The Best Le Thiers Knife?

The Le Thiers knife was my gateway into French cutlery. You can't go wrong with Chambriard. They are slip joints with a transitional spring, weighted heavier on the opening snap and close. They also have the year of manufacture on the butt end. These are the most common ones available in the US and have a decent build quality, although I'm not sure where you are located?

Perceval knives are excellent quality, but they are also much more modern and their le Thiers has a liner lock. Fontenille Pataud is outstanding as well, with a lock back.

My personal favorites are the Cognet versions which come in two sizes and feature a slip joint mechanism with a half stop. Only the large version is available with bolsters and it is a bit on the heavy side. File work on these typically only shows up on the fancier, more expensive models. Ordering direct from them was a pleasant experience.

I have some by Goyon-Chazeau but I would not recommend them. Both of mine have build quality issues.... one came with the blade sitting 1/4" proud when closed and the other has a handle pin that was ground too far causing the handle to make a pop sound when squeezed.

Some photos.... Unfortunately I no longer have the Fontenille Pataud and my Perceval knives are different models. The laguiole is 11cm closed but keep in mind that sometimes the lengths appear different in these comparison photos. Best to look at the measurements of each knife independently.

20230428_183847~2.jpg20230428_184127~2.jpg20230428_184236~2.jpg

Good luck!
 
Forgot to mention, you can leave me a visitor message on my profile page with your email address if you need a list of European dealers. I've ordered from many different ones, but the rules of the forum state that we can't post them here unless they have a 'dealer membership' on bladeforums
 
For me most of these French designs look like I sound when trying to speak French, just kind of awkward with no flow.
 
As usual, I agree with draggat draggat . Chambriard le compact is an excellent knife with as he notes, fine opening characteristics. Good filework too, shown here Ebony with extra pin decoration and Stag, the latter was lost for 6 years then found in a house move in the pocket of long forgotten jeans about to be purged! What luck! Hope the same applies for some house keys and a GEC 83 Stag MIA for 2 months now....

2Y5xmF3.jpg
 
draggat said:
The Le Thiers knife was my gateway into French cutlery. You can't go wrong with Chambriard. They are slip joints with a transitional spring, weighted heavier on the opening snap and close. They also have the year of manufacture on the butt end. These are the most common ones available in the US and have a decent build quality, although I'm not sure where you are located?

Perceval knives are excellent quality, but they are also much more modern and their le Thiers has a liner lock. Fontenille Pataud is outstanding as well, with a lock back.

My personal favorites are the Cognet versions which come in two sizes and feature a slip joint mechanism with a half stop. Only the large version is available with bolsters and it is a bit on the heavy side. File work on these typically only shows up on the fancier, more expensive models. Ordering direct from them was a pleasant experience.

I have some by Goyon-Chazeau but I would not recommend them. Both of mine have build quality issues.... one came with the blade sitting 1/4" proud when closed and the other has a handle pin that was ground too far causing the handle to make a pop sound when squeezed.

Some photos.... Unfortunately I no longer have the Fontenille Pataud and my Perceval knives are different models. The laguiole is 11cm closed but keep in mind that sometimes the lengths appear different in these comparison photos. Best to look at the measurements of each knife independently.

View attachment 2168641View attachment 2168643View attachment 2168644

Good luck!
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Really beautiful knives!
Now my mind is about to Chambriard. Then only issue is there is no dealer in Asia and from the website they only accept order by email via their catalogue and bank transfer as payment.

I was thinking Fontenille Pataud, but I am re-considering.

Thank you for the inputs!
 
draggat said:
Forgot to mention, you can leave me a visitor message on my profile page with your email address if you need a list of European dealers. I've ordered from many different ones, but the rules of the forum state that we can't post them here unless they have a 'dealer membership' on bladeforums
Click to expand...
thanks, but looking for dealer in Asia at this moment.
 
Some first hand observations with Le Thiers by Chambriard and by Fontenille Pataud:
- Le Thiers par Fontenille Pataud: "Nature", 11.5 cm folded. Pro: Clever lock back. Very good size.
- Le Thiers par Fontenille Pataud: "Pocket", 10.0 cm folded. Pro: Clever lock back. Con: The metal stern of the handle digs into my palm.
- Le Thiers par Chambriard: "Compagnon", 11.5 cm folded. Pro: Handle cross-section is more rounded than Fontenille Pataud. Great ergonomics. i.m.o. from all Le Thiers has the best lines.
- Le Thiers par Chambriard: "Compact", 9.5 cm folded: Pro: Handle is more rounded than Fontenille Pataud. Nice lines.

Both manufacturers do very good quality. Maybe the Guillochage on the back spring is more consistent on the Chambriard knives. They are somewhat cheaper, as well. Fontenille Pataud on the other hand do an invisible lock back.

Size comparison:
CEg4n1i.jpg
 
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Will Power said:
Chambriard le compact is an excellent knife with as he notes, fine opening characteristics. Good filework too, shown here Ebony with extra pin decoration and Stag, the latter was lost for 6 years then found in a house move in the pocket of long forgotten jeans about to be purged! What luck! Hope the same applies for some house keys and a GEC 83 Stag MIA for 2 months now....

2Y5xmF3.jpg
Click to expand...
Nice knives. By pure coincidence yesterday I ordered a Chambriard in stag and one in ebony. (Keep one and return the other).
 
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Luke_Chambers said:
Nice knives. By pure coincidence yesterday I ordered a Chambriard in stag and one in ebony. (Keep one and return the other).
Click to expand...
Thanks! What a bizarre co-incidence :cool: Well, I've been pleased with mine, they've aged very well, carry nicely in the pocket, slice superbly and retain a nice fine edge. The filework is pleasant and well done, they have slight blade play but nothing obnoxious- open easy shut with some force- as it should be, safe:thumbsup:

Would look forward to reading one of your objectives reviews of these knives.

Thanks, Will
 
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