Traditional French Fry day

"And now for something completely different......"

Well, it's old and it was made by a French knifemaker! An "Au Lion" M-1918 from WWI. As so often the "Au Lion" stamp on the ricasso is very faint. Note the field modification to the metal sheath. Originally there were two clasps that were meant to fix the sheath on the pistol, or ammo belt, but those were rather flimsy and kept breaking off. On this sheath the were replaced by an hook soldered onto the sheath so it could be fixed through the eyelets on the belt.


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ScottK said:
A Hermes Paris, picked this one up at a show a few years ago - If anyone can point me to info on these knives please leave a comment. Thanks!
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If it should read "Eloi" stamped on the tang it is made by Eloi-Pernet, Nogent/Marne. The screw on the middle is quite puzzling nevertheless.
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Mongin, also from Nogent is another purveyor of top brands like Hermès and Dunhill. The screwed (😉) axle is different.
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Knives-of-France said:
Definitely a classic.
Montpellier by Cognet, based on old blueprint of a traditional friction folder sailor's knife.
Carbon steel blade.

If you want to know more about the Montpellier knife, go check my blog article
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I LOVE the Montpellier knife.... So much that I had to have two in each size. o_O Posted my user here last week. Good to see these available stateside!

Side O'Beef said:
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Another one of my favorites. You got a real winner- that horn is gorgeous!!

Some great knives this week! Here's my French Friday Favorite!
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TheJon said:
I've been wanting to try one of these for a while, how do you like it?
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Quite honestly in my opinion, they should stick to friction folders which they do best.

This slip joint is only acceptable if you are willing to baby it while closing or you will likely see blade rap.
At least that has been my experience with 4 full size Violin's in either Boxwood or Oak Barrel.
I'm reminded that most Laguioles for example are notorious for blade rap and must be carefully closed.
It's even said to be a French tradition to do so. This pattern from Nontron is similar in that regard.
Just as there are some French makers of the Laguiole that have solved the blade rap issue ...
Maybe there are French makers of a similar "Violin" pattern who also have. One can hope.
I wouldn't be shocked if there are some from Nontron that have no blade rap but perhaps those would have to be cherry picked. Dunno
Sometimes you may find a Violin that in order to avoid excessive blade rap, the blade tip is almost proud of the handle.
Just sitting high enough to easily catch and possible nick a finger tip. There just isn't much room to play with in the construction.

As for fit and finish, this is a user and worker and not to be confused with a prized collection piece of exceptional fit and finish.
Besides the possible blade rap, expect to see slightly sunken backsprings when closed but flush when open.
Blade centering may be slightly off which isn't surprising at the price point. Like all production knives there will be something off, here and there, now and then.
Especially production knives that are semi-handmade.
The blade centering is USUALLY easily corrected as I have had to do so with many Case knives for example.
The thing is though, the "Nontron" and Logo are deep stamps in the blade steel and I did break one blade on a Violin (right through the Logo) while trying to center it.
The deep stamps weaken the blade strength in those areas.

The proprietary T12 steel from Forge de Laguiole (owner of Nontron) easily takes a fine edge and the cover materials are of good quality.
While exact specifications of T12 are unknown, it is said to be similar to 12C27 and seems so to me.

I would like to hear other's experience with the Nontron Violin as I only have experience with four of them.
Other than that, I close the knife carefully and enjoy carrying and using a knife I would love to love.

At the end of the day, the ONLY thing that troubles me about this knife, given the expectations at this price point, is the blade rap.
1 in a 50 times of closing (i'm scientific like that ;) ) the blade will slip from my finger tips and slam shut, necessitating a resharpening experience.
It has even crossed my mind to order ANOTHER Violin in hope of a better experience. I like the knife that much. I'm a gluten for punishment I guess LOL.
In the meantime, I may stick with the German OTTER-Messer 161's of a similar but larger pattern which haven't disappointed me in any way ... considering the price point.

... but an OTTER-Messer is NOT a Nontron ... nor vice versa.
 
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B BrotherJim Thanks for your objective appraisal based on your own experiences.

I'd suggest doing what I do with all my French knives (apart from Fontenille-Patauds with stop pins) I cut out a pieces of cork to fit snugly at the end of the handle well, moisten it slightly to swell it up. This takes the sting out of any potential blade rap caused by the blade slipping from your fingers when trying to close it. You can use leather, matchstick etc but I've found cork the best.

Regards, Will
 
Will Power said:
B BrotherJim Thanks for your objective appraisal based on your own experiences.

I'd suggest doing what I do with all my French knives (apart from Fontenille-Patauds with stop pins) I cut out a pieces of cork to fit snugly at the end of the handle well, moisten it slightly to swell it up. This takes the sting out of any potential blade rap caused by the blade slipping from your fingers when trying to close it. You can use leather, matchstick etc but I've found cork the best.

Regards, Will
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Old timers used a bit of wood of match stick.
An interesting experience to do in any French restaurant. No one will notice that you're using your own knife (though this becomes rarer). Snap it close and you will hear the silence and see horrified faces... 😊😊😊
 
BrotherJim said:
Quite honestly in my opinion, they should stick to friction folders which they do best.

This slip joint is only acceptable if you are willing to baby it while closing or you will likely see blade rap.
At least that has been my experience with 4 full size Violin's in either Boxwood or Oak Barrel.
I'm reminded that most Laguioles for example are notorious for blade rap and must be carefully closed.
It's even said to be a French tradition to do so. This pattern from Nontron is similar in that regard.
Just as there are some French makers of the Laguiole that have solved the blade rap issue ...
Maybe there are French makers of a similar "Violin" pattern who also have. One can hope.
I wouldn't be shocked if there are some from Nontron that have no blade rap but perhaps those would have to be cherry picked. Dunno
Sometimes you may find a Violin that in order to avoid excessive blade rap, the blade tip is almost proud of the handle.
Just sitting high enough to easily catch and possible nick a finger tip. There just isn't much room to play with in the construction.

As for fit and finish, this is a user and worker and not to be confused with a prized collection piece of exceptional fit and finish.
Besides the possible blade rap, expect to see slightly sunken backsprings when closed but flush when open.
Blade centering may be slightly off which isn't surprising at the price point. Like all production knives there will be something off, here and there, now and then.
Especially production knives that are semi-handmade.
The blade centering is USUALLY easily corrected as I have had to do so with many Case knives for example.
The thing is though, the "Nontron" and Logo are deep stamps in the blade steel and I did break one blade on a Violin (right through the Logo) while trying to center it.
The deep stamps weaken the blade strength in those areas.

The proprietary T12 steel from Forge de Laguiole (owner of Nontron) easily takes a fine edge and the cover materials are of good quality.
While exact specifications of T12 are unknown, it is said to be similar to 12C27 and seems so to me.

I would like to hear other's experience with the Nontron Violin as I only have experience with four of them.
Other than that, I close the knife carefully and enjoy carrying and using a knife I would love to love.

At the end of the day, the ONLY thing that troubles me about this knife, given the expectations at this price point, is the blade rap.
1 in a 50 times of closing (i'm scientific like that ;) ) the blade will slip from my finger tips and slam shut, necessitating a resharpening experience.
It has even crossed my mind to order ANOTHER Violin in hope of a better experience. I like the knife that much. I'm a gluten for punishment I guess LOL.
In the meantime, I may stick with the German OTTER-Messer 161's of a similar but larger pattern which haven't disappointed me in any way ... considering the price point.

... but an OTTER-Messer is NOT a Nontron ... nor vice versa.
Click to expand...
Your assessment of fit and finish seems to be spot on with about 50% of the French knives I have handled. I will say, every single one of them (besides the Fontenille Pataud lockbacks with blade stops) has the kick on the spring itself, rather than the blade, and that is the reason for blade rap. It is the same with all of my Spanish and Italian traditionals as well. It's just a design feature you have to deal with. I think Will Power Will Power and Jolipapa Jolipapa have great ideas with the cork or matchstick. I use leather, but think I will try cork next time.

Since becoming interested in European traditionals, I have actually changed my habits and close every knife gently now, even if I'm sure there is no blade rap. To each their own.

BTW, that Violin is a beauty, but I like your wine barrel one better!
 
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