Mystery knife of mine???? Expertise will be appreciated!!

L

less108

Joined
Mar 19, 2022
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Hi again, this one I is a bit of a mystery to me?? I was told the handle was made out of elephant bone?? Did sum test and seems to be true. But this knife has no markings either? At least that I've seen. Was wondering what kinda knife would this be called it's a folding knife in it's 10' inch long has patina so was wondering possibly a year if at all possible?? Blade also is 4.5' inches long & very sharp.https://photos.app.goo.gl/c2Gggdho9toJyDFy5Thanks
 
I don't know. Can only say it looks French. Almost like a Laguiole but not the same as Laguiole knives sold these days.
 
less108 said:
Huhhh??? French. Okay thank u!
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Yeah I could be wrong as it's just an educated guess but Laguiole have that sort of muskrat clip (although usually a flat grind), are often about 12 cm closed and can sometimes have a keychain ring. So not an exact match but similar elements.

LA1270B_01_forge-de-laguiole-la1270b-01.jpeg
 
do you have to pull the ring to unlock the blade? Is there a backspring, or is it a locking friction folder?
 
blanco112 said:
Yeah I could be wrong as it's just an educated guess but Laguiole have that sort of muskrat clip (although usually a flat grind), are often about 12 cm closed and can sometimes have a keychain ring. So not an exact match but similar elements.

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Yea it does kinda resemble that a little??? The keychain circular piece on mine is actually how you unlock it. You grab it in pull up hard in it will release it where you can fold it back down. In when you open it you will hear it click locking it. And you can tell it's made fairly good, no loose parts at all except for the circular ring that opens it. What made you think french if I may ask???
 
less108 said:
Yea it does kinda resemble that a little??? The keychain circular piece on mine is actually how you unlock it. You grab it in pull up hard in it will release it where you can fold it back down. In when you open it you will hear it click locking it. And you can tell it's made fairly good, no loose parts at all except for the circular ring that opens it. What made you think french if I may ask???
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Like I said in my posts, it resembles the knives that I linked and mentioned. If BDubbs BDubbs is correct that would also make sense as the Navaja was the inspiration for the Laguiole.
 
less108 said:
Hi again, this one I is a bit of a mystery to me?? I was told the handle was made out of elephant bone?? Did sum test and seems to be true. But this knife has no markings either? At least that I've seen. Was wondering what kinda knife would this be called it's a folding knife in it's 10' inch long has patina so was wondering possibly a year if at all possible?? Blade also is 4.5' inches long & very sharp.https://photos.app.goo.gl/c2Gggdho9toJyDFy5Thanks
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Google the phrase “couteau à palme” and look at the images. There have been makers in other countries (most notably Okapi in Germany then South Africa), but it is my understanding that this is a typically French style of knife.

It is odd that yours has an interior and not exterior (“palme”) backspring, but the styling is very similar.
 
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Looks like Cudeman (Spain), makes something with the same mechanism but different handle styling:

c7T40zA.jpg

(Also not my picture)
 
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It also looks like Forge de Laguiole makes or made a Laguiole with a ring like that, so again, French. I think I had better stop speculating and wait for our esteemed French members chime in 😂🤣:cool:
 
No your good. More Info than I've come up with in the past 8 hours!!lol but bn serious.) I think your probably rite about the French connection. LMK possibly what they think and thanks and have a blessed day.
 
Elephant bone?
Could that be a euphemism for ivory...the knife certainly looks old enough to have been around when that was possible...I think a jeweller maybe could test it.....Its just ...well...who's ever heard elephant bone?
Cheers
 
Doesn’t get any closer to an answer but there is a great French regional thread thats over 80 pages at this point. One of my favorites in traditionals to scroll through…

French regional knives...

What brands are best quality,which ones are best deal for money?I am falling in love with some of these traditional patterns of knives,and am tired of modern tactical stuff,but do not want to spend too much money either,i have 5 opinels,and 2 laguioles,and am looking for something...
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
Can you show a picture of the spine of the knife please? Is there file-work on the spring? Also, a picture of it closed, it's a large knife and the French & Spanish made bigger knives in the early c20th . The key ring looks modern, originally it might've been split brass or iron ring, the scales could be BONE that's aged very nicely, Ivory is fragile and will almost always show cracks with use and this has been used but well cared for. It also looks like is has fairly coarse pores in it, Ivory tends to be finer grain.

I'd hazard a guess at French early c20th so an old knife when Jolipapa Jolipapa looks into this thread he will be able to bring extensive knowledge to bear.
 
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