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Laguiole Knives

K

kidwholaughs

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
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1,189
Hey Guys,

I think I am going to hit a high in knife spending this year. :D I am branching out a little to see what the traditional French knives has to offer. Seems that there are some really nice Lagioules knives being made in Thiers. The price, considering the work put in to them, is also good.

Does anyone know who are the best knife company for about 100-200 dollar range? Do they all use the 12c27?

What is distinction between the knives of Fontenille-Pataud and Forge de Laguiole?

Thanks

God Bless
 
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> What is distinction between the knives of Fontenille-Pataud and Forge de Laguiole?

I would rate these two and Laguiole en Aubrac as more or less similar in quality, being among the better laguioles ont he market. Forge has some interesting special models, and on average I have the impression that Pataud is just a bit slicker than the other two. That's an "on average" observation, if you'd see them in a shop I think your preference could go either way. But next to the classic slipjoints Pataud also offers a splendid gentlemen laguiole and a backlock laguiole. I discuss both in my youtube review.

Next to laguiole, you owe it to yourself to try a Nontron and a Perceval, and even then there are so many other suave knives being made in France.

> Do they all use the 12c27?
Many do use 12C27 indeed. It works very well for its intended usage. If a blade says for example 440C then it's possibly made in Spain. Some use carbon steel.
 
Thanks Dagon, your videos are really good. I especially enjoyed your videos of traditional knives.

Does your Fontenille-Pataud Laguiole Nature have steel bolsters?

I read some where that the Forge uses T12 steel. I have never heard of it. Is it like 12c27?

God Bless
 
Today I received a Jean Dubost Laguiole for which I paid some $120. I bought it based on a link I found in this forum.

The initial presentation of the box and pouch is striking. But the moment you have the knife in your hand it is a totally different story. Mostly, it is a poorly put together knife with many "issues". There are significant gaps between the wood (olive) scales and the frame. There are gaps between the bolsters and the liners. The blade pin is poorly concealed and there are pits around the pin. The blade "walks" poorly and roughly. The blade is not sharp. But the worst issue is that the edge of the blade hits the back spring; so there is no way to keep this knife sharp.

I do NOT recommend anyone to buy this knife.

I wish I could post pictures here but I can't.
 
> Does your Fontenille-Pataud Laguiole Nature have steel bolsters?

Mine have a steel bolster at the blade side of the handle, not at the end. But I have an Aubrac with bolsters at both sides. Fontenille Pataud makes several variations. Browse here and drool !

> I read some where that the Forge uses T12 steel. I have never heard of it. Is it like 12c27?

I don't know either.

> But the moment you have the knife in your hand it is a totally different story. Mostly, it is a poorly put together knife with many "issues". There are significant gaps between the wood (olive) scales and the frame. There are gaps between the bolsters and the liners. The blade pin is poorly concealed and there are pits around the pin. The blade "walks" poorly and roughly. The blade is not sharp.

Can you send it back? To me that's unacceptable for the price. I have a $15 chinese (!) laguiole that has none of these issues. With Fontenille-Pataud you'll never have this kind of issues. They open buttery-smooth as well.

> But the worst issue is that the edge of the blade hits the back spring; so there is no way to keep this knife sharp.

Now that is a traditional "feature" of the laguiole design, and Pataud solved this for at least their backlocking laguiole variants - the blade won't touch the back spring (don't know about their non-locking ones). Many laguioles, even several good ones, still must be closed with care - I think that's too much respect for tradition if a maker copies even the design errors of the past! Some laguiole owners put a kind of thin rubber piece inside the knife for this reason.
 
Dagon said:
> What is distinction between the knives of Fontenille-Pataud and Forge de Laguiole?

I would rate these two and Laguiole en Aubrac as more or less similar in quality, being among the better laguioles ont he market. Forge has some interesting special models, and on average I have the impression that Pataud is just a bit slicker than the other two. That's an "on average" observation, if you'd see them in a shop I think your preference could go either way. But next to the classic slipjoints Pataud also offers a splendid gentlemen laguiole and a backlock laguiole. I discuss both in my youtube review.

Next to laguiole, you owe it to yourself to try a Nontron and a Perceval, and even then there are so many other suave knives being made in France.

> Do they all use the 12c27?
Many do use 12C27 indeed. It works very well for its intended usage. If a blade says for example 440C then it's possibly made in Spain. Some use carbon steel.
Click to expand...

Well said mate!

In regards to steel, if you are buying from dealer tou will probably come across 12c27 or 440. If you have 1 made a bit more choice.
Fontinelle has upgrade on a few of their models to RWL34. While a couple of others like chambriard give you the otion of XC75 carbon steel, which I haven't tried.

Good luck.
mitch
 
Best folding knives in the world are being made in the US by a few giants, Tony Bose being one of them. Anything else seems like crap in comparison.
 
Dagon,

Some of the FP knives are beautifully done. I like the variety of handle shapes. What is the awl on the Laguiole? It's always in the product description. But I don't recall seeing it. The FP's I have seen cost about 1 and half times more than the F d Laguiole, 160 to 100 for the knives I want. I read that T12 is similar to 440A. The may account for the price. FP does seem to have better quality. I really like the SS bolster and end caps. Steel bolsters are a favorite custom slipjoint makers of the US.

God Bless
 
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mendezj said:
Best folding knives in the world are being made in the US by a few giants, Tony Bose being one of them. Anything else seems like crap in comparison.
Click to expand...

M,
I would really consider getting your money back PLUS shipping. Sounds like you got a lemon.

God Bless
 
mitch13 said:
Well said mate!

Fontinelle has upgrade on a few of their models to RWL34. While a couple of others like chambriard give you the otion of XC75 carbon steel.

Good luck.
mitch
Click to expand...
\

I'm unfamiliar with both of those steels. Does anyone have any information on them. Fontinelle advertises RWL34 at 60-61 Rockwell. Based on just the numbers, I'd guess RWS34 is like ATS34 adn XC75 like 1075.
 
I believe that Forge de Laguiole is the only manufacturer actually in the town of Laguiole. Those that I have seen from them being sold are mainly the lower range. I have 2 of these. Although the lower end, you still get a choice out of a variety of handle materials and they are very nicely made and finished knives but IMO more of a user grade. I have not actually seen one of their higher end ones.

I have a Fontenille Pataud as well, this one is their "hand filed special" grade. This one is close to a custom slipjoint with very nice and well executed filework on the backspring and liners. From what I have seen, Fontenille Pataud does not appear to make a user grade, even their lower range knives are very nicely made.

If you want a nice showy Laguiole, I would recommend Fontenille Pataud "hand filed special" grade.

Both are within your budget.

One thing to watch out for is that traditional European makers run their steel a bit soft for ease of sharpening, rather than what we are used to seeing in US made knives.
 
> What is the awl on the Laguiole? It's always in the product description

Some laguioles have an awl instead of a corkscrew which you can also find sometimes/
I don't have one with an awl (nor with a corkscrew)

I can really recommend the FP backlock laguiole, these are incredibly smooth.
 
Forge de Laguiole is not the only maker in the town of Laguiole. I had one from La Coutellerie de Laguiole, they are made there. Laguiole en Aubrac I'm not sure of, at any rate their location should be quite nearby. And as far as I know, there are also other cutlers in the town who have their own small businesses.

Obviously it's a competition in the lines of "Ours are more original than any others", but as the laguiole knife concept is not trademarked or registered, it's fair game for all. No such thing as one true original maker.
 
Dagon said:
> What is the awl on the Laguiole? It's always in the product description

Some laguioles have an awl instead of a corkscrew which you can also find sometimes/
I don't have one with an awl (nor with a corkscrew)

I can really recommend the FP backlock laguiole, these are incredibly smooth.
Click to expand...


Dagon,

Thanks for your answers. I think a traditional Laguiole from FP will be on my list. I have decided to get the Chambriard. :)

God Bless
 
Well, this is just swell. Now I've got to have a Perceval to go with my Laguiole, Opinel, Douk-Douk and Nontron. Can anybody tell me what Perceval quality is like?

Sheesh. I log on and automatically my wallet gets a bit lighter...
 
Skookumchuk said:
Well, this is just swell. Now I've got to have a Perceval to go with my Laguiole, Opinel, Douk-Douk and Nontron. Can anybody tell me what Perceval quality is like?

Sheesh. I log on and automatically my wallet gets a bit lighter...
Click to expand...

Look at Dagon's videos carefully. He also has a review of the knife. It looks like Spyderco or Benchmade quality. However, the edge and the thin pivot pin limits it it's lateral strength.

God Bless
 
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