Move mouse over map to locate country
 |
|
Have you joined The World Knives Gold Club yet? It's free and you will save
money with deep discounts and discounted shipping for Gold Club items.
|
|
|
|
|
 |
|
French Knives
To see our unique selection of French Knives use the "country" drop down menu to the left and select "France".
Knife making has been a long tradition in France. Probably the best known center of the cutler's craft in France is the town of Thiers. Knife making has been an economic and creative staple in Thiers for more than 400 years.
But the roots of the most famous French knife, the Laguiole (pronounced "Lie-yole") comes from the Thiers neighboring namesake town, Laguiole.
Laguiole is a small mountain town of 1500 residents and lies about 600 kilometers South of Paris. It is known for it's agraculture and cattle, but predominantly for it's cutlery.
At it's beggining the town was built around a small rescue chapel. In fact the origin of the name Laguiole is translated as "La Gleisola" which means little church.
Laguiole is in the Aubrac region in Southern France that is made up of 3 departments: Aveyron, Cantal and Lozčre. These departments meet at a junction marked by a cross called The three Bishops Cross. It was said that sheppards would stick thier knives in the ground at this spot and pray.
The knife that we have come to know as the "Laguiole" was developed starting sometime in the early 1800's. It is said to be inspired by the Spanish Navaja knife which had a distictive pistol grip handle, and was also probably influenced by a French dagger called a capuchado.
The great majority of good quality Laguiole knives are made in Laguiole or the neighboring town of Thiers.
Often people think that Laguiole is the name of a specific knife company. But it refers only to the style of the knife developed in this small town. There are many mediocre or poor quality knife companies (many that are not even French!) who use the name Laguiole only to capitalize on the name and the history. But a knife bearing the Laguiole name should be made in France by hand and be constructed of high quality materials.
There is some disagreement about what constitutes an "authentic" Laguiole knife. But experts do agree a knife bearing the Laguiole name should be made in France by hand and be constructed of high quality materials. There are also some aestetic features that are traditional to this style of knife.
The Laguiole "bee" or "fly"is a small decoration on the spring head which the base of the knife blade folds into in the open position. In the knife makers trade this decoration this part of the spring is called a "fly". So, there is some debate about wether this is a "fly" or a "bee". Either way, it is one of the elements that defines a Laguiole knife. The fly or bee is a more modern aspect of or interprotation of the simple triangle that adorned the original Laguiole knives.
One of the important aspects of a traditional Laguiole knife is what is called the Sheppard's cross, a cross design made with rivets in the handle of the knife honoring the cross mentioned above, marking the junction of the three departments of the Aubrac region.
Look for a knife that has the makers name proudly stamped on the blade. Many of the lower quality knives don't have their name on the blade. Also check that the country of origin is on the blade. If it is not France or absent of a country name it is likely a lower quality knife.
Many of the nicer examples of Laguiole knives have impressive hand file work on the backspring as can be seen on this fine Laguiole from Fontenille-Patuad.
Look for the thickness and solidity of all metal components including massive, and not hollow, bolsters at the tips of the handle. Make sure the manufacturer is using the best possible steel for the blade.
440 steel is widely used and is a good quality steel. Traditionally, though, the most common and preffered steel is Swedish "Sandvik" steel. This is an excellent steel that can attain a razor sharp edge but is not so hard it can't be sharpened. Some producers will also use damascus, a beautifully textured blade material made from numerous layers of steel. This is a very expensive blade material and very desirable among collectors.
Request a complete guarantee allowing you to exchange the product or obtain a full refund. Do business with people that are able and available to answer all of your questions.
These words from one of my distributors of authentic Lagiole knifes are important to consider:
"An interesting, but sorrowful fact, in my opinion, is that in order to fill production quotas based on ever increasing demand, many manufacturers have gone from handcrafting to machine manufacturing. But there is still hope since a small number of dedicated craftshops have resisted this trend and persisited in the purest form of tradition......where a human hand is involved! And, at the same time, not hesitating in using the highest quality materials available in a modern society."
We represent a growing number of Laguiole knives. We guarantee that our Laguiole-Elite, Theirs, Cottellerie Chambriard and Fontenille-Pataud knives are all handmade and of the highest quality.
In addition to Laguiole style knives there are several knives that are traditional to France and reflect its history. Take a look at our growing selection of knives from Fontenille-Pataud. They specialize in several styles of traditional French knives like the Auberac, Vendetta, Roquefort and Yssingeaux.
In addition the knives of Cottellerie Chambriard are a modern twist on traditional French style. They are highlighted by modern lines and form. They have an elegant simplicity. There petite model is the perfect size and shape to disappear into your pocket. And it is sure to be the center of attention when you pull it out of your pocket!
We are always on the "look out" for unusual cutlery from all the corners of the globe. If you have a collection of new, used or antique knives please get in touch with us. We are always buying!
We are glad to hear from you about your unique knives. Laguiole's are a good example of a high quality import knife. Laguiole is one of the the finest knife France has to offer. They are like no others and will always have a special place on our web site. We love French knives.
If you have any questions please contact us at:
WORLD KNIVES, LTD.
2103 HARRISON AVE. NW, STE. 2-646
OLYMPIA WA 98502-2607
Toll Free: 866-862-5233
E-mail us at: info@worldknives.com
French Knives |
|
- A Few Words about Spyderco Knives
- Knives and Golfclubs – Weapons?
- Customer Satisfaction
- 1906 Solingen Metalworker Photo
- Blade Geometry by Joe Talamadge
- Blade Steel Guide
- Bowie Knives
- Chambriard 1715 Amourette Thiers Knife - Thiers, France
- Contact and Shipping Information
- Culinary Knives
- Custom Knives
- Daggers
- Design and Geometry
- Deutsches Klingenmuseum (German Blade Museum)
- Down Under Knives - THE OUTBACK!
- Folding Hunters of Solingen, Germany – Gottlieb Hammesfahr Co.
- Fontenille-Pataud
- Free Gift Wrapping!
- French Knives
- Gift Ideas
- Guaranteed Delivery By Christmas 2011
- Hartkopf Catalog - Solingen, Germany
- Hartkopf One Blade Buffalo Horn Pocket Knife - Solingen, Germany
- History of Solingen: Part I
- History of Solingen: Part II
- How To Sharpen Your Wood Carving Knives
- Hunting Knives
- I Buy Knives
- IISAKKI JARVENPAA KNIVES OF FINLAND
- Imported Knives
- Italian Knives
- J.A. Henckels 1903 – Solingen, Germany
- Japanese Knives
- Joker Knives
- Knife Care by Jay Fisher
- Knife History Documentary | The Solingen Project | World Knives
- Knife Links
- Knife Sharpening and Theory by Steve Bottorff
- Knife Sharpening Tips by Jay Talmadge
- Knife Tips
- Knives
- Knives of Solingen, Germany
- Kubotans By CK Kubotan
- Laguiole Knives
- Linder Knives
- LINDER SOLINGEN, GERMANY - Carl Linder Nachf.
- Linder Steel Types Chart
- Maserin Ivo Sedazzari Steak Knives - Cutting Edge Italian Design
- Mercury Knives
- Miniature knives
- Money Back Guarantee
- Mora Knives Knife Care Information
- Mushroom Knives
- My Favorite Knife Steels
- News
- News
- News
- News
- Nontron Navette No. 38 Pocket Knife - France
- Nontron Steak Knives - Best Price - Black, Boxwood, Cocobolo & Rainbow - Made in France.
- Okapi Knives
- Olamic Cutlery - Fine Russian Damascus Knives
- Old German Knife Forging Technique – Hartkopf
- Pocket Knives
- Rheinisches Industriemuseum
- Scandinavian Knives
- Secure On Line Ordering
- Sheffield Knives
- Short Schrade History and Collectors Suggestion
- Spanish Knives
- Stag Knives
- Steels Used By Knife Makers
- The Knife: Primary Form of Art, Culture and Design – Proliferation of Use
- The Knife: Primary Form of Art, Culture and Design
- THE KUBOTAN: BASIC TECHNIQUE
- The Perfect Gift
- THE SOLINGEN PROJECT
- Types of Steel
- Unique Knives
- Vintage Knives
- Vintage Pocket Knives
- Viper Knives by Technocut - A Short History of Maniago
- Yatagan French Knives
Argentina
- Asia
- Cambodia
- El Salvador
- England
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- India
- Indonesia
- Italy
- Japan
- Nepal
- Norway
- Russia
- South Africa
- Spain
- Sweden
- Turkey
- United States
- Various
Antonini Knives
- Boker
- Brusletto
- Chambriard
- Citadel
- CK Kubotan
- Down Under Knives
- Eickhorn
- EKA Knives
- Fontenille-Pataud
- Forge De Laguiole
- German Bull
- Hartkopf Knives
- Hattori
- Helle
- Hen & Rooster
- Herbertz
- HIRO & IC.CUT
- Hubertus
- Iisakki
- J.A. Henckels
- Joker
- Kappetijn Knives
- Khukuri
- Kizlyar
- Linder
- Lion Steel
- Maruyoshi
- Maserin
- MCusta
- Mercator
- Mercury
- Miguel Nieto
- Mora Frosts
- Muela
- Myerchin
- Nontron
- Okapi
- Olamic Cutlery
- Opinel
- Other Knives
- Puma
- Rapala
- Ros Arms
- Roselli
- Sheffield Knives
- Spyderco
- Taylor's Eye Witness
- Therias et L Econome
- Vintage Knives
- Viper
- Wichards
- Zayka Knives
|
|
|
|
|
