Share your French traditional/regional pocket knives

I just received my Le trapper and le companion. What a bug this has given me I had to stop just now form purchase le compac and Forge De Laguiole 11cm Juniper Wood. These are like a breath of fresh air I have been looking at all the modern style knives and had almost lost my interest, but this current European escapade has brought back my passion. Thanks for all your wonderful posts.
 
Nice, the Trappeur is next on my wish list, just have to save up for it now.
G2
 
Note the arrangement of the stamps.

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Just picked up this older #13 and man it's a beast and very sharp too
below the 13 is a 12 then a 10, 9, 8 and 6

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Finally took some photos today, here's my Laguiole:

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And my little collection of Opinel No. 6's:

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Got this one a while back, not sold on it though. Has a hard pull, not very smooth and the tip of the blade hits the spring when closed. It is a nice looking knife though.


 
eschwebach said:
Got this one a while back, not sold on it though. Has a hard pull, not very smooth and the tip of the blade hits the spring when closed. It is a nice looking knife though.


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Nothing wrong with it, it is very typical of older Laguioles, the lack of kick allows the blade to recess into the handle after years of use and sharpening, close it gently, respecting the proverb “resort silencieux vivra vieux”, (silent spring will live longer).


Pete
 
Stich2442 said:
Nothing wrong with it, it is very typical of older Laguioles, the lack of kick allows the blade to recess into the handle after years of use and sharpening, close it gently, respecting the proverb “resort silencieux vivra vieux”, (silent spring will live longer).


Pete
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Thanks Pete, I will keep that in mind.
 
Both of mine lack a kick, they are both pre 2000, many or most newer ones have kicks, as for spring tension, most French knives are not for the weak fingered, they are strong.

Pete
 
Not sure on those, but the Chambriards have an internal type kick, the back spring has a bump that strikes the tang area, BUT, if you do let them snap shut, there is a very good chance of over travel and the blade will smack the back spring and cause a flat spot, so I'm pretty careful not to let anyone else close those knives :(
G2
 
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My wife also recently bought me a Juniper scaled 1515 by Manu Laplace, but as it's to be a Christmas gift, it's currently locked away in my gun safe - so no pictures for the time being. I'm eagerly awaiting Christmas though.
 
Man that's a long wait for sure! but it'll be nice come Christmas morning !!! :)

These two stag ones are great, they widen out nicely and fit the hand well, very lovely knives to carry each day, one in my watch pocket and one in a belt sheath, everyone at work really likes the overall look and especially the file worked springs.

Borrowed some of the wife's decorations, tis the season after all !

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G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
Man that's a long wait for sure! but it'll be nice come Christmas morning !!! :)

These two stag ones are great, they widen out nicely and fit the hand well, very lovely knives to carry each day, one in my watch pocket and one in a belt sheath, everyone at work really likes the overall look and especially the file worked springs.

Borrowed some of the wife's decorations, tis the season after all !

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G2
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I really like the stag on those two. Very nice!
 
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Another Laguiole.... This one made by Forge De Laguiole in Laguiole, France. Forged stainless steel blade, chisled/engraved backspring, ebony wood hande, 11cm closed length, brass bolsters, steel blade pivot pin. Love the extra oomph of diversity it adds to my traditional knife collection ;-)
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Not many of these. The Laguole's were bought shortly after I started to actively accumulate. Back when I wanted one of everything. The Opinels came to live here within the past six months.

Laguole Rossignol
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Laguole Veritable Brossard
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Opinal #8 Slim
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Opinel #8 Garden Knife
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Thanks guys, I really like those two stag handled versions for sure, they are a real treat!
Edited to add some of the many reasons I like these folders;

The flow of the lines when opened are very artistic
The bolsters are not only angled at the front but angled with a slight curve at the junction of the scale material which also then is angled and curved to match up, again a flow
And the blade, the plunge line follows the angle of the bolster, while some have a straight down plunge line and then and angled bolster, that just throws off the flow to me and isn't as attractive, so Chambriard's do this very well
Spring has the forged in wider front part where the T. for Thiers is embossed and of course the lovely file worked back spring, you will see inconsistencies in the hand filing BUT those are inspired work and for me, it shows that each were done by hand and in that, you are seeing the workers hands in action, an artist creation with no two being exactly the same, such is art !
and of course the better grade of steel for the blade, the Gillette Razor steel, man I know I always comment on that, but these just get SO very sharp it's crazy!

I'm very tempted to get the Le Trappeur but funds hold me back ;) of course, plus I'm not sure that I really need the larger version.

And those Laguiole's are interesting but for me I guess I'm more the Chambriard le Thiers kind a guy, more stream lined look, but the Laguiole does look sleek too, gotta focus!

Like your #8 Slim there, I have the Olive wood and Ebony version, yours seems to have a slightly wider blade than mine!
G2
 
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My focus gets sidetracked alot, lol! I guess as long as it's traditional, and it catches my eye for some reason, (and if funds are available)... then in the collection it may go ;-) Nice pics of all the many different knives. Makes me realize how this hobby of mine, collecting traditional type knives, can be endless... so the interest can always be resparked :-)
 
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