"mouche" on a french knife

[terrinecold]

I have seen it on some laguiole knives that are not even folding knives, like a set of steak knives. By the way Abielle is bee in french. Same root as Apiary.

Yes this is very typical since they have become a symbol of Laguiole knife.


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[Will Power]

Mosca probably is the Spanish word for Fly, musca is the Latin word and Mosca was an evil gadfly character in Jonson's play Volpone

The French word is I rather think, Abeille not Abielle..

 

[Jolipapa]

:thumbup: Will, great picture! I knew of trained fleas, but not trained flies!
Here's what I found in the 10 volumes encyclopedic Larousse rolleyes Couteau à mouche : a knife closing by lifting the spring with the fingers, about mouche: it is among many uses a term used in fencing , a metal or rubber part placed at the tip of the blade, also used by blacksmithes to name a little stud sitting on the horse's rear hoofs to prevent from sliding on frozen grounds.

 

[terrinecold]

Well this has been really interesting and while we discuss the term I am progressing on my folder. Making a lockback with hand tools is not easy and in particular the balance between the shape and position of the spring vs the lockbar is giving me trouble. One thing I learned in this discussion is that there is a halfway alternative between lockback and slipjoint which is built like a slipjoint but with the spring locking in the blade like a lockback. To unlock it you lift the "mouche" up so it doubles as both a decorative and usefull feature. If I have too much trouble with my lockback I may end up making this.

 

[Jolipapa]

Now the term is "palme" for that kind of lock. There are famous examples around.

 

[terrinecold]

never knew that. Do you have other examples?

 

[terrinecold]

answering my own question the picture from jolipapa made me think to search the same site
(removed non BF dealer link).

 

[Peregrin]

Links to dealers that are not BladeForums paid dealer members are not allowed. I know that was not your intent, but it's still the rule. Please read the guidelines stickied at the top of the forum page.

Actually the image in the preceding post should be cropped to remove the dealer reference. This is also referred to in the guidelines.

 

[The Zieg]

If it looks like a bee or fly it usually will be on a laguiole. But in a Le thiers you have one with a T on it. On a Le camarguais that I own there is one in the shape of a trident.

And I am sure that it exists on other French regional knives.


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To my eye it resembles a bull's head, which is appropriate for the Camargue.

Zieg

 

[terrinecold]

"non BF dealer link ..."
sorry like you said it wasn't my intention

 

[terrinecold]

I agree on both comments. The maker calls it a trident though.

 

[Jolipapa]

Links to dealers that are not BladeForums paid dealer members are not allowed. I know that was not your intent, but it's still the rule. Please read the guidelines stickied at the top of the forum page.

Actually the image in the preceding post should be cropped to remove the dealer reference. This is also referred to in the guidelines.

Sorry, did not care.

 

[Peregrin]

Sorry, did not care.

Nice response. The guidelines are not hard to understand.

As regards images, in the case of production knives the manufacturer's website is often a good resource for both pictures and descriptions of knives you wish to display and discuss. (The same holds true for many custom makers' websites.)
Please crop out details identifying vendors in posted images to avoid potential issues with the TOS.

Now, back on topic, please.

 

[Will Power]

This old Lag by David (Crossbow stamped on blade) has a nice insect on it, I like to think it's a Bee as this is a honey knife. It's also a small Lag which makes pocket carry very easy .

Gary As a side note, I'm sure Jolipapa meant he wasn't being careful enough...the emoji was one of embarrassment after all....

 

[Peregrin]

Gary As a side note, I'm sure Jolipapa meant he wasn't being careful enough...the emoji was one of embarrassment after all....

My apology if that's the case. The comment did seem out of character for Joilpapa.

Frank and I make these comments in the threads to reinforce the guidelines that sometimes don't get read. It's certainly not our intent to embarrass anyone. We all make mistakes. Lord knows I've made my fair share.

I am enjoying this thread. I hope this brief departure from the topic doesn't get it more off track.

 

[screened porch]

I never read the rules. I just glean them from the colored type.

 

[Peregrin]

I never read the rules. I just glean them from the colored type.

Proof that it works!

 

[Bartleby]

My apology if that's the case. The comment did seem out of character for Joilpapa.

Frank and I make these comments in the threads to reinforce the guidelines that sometimes don't get read. It's certainly not our intent to embarrass anyone. We all make mistakes. Lord knows I've made my fair share.

I am enjoying this thread. I hope this brief departure from the topic doesn't get it more off track.

Ironically, since the thread has developed into an exploration of a word that doesn't quite translate between French and English, this little faux pas of communication kinda works out.

 

[Jolipapa]

Ironically, since the thread has developed into an exploration of a word that doesn't quite translate between French and English, this little faux pas of communication kinda works out.

:thumbup: Faux pas is the right word!

 

[Will Power]

Language ambiguities and translations apart, This Is So Fly Or, To Bee Or Not To Bee