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- Feb 4, 1999
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This has probably been done already, but I wanted to add my 2 cents. The Emrson LaGriffe is a production model of the popular, but hard-to-get Fred Perrin original. Fred's is hand forged and ground and they usually feature a needle-like point with a hollow chisel grind on one side of the blade only. They are usually a simple carbon steel such as 1095, I believe, although I may be wrong on the steel type. I believe the Emerson version is 154CM which is the American version of ATS-34. The knife is meant to be a neck knife and offers several distinct advantages in the regard, at least for self-defense purposes.
I was initially struck by the small size of the LaGriffe. It is tiny (no actual measurements, but rest assured even with small hands it is tiny to me!)! That said, the knife is very comfortable in the hand due to the ergonomic design: there is a large hole that the index finger slips through and the rest of the handle curves down like the handle on a .32 Special. The Kydex sheath is as minimal as it can get, and you can rest assured I'll be designing my own version that will incorporate belt and neck carry features! Contact me if you want one like that, too. The sheath is fine for neck use, though, and as small and low-profile as can be expected. Retention is good and there is no blade rattle/wobble.
The knife itself is coated in black Teflon, I would assume, and features a bunch of holes in the handle for light weight and grip improvement. The main difference between the Emerson and the Perrin original, aside from the manufacturing processes, is the blade. The Emerson blade is a hawksbill style insuring good point penetration and wicked fear factor! It seems pretty sharp out of the box, but I am no fan of chisel grinds. In fact I am not really a fan of the neck knife fad altogether, yet in the last month I have aquired a REKAt Fang, Emerson La Griffe, and a Livesay Titanium Tiger! Go figure!
Anyway, the design principles of this knife are its strongest factors. Make no mistake, this knife is not intended for or designed with any utility purposes in mind, and would perform poorly in every utility task except maybe box-cutting. This knife is for self defense. The rest of this is my own opinion, although I am writing it like it's fact, so bear with me:
Fred must've made this knife for the everyday guy who has no background in martial arts or knife fighting. It's very shape requires a punching-like fist to be wrapped around the knife and, therefore, it is a formidible weapon for anyone who can make a fist and punch! Brilliant! Secondly, the finger hole gives the user a great hold on the knife, insuring it will remian with the user and not be kicked or hit away. This also allows an experienced user to do open-hand strikes while letting the knife dangle on the finger. Yet another great design principle!
The knife is also assymetrically shaped, so the hand can instantly index the direction the blade is facing right from the get-go. Some neck knives are so simple and symmetric that one has no idea if the cord has twisted and it is a complete surprise as to how the knife will be presented. The shape of the knife eliminates this altogether. Finally, the blade is small. So small, in fact, that without luck, a huge blast of fighting frenzy adrenalin, or great skill, one would be hard-pressed to deal an attacker a fatal blow. This looks good from a court's point of view, and also is a great advantage who want to carry protection that is not lethal. In my opinion (no martial arts or fighting background), this knife is ideal for anyone who wants a little edged confidence on the mean streets and has little in the way of experience with knife-fighting or martial arts. Also for people who want non-lethal force. I don't recommend carrying any knives for purposes other than utility, but if y9u were going to, the the LaGriffe is the tool for you. A+++, Emerson, and bravo to Fred who has perhaps made the ideal neck knife!
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My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
I was initially struck by the small size of the LaGriffe. It is tiny (no actual measurements, but rest assured even with small hands it is tiny to me!)! That said, the knife is very comfortable in the hand due to the ergonomic design: there is a large hole that the index finger slips through and the rest of the handle curves down like the handle on a .32 Special. The Kydex sheath is as minimal as it can get, and you can rest assured I'll be designing my own version that will incorporate belt and neck carry features! Contact me if you want one like that, too. The sheath is fine for neck use, though, and as small and low-profile as can be expected. Retention is good and there is no blade rattle/wobble.
The knife itself is coated in black Teflon, I would assume, and features a bunch of holes in the handle for light weight and grip improvement. The main difference between the Emerson and the Perrin original, aside from the manufacturing processes, is the blade. The Emerson blade is a hawksbill style insuring good point penetration and wicked fear factor! It seems pretty sharp out of the box, but I am no fan of chisel grinds. In fact I am not really a fan of the neck knife fad altogether, yet in the last month I have aquired a REKAt Fang, Emerson La Griffe, and a Livesay Titanium Tiger! Go figure!
Anyway, the design principles of this knife are its strongest factors. Make no mistake, this knife is not intended for or designed with any utility purposes in mind, and would perform poorly in every utility task except maybe box-cutting. This knife is for self defense. The rest of this is my own opinion, although I am writing it like it's fact, so bear with me:
Fred must've made this knife for the everyday guy who has no background in martial arts or knife fighting. It's very shape requires a punching-like fist to be wrapped around the knife and, therefore, it is a formidible weapon for anyone who can make a fist and punch! Brilliant! Secondly, the finger hole gives the user a great hold on the knife, insuring it will remian with the user and not be kicked or hit away. This also allows an experienced user to do open-hand strikes while letting the knife dangle on the finger. Yet another great design principle!
The knife is also assymetrically shaped, so the hand can instantly index the direction the blade is facing right from the get-go. Some neck knives are so simple and symmetric that one has no idea if the cord has twisted and it is a complete surprise as to how the knife will be presented. The shape of the knife eliminates this altogether. Finally, the blade is small. So small, in fact, that without luck, a huge blast of fighting frenzy adrenalin, or great skill, one would be hard-pressed to deal an attacker a fatal blow. This looks good from a court's point of view, and also is a great advantage who want to carry protection that is not lethal. In my opinion (no martial arts or fighting background), this knife is ideal for anyone who wants a little edged confidence on the mean streets and has little in the way of experience with knife-fighting or martial arts. Also for people who want non-lethal force. I don't recommend carrying any knives for purposes other than utility, but if y9u were going to, the the LaGriffe is the tool for you. A+++, Emerson, and bravo to Fred who has perhaps made the ideal neck knife!
------------------
My Custom Kydex Sheath pagehttp://www.geocities.com/CollegePark/Lab/1298/knifehome.html
Palmer College of Chiropractic
On Two Wheels
