Share your French traditional/regional pocket knives

hughd said:
scrteened porch and Jolipapa, I really like the look of that Pradel. Any advise as far as recommended maker/availability?
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Several makers still make a Pradel : le Sabot, Chevalerias, Parapluie, Le Fidèle, Issard, Genès David (made to order).More in your PM.
 
A comparison with a GEC #15. Blade size goes from 6,5cm to 9 through 7/7,5/8cm. This is 8cm.
Pradel-BSK.jpg
 
This knife has Horn handles, and I thought it would look nice next to some North American, and Sheffield knives in a Horn display I am working on. I know little about this Barbier, but enjoy its aged and useful appearance. It's a bit over 4 3/4" (12.3cm.)long. Maybe someone can tell me about it? The horn handles are rounded like "tubes", and the liners are folded back to bolster the pivot end of the knife. Interesting engineering!
Nice filework on the back. . .Barbier 1.jpg Barbier 2.jpg Barbier 3.jpg
 
waynorth said:
This knife has Horn handles, and I thought it would look nice next to some North American, and Sheffield knives in a Horn display I am working on. I know little about this Barbier, but enjoy its aged and useful appearance. It's a bit over 4 3/4" (12.3cm.)long. Maybe someone can tell me about it? The horn handles are rounded like "tubes", and the liners are folded back to bolster the pivot end of the knife. Interesting engineering!
Nice filework on the back. . .View attachment 737226 View attachment 737227 View attachment 737228
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Very interesting knife and shape. You probably already know that "Barbier" translates from French to English as "Barber", but it is most likely the makers name. I could find no mention of Barbier in the 1896 French book series by Camille Page, which is pretty comprehensive. This knife appears to be late 1800s to early 1900s and possibly dates just a little later than 1896 so not listed in Page's books. Or, it may not be French, but from another country like Belgium???
 
Intriguing shape, I agree it is probably pre 1914.
Barbier may be the name of a shop, the name being rare in Auvergne. Most established cutlers had a trademark with a number or a sign, animal or tool, even an articulated leg. The guillochage looks to be more of a signature of the worker who assembled it than a luxury ornament, lots of knives being assembled at home by workers paid on a piecework basis.
If you're ok I can send the picture to friends , who knows. :)
 
Thanks for the look and opinions, Neal and JP.
By all means, send the pictures along, JP! Any information is welcome and appreciated!
 
36184209546_25b5684f4d_z.jpg


There are some very elegant knives in this thread! Here are two of my user Douk Douks and a limited edition model with stainless Mox27co steel and a copper-plated handle. I'm not familiar with Mox27co, but apparently it's around HRC58, while the standard steel is around HRC50-52. I'm a huge fan of the standard super-soft steel. Very easy to get to an excellent edge.
 
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After moving to a new to us home, things were/are tight so I had about everything up forsale, including this beauty, but lucky for me :) no one was keenly interested in getting it and I am able to hang onto her a while longer! Exceptional cutter with a great slicing blade and nice stainless bolsters and good gripping stag, what more can a growing boy ask for ;)

Chambriard_compagnon1 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr


Chambriard_compagnon3 by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

Glad to have her on board!
G2
 
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