Traditionals from all over the world

Will Power said:
Was thinking about a Chamois, but if they have weak springs/lazy action I'm put right off...especially as they are not that cheap.
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I don't think the weak spring is a special spec of the Chamois as it is pretty much the same build as the Capuchadou (blade excepted) and designed by the same cutler (Richard Sossler). I compared them side by side and all I can see is that the notch in the Chamois' tang is very slightly shallower. The action is decent, I'd rate it a five. I suppose the first one was a miss and they sent one that was correct without hunting for the hardest action ever. I should have sent it back a second time... If you have the possibility to buy in hand, it's ideal, of course. And yes, Fontenille Pataud is on the pricey side of Laguioles. On the other hand, their fit and finish is a notch above the crowd.
 
Somehow this thread derailed into French knives..... I have some others, but the French really know how to make a fancy knife.

Just got this Capuchadou. I was very surprised at the size. I thought it would be larger. This is the 10cm one. Actually a very good EDC size. It has a very antique feel to me. Pictured with a GEC 15 for size reference.

Studded Buffalo Horn
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I’ve had a few Laguioles and I like their looks, but hate how they feel in hand. I don’t like the way the handle is narrow on the profile and wide when you look at the back of the knife on the spring side. I guess it’s just the opposite of what I’m used to. At any rate, this Laguiole En Aubrac is a great example of a handmade knife. I forget what the stone is on the handle.

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Finally, getting to my absolute favorite French design, the Le Thiers knife. Something about that very basic bent handle shape just does it for me. Forget Spyderco ergonomics. It’s doesnt get much better than this.

Buffalo horn bark
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I also recently ordered a couple of Le Thiers knives by Goyon-Chazeau. Anyone here had experience with them? They look like they should be pretty high quality.
 
The thing is we all like knives here ;) and the French have a flair for folders. :thumbsup:

draggat's is very very nice, for example.



Even the humble (my word) Opinel in the post above is a beauty. BUT - as I suggested, we are a soft sell kind of group :)

Keep em' comin'
Ray
 
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black mamba said:
Well, this one ain't French, it's Russian, and a fine knife at that. Stainless steel comparable to 440C with birch bark and micarta handle. 8.4 inches overall length, with a 3¾" blade, it's very light weight and incredibly comfortable in the hand.

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That is a work of art! I like everything about it. Looks like it will be a dream in use !
 
draggat draggat You have amazing knives. I especially like the Thiers and even more the Capuchadou. This one is absolutely stunning.

And the Russians make knives with a special flair. I don't know which of their patterns are actually traditional but they sure look and feel "traditional" to me. And I love leather handles...
This one is made by A&R Zlatoust :

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Whoa -^ это очень хорошо
If you get my meaning ;) Very nice indeed!

Ray
 
Thanks ! I like also the light weight, the solid feeling and the excellent grip provided by the hand filling handle. Despite the artistic engraving, it certainly is a working knife.
 
I really like the Russian knives here. Were these acquired by any of you directly from Russia or an intermediary? My brief foray into looking for a Russian knife ended rather quickly as I am unable to decipher their alphabet. Not that I speak French or Italian by any stretch, but at least I can begin to understand some of the things written on the websites. I’ve also heard that the mail system in Russia can be problematic, with theft being one of the biggest issues.....

Another knife on my bucket list is a Resolza or Pattadda? Can’t seem to find them very easily so I may be asking one of our Italian friends here at some point!

Really liking this thread!!
 
One more thing.... anyone here have a Barrel knife? Another one that seems to elude my searches.
 
OH Man - another part of the world knives that I have yet to discover (other than a very favorite Shiro). :confused:

I'll keep an eye out on that thread and related links. Thanks. I didn't know! :thumbsup:

Ray
 
The Russians have a long tradition of elaborate dress style daggers worn with Cossack uniforms and short swords. Their hunting knives are not like the puukkot here next door but there are some influences in materials obviously enough. Unfortunately, I know little or nothing about their Traditional folding knives. I suspect that in Tsarist times there were imports from England & Germany and many artisan made knives. In the Soviet era, small cheap Penknives rather like the cheap mass produced stuff from Sheffield. Today, folders are very Modern and tactical style but with good materials and finish.

Here's a hunting knife in Walnut and the Russian version of Sandvik-good too! Quite heavy and slabby but capable skinner and versatile. It's from Kizlyar knives and is called Sobol. meaning the fur animal Sable.

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herisson said:
draggat draggat You have amazing knives. I especially like the Thiers and even more the Capuchadou. This one is absolutely stunning.

And the Russians make knives with a special flair. I don't know which of their patterns are actually traditional but they sure look and feel "traditional" to me. And I love leather handles...
This one is made by A&R Zlatoust :

8Mk3Wsh.jpg
Click to expand...

Thanks!!
 
draggat draggat Shoot me a PM, I have an interesting dealer (in Europe) which has quite a choice of Russian knives.
 
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Splendid, just splendid ! Possibility of a picture in working position ?
draggat draggat Shoot me a PM, I can provide a link to two retailers (in France) who sell barrel knives currently produced by Jean-Michel Remaud, a French cutler (very true to the original design by J. W. Engström). I just ordered a big one (GM) in ebony... Couldn't resist.
 
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herisson, aka, The PUSHER :D You gotta love someone with good knife connections and great knives. :thumbsup:

Cheers, Ray
 
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