Recommendation? Which of these knives?

[Tiny@150cm]

Hello!

I'm rather new to knives, except for the few I have in my kitchen...

The reason I'm looking into knives now, is that I'm studying abroad in France. I was looking into something I could buy as a memory, but something that I could actually use (most souvenirs I've bought just gather dust on the shelves).

My host family has suggested I buy a pocket knife originating from the region that I'm currently staying at, and recommended a brand. It seems like a great idea to me, and some of the knives I've seen are just beautiful.

I'd probably use it for meals, or opening the occasional package/letter. I wouldn't use it for any heavy work and such. It'd be part of my EDC, I guess?

The part that's troubling me though, is with how much I'd be spending, I want to make a good choice. I've been looking through the website of the knife maker they recommended (Fontenille-Pataud), and there's so many different models, and customization options, I have no idea where to even start! My host dad however, has recommended the Thiers knife.

I probably would have a price limit of maximum 200 euros, maybe a bit more if I think it'll be worth it.

So, if anyone could help me out, I'd really, really, appreciate it!

Thanks!

 

[Railsplitter]

I know very little about French made knives but you are going to get some great suggestions. Having said that, if you are anywhere near Auxerre, France there is a little shop there that has some nice knives.

My friend and fellow member, Jolipapa, helped me get this Special Factory Order knife from that very shop in Auxerre. I really like it and it's very unique to me as I don't speak French and the shop has no website.

 

[Will Power]

Fontenille-Pataud are very high quality in my experience. They have a large amount of options, not just in Laguioles but in other patterns too. I particularly like their XS locking Laguiole, smaller-9cm- than the usual Lag so better in the pocket but still an excellent food knife.

It depends on what catches your fancy though. Take a careful look through their catalogue and choose what suits you, think of size and materials-all their knives are excellent, no question.

I was hoping to get another Fontenille-Pataud XS as a Christmas present to myself, ordered in good time but the Christmas post rush sabotaged that. Waited in all day yesterday 22nd then had to go off to see a friend. Returned home this afternoon to find a slip of paper saying the courier had tried to deliver at 17.00 19.30 and 21.00 Now it's in a depot I can't locate and can't get it until Tuesday. HORROR!!

 

[Txjohn]

I have no experience with French knives either . I know opinel is poplar here and affordable. I looked at fontenille-Patard website. I like their Laquiile traditional 13cm classic in range real horn tip or pistachio wood .
Another ideal, trade one of your French friends / stranger's knife (why not?) for something American made

 

[mrknife]

wouldnt say no to a neat Laguiole

 

[Lapedog]

There are many great French knives, traditional knives. The three best known are probably the Opinel, Douk Douk and Laguiole. Depending on where you go in historic France the knives could resemble Spanish or Italian knives.

If you go to google and search “thiers knives” you will find many different styles from different companies and forges and you can narrow down what you want.

Thiers is France’s cutlery city, much like Solingen in Germany or Seki in Japan. Many countries have these “cutlery cities” because of the way industry was organized in the past.

 

[Jolipapa]

My host family has suggested I buy a pocket knife originating from the region that I'm currently staying at

Though Laguioles are good representatives of the French cutlery, there are many other patterns and being a student you may find FP a bit upmarket for your purse, so it might be a good idea to tell where you are, that would help the choice of pattern related to the region.
There are great probabilities you find a shop selling knives around, just beware such makes as le Bougnat, Baladeo or even "Laguiole" (but no Made in France stamp on the blade/tang) they are made in Asia and you find them everywhere alas.

 

[JTB_5]

There are lots of great regional French knives that are beautiful and functional. There are also a lot of modern interpretations of traditional French knives that are superb. Fontinelle Pataud is a higher end maker. I own two Perceval knives that are also great (l-08 and Le Francais).

Less expensive are Chambriard, which makes very nice Le Thiers models and Au Sabot, which are very economical but with good materials (I have a Garronais with the Occitan cross shield that is a great user).

If you are in France and can go there, make a trip to Thiers and check out the knifemakers there!

 

[Tiny@150cm]

Having said that, if you are anywhere near Auxerre, France there is a little shop there that has some nice knives.

My friend and fellow member, Jolipapa, helped me get this Special Factory Order knife from that very shop in Auxerre. I really like it and it's very unique to me as I don't speak French and the shop has no website.
View attachment 818176
View attachment 818177
View attachment 818178

Though Laguioles are good representatives of the French cutlery, there are many other patterns and being a student you may find FP a bit upmarket for your purse, so it might be a good idea to tell where you are, that would help the choice of pattern related to the region.
There are great probabilities you find a shop selling knives around, just beware such makes as le Bougnat, Baladeo or even "Laguiole" (but no Made in France stamp on the blade/tang) they are made in Asia and you find them everywhere alas.

Thank you for the advice! I am just about half an hour away from Thiers, which is part of the reason why my host dad had recommended the 'le Thiers' knife for me. As for Auxerre, unfortunately, its much farther than Thiers. I don't think I'll have the opportunity to go there I'll definitely watch out for Asian factory made knives If I end up buying from Fontenille-Pataud, I'm hoping I'll be able to afford one of their knives that use less expensive material (my price limit is around 200 euros), though I'll check out other companies/brands that are recommended!

Fontenille-Pataud are very high quality in my experience. They have a large amount of options, not just in Laguioles but in other patterns too. I particularly like their XS locking Laguiole, smaller-9cm- than the usual Lag so better in the pocket but still an excellent food knife.

It depends on what catches your fancy though. Take a careful look through their catalogue and choose what suits you, think of size and materials-all their knives are excellent, no question.

I was hoping to get another Fontenille-Pataud XS as a Christmas present to myself, ordered in good time but the Christmas post rush sabotaged that. Waited in all day yesterday 22nd then had to go off to see a friend. Returned home this afternoon to find a slip of paper saying the courier had tried to deliver at 17.00 19.30 and 21.00 Now it's in a depot I can't locate and can't get it until Tuesday. HORROR!!

It's really unfortunate that you weren't able to retrieve your knife until Tuesday... Hopefully you have it now! I'l check out the ones you've mentioned, and try checking through their selection a few more times! I'm still quite indecisive though

There are many great French knives, traditional knives. The three best known are probably the Opinel, Douk Douk and Laguiole. Depending on where you go in historic France the knives could resemble Spanish or Italian knives.

If you go to google and search “thiers knives” you will find many different styles from different companies and forges and you can narrow down what you want.

Thiers is France’s cutlery city, much like Solingen in Germany or Seki in Japan. Many countries have these “cutlery cities” because of the way industry was organized in the past.

I'll definitely keep an eye out the knives you mentioned! I do hope that I'll be able to find a knife that is relative to my region though As for the Thiers knife, I've been looking into the design that Fontenille-Pataud has, 'Le Thiers', since Thiers is quite close to where I live, and I'd like a knife that originated there, or near it!

There are lots of great regional French knives that are beautiful and functional. There are also a lot of modern interpretations of traditional French knives that are superb. Fontinelle Pataud is a higher end maker. I own two Perceval knives that are also great (l-08 and Le Francais).

Less expensive are Chambriard, which makes very nice Le Thiers models and Au Sabot, which are very economical but with good materials (I have a Garronais with the Occitan cross shield that is a great user).

If you are in France and can go there, make a trip to Thiers and check out the knifemakers there!

Thank you for the recommendations! I'll check out the Perceval and Chambriard websites when I have the chance Luckily, I'll be able to make a day trip to Thiers soon, and buy a knife in person! I do hope to receive recommendations through this forum though, since I'm quite new to knives, and I'm not quite sure what would be a good choice for myself.

 

[JTB_5]

Recommendations will be better if you have some features you are interested in, such as size of the knife, blade shape, type of lock, what you want to use it for, etc. If you aren’t sure about those, then getting some in your hands first and then asking questions will serve you well. Enjoy your time in France! It is a place I’ve wanted to go for some time but have not been able to visit. Feel free to share pictures of the scenery (along with the knife you choose, of course).

 

[Jolipapa]

"Luckily, I'll be able to make a day trip to Thiers soon, and buy a knife in person!"
That's an excellent idea, but beware, there is a lot of shops selling knives! Maybe it is better to take your time a have a go around townbefore deciding and always check the MiF!

 

[JTB_5]

Le Thiers knives have to get guild approval to carry the stamp “Le Thiers” so that’s probably a safe choice if you are interested in an authentic traditional pattern.

 

[Dirk D]

Thank you for the advice! I am just about half an hour away from Thiers, which is part of the reason why my host dad had recommended the 'le Thiers' knife for me. As for Auxerre, unfortunately, its much farther than Thiers. I don't think I'll have the opportunity to go there I'll definitely watch out for Asian factory made knives If I end up buying from Fontenille-Pataud, I'm hoping I'll be able to afford one of their knives that use less expensive material (my price limit is around 200 euros), though I'll check out other companies/brands that are recommended!



It's really unfortunate that you weren't able to retrieve your knife until Tuesday... Hopefully you have it now! I'l check out the ones you've mentioned, and try checking through their selection a few more times! I'm still quite indecisive though



I'll definitely keep an eye out the knives you mentioned! I do hope that I'll be able to find a knife that is relative to my region though As for the Thiers knife, I've been looking into the design that Fontenille-Pataud has, 'Le Thiers', since Thiers is quite close to where I live, and I'd like a knife that originated there, or near it!



Thank you for the recommendations! I'll check out the Perceval and Chambriard websites when I have the chance Luckily, I'll be able to make a day trip to Thiers soon, and buy a knife in person! I do hope to receive recommendations through this forum though, since I'm quite new to knives, and I'm not quite sure what would be a good choice for myself.

Also my advice: go to Thiers and take your time strolling around in the city. BTW: the "Le Thiers" pattern is a relatively modern pattern (AFAIK from 1975). It was the reaction of the Thiers Knifemakers to the wave of imported Asian Laguiole Knives because in the past the knifemakers of Laguiole missed the chance of protecting this name and pattern by a sort of patent letter or so. The Thiers knifemakers did so with the Le Thiers pattern and so every knife with this name has to be produced in Thiers. And further on there´s a jury of knifemakers which decides, which knife is worth to represend their town and to carry this name. Not every knife passes the exams ;-) So a "Le Thiers" will be a good choise in any way