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Another knife thread

I was looking for a knife thread to post this into, but the 'what knife is in your pocket today' thread wasn't quite right, and there are lots of kitchen knife threads and how to sharpen or 'Vash will stop kidding himself, he can't sharpen' or 'Vash thinks he just cracked the sharpening code' or whatever threads, but not a random/cool/interesting knife thread.

This article is the main reason that I started this thread.
BBC - Travel - Europeâ€™s surprising knife capital

http://ichef.bbci.co.uk/wwfeatures/w...v/p0513vzh.jpg

about the first half of the article

Quote:

Walking into one of the knife boutiques in the French town of Thiers was like walking into a watch store in Switzerland. There were so many dazzling choices: rare folding knives with real mammoth-tooth handles and hand-forged Damascus steel blades that sell for thousands of euros beside handsome pocket knives and hunting knives priced anywhere between €50 to €500. I was a kid in a candy store.

Thiers is widely known among those of us afflicted with chronic knife-geekery as the European capital of fine, locally made folding knives. That’s why I had come. My thing is artisanal pocket knives with a corkscrew. The corkscrew requirement helps restrict my knife-purchasing urges that might otherwise spiral out of control, and makes the knife a more practiced accomplice in my joie de vivre. I never leave home without choosing a knife from my little collection and dropping it in my pocket. And I never miss a chance to use it, even if it means ridiculously cutting the top off a banana.

I’d been drawn to this small Auvergne town (population 11,600) by its long history of craftsmanship. Knives were being made here at least as far back as the 15th Century, and probably as early as the 13th, according to the ancient grindstones found just below town by the Durolle River, which powered the mill paddlewheels.

And knives have been made here ever since. In fact, the man showing me the knife in his shop, his fingertips cracked and blackened, had made many of them himself.

Dominique Chambriard, wearing a traditional blue workman’s tunic, proudly led me to a version of the area’s iconic knife, ‘Le Thiers’, which was designed in 1993, when the Confrerie du Couteau Le Thiers (Brotherhood of the Thiers Knife) was set up to make a knife distinctive to their town. Fifteen local master knife-makers (including Chambriard), over a period of months, designed a simple, subtle, organic design for ‘Le Thiers’, based on ideas from their 16th-Century guild forefathers.

We had two priorities: beautiful, simple design, and excellent function,” Chambriard told me in French.

Today, the proof of those priorities is evident in the many subtle variations – perhaps a proportionally longer blade or embellished handle *– upon the approved graceful design. These fine modern folding knives are assembled usually by one artisan, mostly by hand, using a hammer, metal snips and electric belt grinders and polishers.

Currently, there are more than 200 coutelleries, family-owned knife workshops, in the Brotherhood, including Coutellerie Robert-David, which has been operating under different family names since 1919. The shop offers a variety of knives in many styles, including a version of the iconic Le Thiers.

Some random images of related blades from the 'Net
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6...54d587c4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6...f0bdf1ec_b.jpg

http://www.jeandubost.com/data/catal...9519524db4.png

I was watching some episodes of either Mind of a Chef or Chef's Table the other day and saw someone use an Opinel which I was only familiar with because of the many mentions here on the board.

This is my current daily knife. Nice and light, thin, strong, sharp.

https://images-na.ssl-images-amazon....1lEq8w9StL.jpg

Cool article & beautiful knives. I've been using this one on the top a lot lately - razor sharp, although I'm careful about damaging it. If there's a chance for damage, I use the el cheapo on the bottom. I have to control my compunction to buy beautiful knives.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493846899.JPG

Read the same article and I want Le Thiers now! Laguiole knives also comes from Thiers, which is as ubiquitous on dinner tables as an Opinel on a picnic table. I have a bog standard Opinel No.8 Inox which I typically use for foodstuff when camping - Victorinox Camper (what else?) for everything else. But I think we can consolidate it down to an Opinel No.10 Tire-bouchon, same setup as the author's choice in the article. We've learned that "camping" in Europe is not quite the same as camping in Canada. All we really need is the blade for the baguette, saucisson, cheese and the corkscrew for the wine!

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493846880.jpg
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493846974.jpg

Damn. I used to like my non-corkscrew l'opinel until you showed me that.

I have one of those Osborne's too, nice carry.

I need to take some pictures

Quote:

Originally Posted by Won (Post 9574462)

Read the same article and I want Le Thiers now! Laguiole knives also comes from Thiers, which is as ubiquitous on dinner tables

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493846880.jpg

TJ Maxx household / clothing retailer sells these -in the gift box set from a low $19 to a high $29. Have seen them in variety wood handle and plastic.

As always, Lee Valley has a nice selection of good quality 'stuff' and reasonable prices....

The Laguiole Knife - Lee Valley Tools

Knives - Lee Valley Tools - Woodworking Tools, Gardening Tools, Hardware Supplies

i almost choked when i picked up a Laguiole cork screw..the knives? no way..very grey poupon for me. those define "gentleman's knife" which i gathered is a knife that wont freak out the knife sensitive folks at the country club. i'd break that thing :D

Quote:

Originally Posted by masraum (Post 9574415)

Some random images of related blades from the 'Net
http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7060/6...54d587c4_b.jpg

http://farm8.staticflickr.com/7195/6...f0bdf1ec_b.jpg

Aw crap... I'm in trouble!

This place is such a bad influnce!!!

:D:p:D;)

Man, those are such beautiful knives !!! I wonder why I don't have the same reaction to most painting, sculptures, etc.

What are some of the decent "el cheapos"?

An almost free knife sharpener. This guy is good.

<iframe width="560" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5H5Xw44SRxU" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe>

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jeff Higgins (Post 9574712)

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493861074.JPG
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1493861074.JPG

That's a beautiful knife!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 9575801)

What are some of the decent "el cheapos"?

fixed or folding?

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 9575801)

What are some of the decent "el cheapos"?

I got this Knife for my birthday - really like it. I sharpened the blade first thing, and it's my go to knife in the garage now.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Amail (Post 9576983)

I got this Knife for my birthday - really like it. I sharpened the blade first thing, and it's my go to knife in the garage now.

I have JavaScript disabled for this site...didn't see any pic, but I do see the link when I quoted you :). I need a decent folding knife...figure I can't go wrong with a Buck...have some small older pocket knives...need something larger....you guys :(....:)!

Quote:

Originally Posted by KC911 (Post 9575801)

What are some of the decent "el cheapos"?

I really like my Kershaws--the made in USA ones. I got mine for about $60 at Cabella's. It is wicked sharp and holds its edge pretty well. I have some pretty nice Gerbers in about that same price range, but I find they don't hold an edge as well.

I carry a folder all the time--when I have to fly, I feel naked without them.

Now you're talkin' "gentleman's pocket knife"...one of Laguiole's folders.
$145 from them, $69 on sale thru R. Redford's Sundance catalog 25 years ago.
2 3/4" closed.
I thought I'd use it as a pocket knife but it's too pretty for that...it lives in my jewelry box.
I also have one of their bread knives that I use.

I own three Opinel knives. One is a filet knife that I keep on a magnetic strip in the kitchen, use it off/on...well balanced and keeps an edge.

.
My Laguiole >>>
.
http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494031071.jpg

This is an extremely interesting article on Bob Kramer knives.

Sharper - The New Yorker

Pure porn here:
Bob Kramer | Kramer Knives - Folding Knives

He's a Seattle boy, too.;)

Top of my list is the German made classic Boker 712 Tree Brand lever automatic. No longer made.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494036285.jpg

^^^
Used market prices for those range from $325 - $450.

My personal favorite (for the moment)

Mcusta Damascus blade and hammered scales

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494037891.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcorgi (Post 9577108)

I really like my Kershaws--the made in USA ones. I got mine for about $60 at Cabella's. It is wicked sharp and holds its edge pretty well. ...

That works for me...thanks!

Basic, came with my tool box. Dadz day gift many moons ago.

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494156674.jpg

Quote:

Originally Posted by TimT (Post 9577484)

My personal favorite (for the moment)

Mcusta Damascus blade and hammered scales

http://forums.pelicanparts.com/uploa...1494037891.jpg

Very nice!

After some of the other threads where Opinel knives were raved about, I decided to buy one. I got a No 10 in carbon steel. Heck, it was only $14 on Amazon, so why not. I like the fact that it locks closed and open and the fact that they seem to have just about any size a person could want from 3cm up to 15cm and even 22cm.

I had no idea at the range of knives made by these folks. If you go to their website

You'll see the vast range of knives from 1.5" bladed keychains up to 9" bladed folders, most in stainless and carbon, many/most in a variety of handle materials from various woods, custom laminated or inlaid wood, buffalo horn, and a variety of colors.

slim line in ebony
https://www.opinel-usa.com/sites/def...10_ebene_1.jpg

The Carbon collection (every size of Carbon steel folder)
https://www.opinel-usa.com/sites/def...ne_carbone.jpg

Sigh, pretty sure I'll end up with more of these.

Do they have a knife with a long enough blade that Jihady can use for beheadings?

Quote:

Originally Posted by tabs (Post 9579535)

Do they have a knife with a long enough blade that Jihady can use for beheadings?

I'm pretty sure you could manage that with the No 13 which has a 22cm blade. That's about 9". Thanks for asking. Don't forget to take your meds.

The Opinel didn't come super sharp, but I'm sure it will take a good edge, and I'm sure it would do the trick for a $14 knife.

Carbon Opinel knives get sharp, and then some.

I have a 6 and 8, very useful. I use it for everything from opening letters to cutting fruit. Hard to beat for the $$.

Damn you guys. I just bought two off Amazon.

Yeah, some of these ( ^ and v )make me wish I was more creative, or at least more willing to spend the time.

I really like this one, but it would probably get dirt in the grooves that was hard to clean.
https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...f53486b9f2.jpg

https://www.couteaux-berthier.com/bo...tourne6d-z.jpg

http://www.couteaux-berthier.com/bou...ocampe1d-z.jpg

https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com...27ddf7517d.jpg

I'm not normally a bone, horn, antler type of guy, but some of these are pretty cool too.
https://www.couteaux-berthier.com/bo...d8bdc231-z.jpg

http://i35.servimg.com/u/f35/17/45/69/42/10vri_10.jpg

I took one of my Gerber folders to England last year. We stayed with a friend, and one day while we were out in London I happened to pull it out of my pocket for something. He kind of turned pale and told me it was illegal in England, and that I better not let anyone see it. I later was talking to a bobby and asked him about knives, and he said any blade that could be opened with one hand (like almost all of my blades) was considered an illegal offensive weapon. Interesting.

Quote:

Originally Posted by madcorgi (Post 9580225)

Yep, knives are illegal in addition to guns over there. I'm pretty sure they are going for scissors and pointy sticks next.

I carry a pocket knife daily and have for many years. I think the blades ranged from about 2 7/8" to just about 4".

carried one just like this for a couple of years until I realized it was too small for cutting lemons and limes when I was bartending. I think the blade is 2 7/8". It's been sharpened so much that the blade is smaller now. Also sent it to Benchmade once because the handle had a stripped screw. It came back a completely new knife except the blade and with the blade sharpened.
Benchmade Leopard Cub with ATS-34 steel blade.
http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d1...psec1d9183.jpg

carried for about 3 years when I was a bartender. It cut many lemons and limes and boxes. ~4" blade. fairly big pocket knife, but if you've got the pockets, it's an awesome knife and carries like a smaller knife.
Benchmade AFCK with ATS-34 steel blade.
http://i813.photobucket.com/albums/z...572_resize.jpg

This was my first auto knife, Benchmade Mini Reflex. It's a bit too small for my hands. I'd have loved a non-mini version, but I don't know that they ever made one.
http://www.benchmade.com/media/catal...y_310x1000.jpg

This is my newest auto, Benchmade AFO II. It's pretty beefy.
http://www.heavenlyswords.com/images...uto_Knife1.jpg

I used to daily carry one of these, which was a limited edition. It's showing some wear, but is/was a great knife. Benchmade Osbourne 940 in red.
https://images.knifecenter.com/thumb...s/BM960RED.jpg

They've all been liner locks or something that could be opened and closed with one hand. I've got a couple of auto knives, but don't carry them. Honestly, they aren't any (or noticably) faster to open than my other knives, and are more of a pain to close. They are also bulkier and not as convenient to carry.

I've got more knives, like a Benchmade Stryker with the Tanto blade and G10 scales. It's a great knife. I've carried or used them all at least a couple of times. I've also got some old stuff, like Kershaw, Gerber, buck, etc... from when I was young and couldn't afford/justify spending more than $30-40 for a knife.