Laguoile: does this look French?

J

johnphoto

Joined
May 14, 2013
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3
Newbie here; I've started collecting Case. I've quickly learned that an old electrician's Kabar that's been my only pocket knife for many years is actually extremely nice! I've bought some Case knives on ebay, including one counterfeit (sent it back; will write it up in a separate thread).

I'm considering buying a Laguiole, pics below. Does anyone recognize the chevron-in-a-flat-oval logo and style of number tang stamp, and the script? I've scoured the forum but haven't found any pix of maker's markings that look like these.

Pro: Seller is French, bought it in the south of France but doesn't know its provenance.
Script looks convincing altho' it's odd that the last L looks like a b.

Con: I saw the chevron logo on the sheath of what has to be a Pakistani Laguiole on ebay. If the knife I'm considering is vintage, the sheath looks awfully new.

Laguiole1.jpg


Laguiole2.jpg


Laguoile3.jpg
 
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I'm COMPLETELY IGNORANT of these knives, though I've admired them from afar for a while. Got to Googling on the topic, and came across one page detailing differences between the 'good ones' and the 'inferior' ones (whether they be legit or not). This picture caught my eye, and seems to single out a knife with features/attributes/flaws very similar to the one you've posted (your pic is linked in 2nd photo below, for comparison):

guidel3.jpg

Laguoile3.jpg


The site also mentions that country of origin must be stamped on the blade, for legit knives. If it's not, I'd be very skeptical.

Here's a link to the site, with more detailed descriptions. If this link is afoul of forum guidelines regarding non-member dealers, my sincere apologies to the mods (remove it if need be). But the article seems pertinent to the OP's posted question:

http://www.laguiole-imports.com/guidelines.htm


David
 
Looks cheaply made, poor fit and finish, and has the unmistakable scent of Pakistan emanating from its pores, figuratively speaking. But I'm no expert on this class of knife.
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
If this link is afoul of forum guidelines regarding non-member dealers, my sincere apologies to the mods (remove it if need be). But the article seems pertinent to the OP's posted question:

David
Click to expand...

I agree with you David.


SAFE.jpg
 
I would stay away from that one, looks like a cheap one, a forged bee/fly spring is ideal, but not necessarily fake or cheap, Laguiole Rossignol made in Theirs are soldered, as are Forge De Laguiole ( if you search hard there are ones from Forge De Laguiole that are forged ) which are made in Laguiole, many cutlers have different levels of quality as in good, better, & best, depending on the price point you are willing to pay ( best being fly/bee forged out of one piece). I personally like En Aubrac Laguioles because the knife is made from start to finish by one person ( cutler ) and the blade will bare his mark. I have a Rossignol with a soldered bee/fly spring that has been used fairly hard in the kitchen, camping and on job sites doing carpentry, it's over 13 years old and still as solid as the day I got it. Look for country of origin it should say France, older one will be made with carbon or 440 steel most cutlers use 12c27,Forge De Laguiole uses their own steel T12, you can find some with damascus and carbon still and some offer a ruff forge. Laguioles are very robust, with very stiff springs with positive lock up if you think GEC's are 10's ,Laguioles are 18-20's not for the faint of heart or weak hands.

Pete
 
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I am not an expert as well, but do own several fine Laguiole's and this one certainly looks like garbage imho.

Steer clear.
 
The logo looks like that of Pradel-France:

http://images-02.delcampe-static.net/img_large/auction/000/074/136/673_001.jpg

http://www.naturabuy.fr/Couteaux-La...offret-prestige-Pradel-France-item-68335.html

Pradel-France seems to offer cheap quality knives with brass bolsters and pakkawood handles, typical for Pakistani made knives.

http://pradel-france.com/product.php?id_product=232

Similar styled pair of large and small pocketknives with the sharpening steel and leather sheath was sold by SMKW in the past, those were made in Pakistan.
The handle scales on the original knife look like they are water buffalo horn, also frequently found on Pakistani made knives.

The knife could have been sold and bought in France, but it looks lake an Asian made knife rather than one made in France.
 
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I have seen both paki and Chinese made laguioles, they were marked as such, but with removable stickers. One had a sheath, none had country of origin, but all,legitimate ones I've seen have country of origin.
 
There is no way a French maker would write "Laguiobe" on his blades...
 
Merci beaucoup, tous le monde. Je ne vais pas acheter le couteau ! Je vais chercher une lame française.
 
Hi John if you need any help sorting out and finding a good Laguiole send me a message, I've done a bit of research on the subject and can steer you in the right direction so you don't get a fake or inferior one.-Pete

Hi Pete (Stitch2442), thanks for message. Although perhaps I might like one with a damascus blade and mammoth handle (in fact any type of knife like that), I don't have 700euros to throw at that itch. I'd like to find a nice used, user knife in the $50 range. I'm looking for a French knife because I'm learning French, am a francophile and enjoy visiting Paris. Really any classic French pocket knife would do; preferably with a non-locking blade under 4" that I can carry in New York City.

Please reply on the board or by email as I can't receive PMs here.
 
Opinel without the locking ring would scratch that itch. If you increase your budget a little, check out nontron.
 
John, Opinel may be the way to go as Owen said, fantastic knives with great value & history, but if your heart is set on something a little more fancy Actiforge may be the way to go, you can order direct from them. Not only Laguiole but other French regional knives.


Pete

Sent you a message with a link.
 
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