Espinasse a Paris 10" Chef Knife Nogent / Cuisine Massif Carbon Steel Nickel Ebony Paris or Thiers 1870s-1900

Refurbished 19th century 10" Nogent / Cuisine Massif style chef knife marked "Espinasse A Paris." with forged carbon steel blade, ebony handle and a nickel ferrule with a brazed seam. 

This knife was a bit misshapen and sharpened in, it has been re-ground and reprofiled, a crack on the ebony handle has been glued as well. 

This knife is a little bit of a mystery. At first glance, its brazed nickel ferrule and fine cut serif stamp marking strongly suggest 19th C production. Looking for Espinasse in Paris can suggest several different retailers with the last name Espinasse who could have had this knife made for them in Paris or in Thiers, the slightly smaller handle could suggest Thiers manufacture but this is difficult to say with certainty. 

The blade has been thinned and re-faced; it has some waviness to the tip, visible when sighted and the handle has some cracks that old ebony is prone too, everything is tight and secure however.