Truly remarkable work Alain, I don't think I've seen more complex work on a contemporary knife. Those Fisherman knives of Herrero are reminiscent of the Sportsman genre from Sheffield in its golden age. Then that Zeppelin!
They must cost an absolute fortune but are works of art. You say he's one of the top 5 cutlers in France? Are there others of similar skill and interpretation?
Astounding artistry, thanks for giving us the link.
Regards, Will
The Sportsmans and Fishermans (and a few others) are a tribute to Sheffield past knives, yes. Have you noticed the cork screw on the Sportsmans?
There's a lot of impressive knifemakers, most have been MOF - Meilleur Ouvrier de France, Best Worker of France, some are "self made men", having beeen formed by other knifemakers. Price is often astronomic, the handles being often made of rare stuff, including meteorite...
Thiers is well know, Nogent is often forgotten but was once a vey important place, renowned for the special steel. They produced the best scissors for exemple. There are still a few knifemaker of very high quality, the most famous being Mongin (who did all the Hermès folding knives).
http://www.couteauxetciseauxdart.com/77-couteaux-mongin I really dig the fisher's knife, but I 'll take it with black horn handles. click also on the "Couteaux d'art link to see other great makers.
Problem is that most don't have a web site (they don't need , knives are often ordered directly).
Robert Beillonnet is another of the top 5, but it is hard to see his work, his web site is amusing but not very clear, particularly for non -french speaking and clearly shows the man's "philosophy".
http://robert-beillonnet.com/
Some of his knives here :
http://couteaux.clicforum.com/t164-Robert-Beillonnet.htm and here
http://www.couteau-savoyard.com/86-beillonnet-robert
BTW Beillonnet designed (and realized the first 50) the Alios! He has no limit.
Some are represented here
http://www.coutebox.com/PBCPPlayer.asp?ID=960616 .
One I like, makes simple but very good looking things :
http://yann-nomine.fr/index.php/le-grimpeur
With most it is better to go and see them, you get "Your" knife, you can quite design it and they realize it then.
Next september will see the SICAC an important knifemaker show, I'll try to make some pictures.
ps Will, it is
abattoir, not
abbatoir 
:thumbup:
