Reviewed by James C. A.
Verified Buyer
Classic Notron Ball Hanfke Knife
Classic knife. Had one many years ago. Well crafted and unique.
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The Nontron knife shares the name of the French village of its birth located in the Dordogne department. This knife's history is filled with so many legends that it is difficult to date its exact origin; however, most experts agree that the Nontron knife is the oldest French folding knife dating back to the 13th century. Today, the cutlery that bears its name since 1928 produces handmade knives using ancestral methods. The procedures used to conceive todays' Nontron pocket knives are nearly the same since the fifteenth century.
Handle type: Ball handle. Highly ergonomic, this ancestral design prevents hand slippage and provides a safe resting area for the blade's tip.
Safety ring: This knife features a simple brass locking ring to keep the knife's blade locked while open.
Safety evolution: Early Nontron knives did not have a locking mechanism; the blade was held open by the wood's pressure in a similar way as this small knife.
Open size: 21.5 cm (8.45")
Blade Size: 9.2 cm (3.62")
Blade Type: Drop-point
Bade: Forged T12 alloy
Handle Size: 12.2 cm (4.80")
Weight: ~ 39 grams (1.4 oz.)
Hand-shaped from 40 to 50-year-old Boxwood harvested from locally grown trees and air-dried for 5 years.
Using old boxwood assures an unprecedented degree of hardness and prevents splits commonly found in such hardwoods. Boxwood is best suited for turning and is commonly used to create small wood objects such as chess pieces, musical instruments, and knife handles.
Fact: Old-growth boxwood is extremely dense, hard, and tends to be very expensive.
The wood burned patterns, whose origin and meanings are still not fully understood, are made from “flies,” a kind of reversed V surrounded by 3 points and rows of small dots. Religious symbols? Perhaps a reference to the Freemasons' compass or the Compagnons du Devoir? No one really knows.
Of course, many are convinced that they know the meaning of this mystical symbol. We, at Laguiole Imports, are no different; we are certain that the symbol is one of a compass (V) and the three dots (∴) representing the first three craft degrees of initiation in the Masonic Honor Points. These fascinating symbols first appeared with the clog handle design. Today, they decorate all boxwood models of pockets and table knives. Fact: The Nontron shop is the oldest continuously operating cutlery in France.
The legendary Nontron symbol being apply to a boxwood handle
The Nontron knife factory, located in the village of Nontron, France
How to Maintain Your Pocket Knife
Pocket Knives are designed for cutting only. Do not use it as a screwdriver, crowbar, wood chisel, as this can cause irreversible damage and void the warranty.
To keep your pocket knife in top condition, follow these maintenance tips:
Important Note: Tuf Glide is not considered a "food-safe" product. Avoid using it on knives that come into contact with food.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your pocket knife remains reliable and ready for your next adventure.
a nicely made knife in a traditional pattern. a ball handle with a blade held open by turning a brass ring. very old historical design. recommended !!
The Nontron knife shares the name of the French village of its birth located in the Dordogne department. This knife's history is filled with so many legends that it is difficult to date its exact origin; however, most experts agree that the Nontron knife is the oldest French folding knife dating back to the 13th century. Today, the cutlery that bears its name since 1928 produces handmade knives using ancestral methods. The procedures used to conceive todays' Nontron pocket knives are nearly the same since the fifteenth century.
Handle type: Ball handle. Highly ergonomic, this ancestral design prevents hand slippage and provides a safe resting area for the blade's tip.
Safety ring: This knife features a simple brass locking ring to keep the knife's blade locked while open.
Safety evolution: Early Nontron knives did not have a locking mechanism; the blade was held open by the wood's pressure in a similar way as this small knife.
Open size: 21.5 cm (8.45")
Blade Size: 9.2 cm (3.62")
Blade Type: Drop-point
Bade: Forged T12 alloy
Handle Size: 12.2 cm (4.80")
Weight: ~ 39 grams (1.4 oz.)
Hand-shaped from 40 to 50-year-old Boxwood harvested from locally grown trees and air-dried for 5 years.
Using old boxwood assures an unprecedented degree of hardness and prevents splits commonly found in such hardwoods. Boxwood is best suited for turning and is commonly used to create small wood objects such as chess pieces, musical instruments, and knife handles.
Fact: Old-growth boxwood is extremely dense, hard, and tends to be very expensive.
The wood burned patterns, whose origin and meanings are still not fully understood, are made from “flies,” a kind of reversed V surrounded by 3 points and rows of small dots. Religious symbols? Perhaps a reference to the Freemasons' compass or the Compagnons du Devoir? No one really knows.
Of course, many are convinced that they know the meaning of this mystical symbol. We, at Laguiole Imports, are no different; we are certain that the symbol is one of a compass (V) and the three dots (∴) representing the first three craft degrees of initiation in the Masonic Honor Points. These fascinating symbols first appeared with the clog handle design. Today, they decorate all boxwood models of pockets and table knives. Fact: The Nontron shop is the oldest continuously operating cutlery in France.
The legendary Nontron symbol being apply to a boxwood handle
The Nontron knife factory, located in the village of Nontron, France
How to Maintain Your Pocket Knife
Pocket Knives are designed for cutting only. Do not use it as a screwdriver, crowbar, wood chisel, as this can cause irreversible damage and void the warranty.
To keep your pocket knife in top condition, follow these maintenance tips:
Important Note: Tuf Glide is not considered a "food-safe" product. Avoid using it on knives that come into contact with food.
By following these simple steps, you can ensure that your pocket knife remains reliable and ready for your next adventure.