Share your French traditional/regional pocket knives

[meako]

 

[screened porch]

yeah? never had that happen to me. the lock ring on mine is pretty tight. is it on the coghlan or all of them? have you had it a long time?

That's a good question. I'm probably over- generalizing. The #8 I haven't used enough to criticize. The # 10 I used to carry in briefcase or backpack for outdoor dining and used mostly for slicing and perhaps spreading. The Coghlan is the only one I've used as a regular pocket knife, and it comes undone worst when I'm peeling an apple or something, rolling it in my grip. It's really a minor quibble about an excellent knife.

 

[Stich2442]

That is a fine looking En Aubrac, mammoth ivory scales ?

 

[jsolack]

Here the knife my wife bought me for our 10 year anniversary.

 

[T. Erdelyi]

I only have two but I feel they represent both ends of the scale, I have an Opinel #8 and like the OPs knife almost identical to the first pic in this thread, (I even have the same case)

 

[jackknife]

Other than the ubiquitous Opinel, Douk Douk and Laguiole knives which many of us have in our collections, my only other piece of interest that comes to mind is this multi-blade (circa 1920's-30's):

That is a totally cool knife!:thumbup:

I guess I don't think of multi blades when I think of French cutlery. A nice change of mindset.

Carl.

 

[Blues]

Glad you like it, Carl. The covers are cow horn by the way. BRL was kind enough to provide the info on that knife when I first got it. He said that it was pretty typical of the knives produced in Thiers during that period.

 

[jackknife]

Is there any special pains to take with cow horn? Mineral oil, or wax for upkeep?

 

[Blues]

Is there any special pains to take with cow horn? Mineral oil, or wax for upkeep?

Yeah, I throw it in the a nylon bag and take it out once or twice a year to eyeball it.

Nah...seriously, I rubbed the covers with some mineral oil (whether it needed it or not) and that's all she wrote. Lasted this long without any help from me.

 

[jackknife]

I guess a little mineral oil once in a great while can't hurt. But ya got a point about it making it that long with no help.:thumbup:

 

[wouldestous]

That's a good question. I'm probably over- generalizing. The #8 I haven't used enough to criticize. The # 10 I used to carry in briefcase or backpack for outdoor dining and used mostly for slicing and perhaps spreading. The Coghlan is the only one I've used as a regular pocket knife, and it comes undone worst when I'm peeling an apple or something, rolling it in my grip. It's really a minor quibble about an excellent knife.

huh. be interesting to see if the lock ring on my opinel loosens with time.
also, maybe you ought to start rotating the apple instead of the knife. lol

 

[scruffuk]

Some fine knives indeed. Juniper wood looks good on anything *drool*

Here's my modest collection:

The Cognet Douk Douk (smaller 65mm...its French so I'm using Metric ), in one form on another, is my most purchsed knife. I've definitly bought double figures of these, but I've gifted them away to friends and family. Its a pity when I strop it, the patina is lifted off. Ah well. Its a joy to use, and if I'm honest, not a lot it can't do on a day to day basis.

My L' Écureuil is a recent addition....I have given three of these away and my younger bro keeps leaving his laying around (he carries it everyday I reckon), and I couldn't take not having one any longer. The cheap pocket watch chain I picked up ages ago and found it again the other day.....I thought it would make a dapper lanyard, esp. for deep pockets (that's a Yorkshireman quip for Jack ).

I've owned a Marjacq in the past and Opinels standard & slim, none of which were kept long. There is just something about them I don't like. I realise whilst uploading these pics its probably something to do with the rear of the blade not being inline with the handle i think that's how best to describe it, maybe why I love the Douk-Douk's and as a result of my puukko fetish.....ramble ramble....

 

[Will Power]

Here the knife my wife bought me for our 10 year anniversary.

Excellent! Fontenille-Pataud produce knives of very high quality indeed and have a large choice. They also make a fine knife pouch as you can see from the picture:thumbup:

Those Juniper handled knives from Chambriard et al are also good, they have this very nice peppery smell from the wood.

 

[Will Power]

That is a fine looking En Aubrac, mammoth ivory scales ?

Not sure, but I rather think this is Ram's Horn, another material much in favour in Europe.

Thanks, Will

 

[smiling-knife]

Great knives everyone. Here are a few more.

 

[pinnah]

I have two bigger Opinels, but this Coghlan #7 is the only one I've ever pocket-carried. It's slim, light, and capable. The only thing I don't like about Opinels is the way the lock will undo itself as I use the knife.

I've found that Opinels are like violins - in need of regular tuning.

Two ways to get a more positive lock up. Both require taking the ring off for maintenance. My preferred method is to put the blade in a padded vice use the tips of a small pair of needle nose pliers to grab the inner surface of the slot in the ring. Open and move the ring forward, towards the blade. Expect it to shoot across the shop floor and under something.

The first method is to simply tighten the ring. Gently squeeze with padded pliers.

To put the ring back on, put the ring on the bench and simply push the closed knife down into the ring.

The second method requires a flat file. When you engage the lock ring, you will note that the top of the ring is slightly ramped to form a cam. The length of that ramp dictates how far you can spin the lock ring until it cams up against the blade. You can use a file to extend the ramp further around the ring. A stock ring will turn from the 6 oclock position to about the 7 or 8 oclock position. On mine, I extend the ramp so it spins to the 9 or 11 oclock position.

Using both methods ensures a more positive lock and also gives you more margin of error should the ring move while you're using it. I have the habit of checking it's position with my thumb as I work.

I should emphasize that I think the shallower ramp on the lock ring makes it harder for the blade to work the ring into moving. There's less leverage on the lock ring.

 

[moonwilson]

I only have a Douk Douk and an Opinel. This is my sad face:
I've been halfway looking for a nice Laguiole for years, but have yet to find one that was not ridiculously overpriced, or horribly made, or both. There are some knives in this thread I would be happy to own examples of. Nice stuff, gents!

 

[screened porch]

I've found that Opinels are like violins - in need of regular tuning.

I'll try all that one of these days. Thanks.

 

[jsolack]

Excellent! Fontenille-Pataud produce knives of very high quality indeed and have a large choice. They also make a fine knife pouch as you can see from the picture

Those Juniper handled knives from Chambriard et al are also good, they have this very nice peppery smell from the wood.

I agree its a great knife and the scales smell nice, sniffing the knife makes my wife think I'm crazy. I would love to get a Chambriard they seem like great knives.

 

[meako]

Not sure, but I rather think this is Ram's Horn, another material much in favour in Europe.

Thanks, Will

Yes -rams horn. sorry for tardy reply. Me and the Mrs did a weekend in Paris in September whilst visiting the UK. This is my main expensive souvenir of the trip. The shop was located round the corner from our hotel on the Ile St Louis. OMG . I felt like a Dingo in a maternity ward-I just wanted to consume. You should see the one I wanted but could not afford. Warthog Ivory. drooool.
Having said that this Ram must have been an impressive beast.

and that's why I reckon we should get rams horn for the 2013 forum knife.Its simply beautiful.