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.
Will Power and
Jolipapa have great ideas with the cork or matchstick. I use leather, but think I will try cork next time.
