Fontenille Pataud Laguiole Nature 12cm Pocket Knife Stainless Lockback Curly Birch

The Laguiole Nature knife combines the best of the old and new. The traditional graceful of the Laguiole knife have been updated to include a smooth locking blade system. It is easy to use, beautiful to show and superior in performance.

Handle: 1st choice patterned Curly birch, 7mm thick; Traditional Shepherd's cross inlayed.

Blade: Stainless swedish 14C28N steel, 3mm thick. Hardness: 58-59 Hrc. We also offer a 60Hrc hardenned special RWL34 swedish powder stainless steel for those who love knives with a longer sharp edge.

Size and weight: 12cm folded, 22cm open, approx. 100 grams.

Technical tips: The 'Bee' spring with its lock-back system is made from 3mm thick stainless steel Z20c13. A solid hardenned bladestop is provided: that helps maintain the edge of the blade. The traditional bee is solid and forged into the spring. The spring and bee are then hand-chased with a file:  this denotes artisan quality, unlike inexpensive mass market products that have welded springs and are machine decorated. These details create a unique Laguiole knife, making each knife one of a kind.

Included: Numbered Guarantee certificate, leather pouch. The pouch is an artisan product too, handmade in France.

The Laguiole knife has a distinctive design influenced by the Spanish Navaja. A smaller, more tactile version was made for the sheep-herders on the Aubrac plateau in France, and was named after the town Laguiole. In addition to the iconic ‘bee’ or ‘fly’ on the spring, typically they feature a semi yataghan shaped blade, a slip joint mechanism with a slim tapered handle made from natural material, traditionally cow horn.

The name and design of ‘Laguiole’ fell into public domain, and can legally be manufactured all over the world by anyone, so it is important to distinguish the different makers of the Laguiole style, as there are vast differences in quality of manufacture and material.

Fontenille Pataud is a small family business located in the beautiful Thiers, Auvergne region in France. Thiers is world famous for its manufacturing of knives and cutlery.

They are well known for their Laguiole style knives, but other regional styles including the Vendetta (from Corsica), Yssingeaux, Saint-Bernard, and Basque knives.