Not that GEC would bother with a Laguiole pattern knife... but...?

PocketKnifeJimmy

PocketKnifeJimmy

Joined
Aug 4, 2013
Messages
3,989
Okay, so I know that GEC specializes American traditional pocket knives... But humor me for a second here. Let us say that some firm like GEC did make one. Let us say they did the file work found on many of these French knives. Let's say they had their blade made from a forging.... and basically followed the average way that the French make them. What do you think the going price would be (guestimate). I know that GEC will likely not mess with this pattern... if the French specialize in this pattern, are able to get it right, then why fix what ain't broke. But, just for ha ha's... what would a quality American firm, like GEC, have to charge for such labor on such a knife?
 
Btw... when I placed an order for one of these French knives earlier today, I was pricing around on the net. They do range in price, depending on, like anything else, what bells and whistles it may or may not have. The sizes seem to be small, medium, and larger specimens... going up in price on size alone as well. My order is for one that is just under 4 1/2" long in closed position.. with only one blade and no other tools attached. Price was in the $150 range... and that ain't inexpensive, but can't imagine they would cost less than $250 if made identically in America... but I think some here would be better at giving a good guess at what the cost of an American made one would cost.
 
Last edited:
I'm all for buying American, but that's with American patterns. Bowies, most slipjoint patterns, and the like. When it comes to ethnic knives I want them made in their country of origin. I want my khukuris from Nepal, puukkos from Finland, Laguioles from France.

We aren't the only ones who know how to make good knives.

- Christian
 
I thought I was clear... I even said, "why fix what ain't broken"... I mean, the pattern belongs to the French, and they doa good job at it.

The question is hypothetical... and is more as a "what if"... just to get an idea what the similar product being made here would cost us if we were to buy the american made specimen... see what I mean, gentlemen? So back to the question.. not to be taken too serious... just for ha ha's... or did I not already say that? ;-)
 
kamagong said:
I'm all for buying American, but that's with American patterns. Bowies, most slipjoint patterns, and the like. When it comes to ethnic knives I want them made in their country of origin. I want my khukuris from Nepal, puukkos from Finland, Laguioles from France.

We aren't the only ones who know how to make good knives.

- Christian
Click to expand...

Jimmy, I have to agree with Christian here. I understand the "what if" fantasy talk :p but why a Laguiole? why not some filework and a forged blade on their toothpick, or any other American traditional pattern they already have into production?
On with the talk, I think there is quite a difference in company structure between Laguiole and GEC (or most US factories, for that matter)...so it's really hard to tell.
How would GEC do with a balisong, or a resolza? I think it's a bit too far from their range and strategy.
Like picturing a Land Rover producing a Corvette :D

Fausto
:cool:
 
The question is really not GEC even considering this in reality... it is more of a what if a firm was to make this knife, what it would cost here. In other words... the chinese copy that particular French based knife, and these copies cost considerably less because they have such cheap labor costs. We, americans, have higher pay.. and tend to be better at quality standards... so the question is only an if... Even forget the GEC example I made... let's say any firm wanting to make this pattern here. But, if it is too far from even imagining the idea, I guess one can't imagine guessing what this particular knife would cost if made within our borders.
 
Not so sure French pay is any less than American quite frankly!

Most French makers are quite small or artisan, they have generations of experience and it's not cheap, nor should it be.
 
Many European folks came to America with their skills and set up shop.. Let's fast forward to today, when folks still move from one country to another with their back home skills... not so inconceivable.. So the idea is really not so far from imagination. There are labor costs... yes... but also other cost differences to consider that are not on direct labor, per say, but different operating costs in america in general (government in pockets comes to mind)..... cost of similar materials here in the usa... and other factors, I guess. But, in the end, it is just a question of how much this particular pattern would cost "IF" it were made in USA... And, if one cares not to take a stab at an educated guess.. that is fine too :-)
 
I understand the question but I have to agree with Christian, to me the toothpick is the American version and the Gec version would be the Templar. To be a true Laguiole it needs to be made in specific region in France, like Champagne from the Champagne region everything else is sparkling wine, sort of like if Ford motors was to make a Austin Healey, it might look like a Austin Healey, but it's not.

Pete
 
A copy, it may be, but a Laguiole pattern, it would still be. A trapper made in china, is still a trapper patterned knife.

As for current US made toothpicks... close... but I believe the laguiole would add considerable costs. The average laguiole, if one would be trying to replicate the old school methods being used by the current better makers in France of this pattern, has a forged steel blade. Also, add the bee/fly/ bug thing to the back spring and such.there are some things that seperate the Laguiole from the basic Toothpick, and would need ti be considerd as added costs.
 
Last edited:
French knives / European knives tend to be regional the Nontron (Dordogne), the Laguiole (Aveyron) and the Opinel (Savoie) or the knives of Fausto's home the Pattada, of Sardinia. Most knives in the states are not steeped in a rich regional tradition, most started as knives made in England or German immigrants setting up shop in the states. For the Laguiole there is a strong culture/ history to the knife, the handles originally made only from the Aubac cows horn of the region. the shepards cross etc. There are tons of Laguiole knockoffs from China, Pakastan, Mexico, etc. are they Laguiole style knives ? yes, are they a true Laguiole? no. Unfortunitly the Laguiole name was not protected and has been used and abused, the name represented a quality, but has been used now as a marketing tool for cheap knockoffs.
I guess I'll play, addressing your question, you would be entering the custom market if a US maker like GEC was to make to the standard of a maker like Laguiole En Aubrac and not the more mass produced models.
There are 109 production steps in a one piece knife, 166 for a two piece knife, 216 steps in a three piece knife, all done by one person, individual cutler, so I think you would be getting into $1000 and up range for a US knife maker to produce accurately.

Pete
 
I assume that forging would be out of the question actually.
If no cutlery factory forges their steel in the US (correct me if I'm wrong), then there must be a reason. Nor I can picture any factory taking that road.
As for the pattern, well, aside from filework maybe, any US company could produce one, obviously making a copy of a Laguiole. But if we're talking about the same way of making a knife, then you would be going completely out of GEC's price range. In many areas of Europe (just like in sardinia, for example), the whole knifemaking process is very different from the American way, where it's basically divided between factory production (with variable human intervention) and custom making of single knives. Laguiole's come out a different path, so it's very hard to answer your question, if GEC (or any other company) decided to make those knives the way they're made in their country of origin.

Fausto
:cool:
 
I was watching a 'Forge De Laguiole' video this morning on youtube... The video showed quite a bit of hand craftsmanship. I had wondered about their blade forging.... was it hand hammered forging (really old school), or was it hydraulic drop hammer forging ((just a little less old school). Well, it is done by drop forging, (which likely makes for a more consistant product than hand hammer forging). In any case, I do doubt any blade malers in the US still use drop forging for blades... obviously being much less expensive to cut or stamp out blades from sheeted bar stock, than forging. I know Buck knives made a survival type fixed bladed knife during the 1980's using a dropped forged blade... but don't think anything like that is left in the knife industry in the US.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top