took the time to even stamp the Napoleonic bee into the leather sheath too.

 

[draggat]

Beautiful wood on that Laguiole Steve along with the traditional cross

Thanks Alan! It is a pleasure to carry as well.

 

[Just Tom.]

I didn't know if at some point laguiole made some one off knives

“Laguiole” is not a brand, rather a style of knife:

cartersimmons1 In the knife world, the name Laguiole refers to a specific French knife pattern, which should look similar to this one.

View attachment 2103476View attachment 2103477

Even if yours isn't actually a laguiole, it looks like it would fun to open at least.

Welcome to the forum, stick around and I guarantee you will learn a lot about knives and more around here!

There are quite a few in this thread, if you are interested:

Traditional French Fry day

and this is not about French Fries...;) but show off your French knives on Friday. Over the years I've owned a lot of knives, but the ones made by the family Chambriard stand out for me and I do wish I had kept them, sad to say I only have one right now but it is a nice one. Untitled by...

www.bladeforums.com

 

[Will Power]

Laguioles don't have to be expensive to be decent, this G.David is a very sturdy knife, but ALL Laguioles have to look like this and to be legit must be from France and nowhere else.....

 

[Johnnythefox]

Chinese made

Laguiole are sold in France I am sure I saw some in Laguiole itself.​

Its not quite as protected as some things.

 

[kamagong]

Laguioles don't have to be expensive to be decent, this G.David is a very sturdy knife, but ALL Laguioles have to look like this and to be legit must be from France and nowhere else.....

Although I like the highly refined laguioles, I continue to hunt for a simple shepherd's knife with a carbon steel blade marked with a crossbow, or even a nightingale.

 

[Jolipapa]

I got this knife as a gift from a friends dad in France. He is French. It has a Laguiole Sheath, and has Laguiole written on the blade. It is by no means a new knife. No idea how old and no other distinguishable markings. Ive had it for about 20 years now and own other Laguiole knives. Not really Laguioles style. Anyone have any input on this knife? Value, or style? View attachment 2103090View attachment 2103097

No value. Someone's bad dream!!!

Definitely made in Pakistan, a copy of a design that was made by some German companies and if I'm not mistaken also a design marbles offered.

frost cutlery has offered this knife for $20 even in the past 10 years.

Clearly not a "Laguiole knife", as stated elsewhere, probably pakistanese made.

Laguiole is a village and the name is not protected, so you can legally make Lags everywhere (famous makers were also in neighbouring towns, Espalion, Mende, aso...). Since the fabrication of knives declined after WW1 in the village, progressively those made in France came from Thiers.
Then at the end of the last century, the trend rose again for the pattern (say posh) and new workhops installed in the village and a war began between Laguiole and Thiers (btw, for a while most components assembled in L came from T...) L being frustrated to see T earning money with her name (Clochemerle's syndrom ).
On the other side a wise entrepreneur used the name to sell absolutely everything, including pans, clothes, of course none made in L, or even in France.
Trials followed trials and arrangements were made between L and Thiers, stating both could keep on making Lags, and with the businessman, allowing him to use the name for all except knives.
So for a long time you will still find cheap and cheaply made Lags imported fom Asia on market stands and in tobacco shop/ petrol stations showcases.

The pattern shown is called "à la d'Estaing", not from our past president, but from an admiral who commanded a fleet to help American insurgents, (a reason for our Brit friend to use such large bold characters? ) and who wanted a knife he could use for hunting and picnic as well.
The pattern is clearly a niche, but even Marbles made one. Yours seems to have a lock.

 

[Just Tom.]

(Clochemerle's syndrom )

Wow. I had to look that one up - seems fitting. Maybe I will see if I can find a copy on line somewhere…

Clochemerle - Wikipedia

en.wikipedia.org

 

[Chui]

Have had this set sitting in a drawer for years. They're reasonably made, lots of character, believe them to be genuine, but if anyone has any further info on them, please fire away.

Up next to standard size Case~Bose Sowbelly

 

[Jolipapa]

Have had this set sitting in a drawer for years. They're reasonably made, lots of character, believe them to be genuine, but if anyone has any further info on them, please fire away.

Up next to standard size Case~Bose Sowbelly

That looks like an Himalayan flower!