The Catalan's blade is similar to the one of the "Navaja knife," which is the oldest folding knife pattern still in production today. The "Navaja" first originated in southern Spain and was gradually exported and eventually made it to France and Corsica. Today, each Nontron knife is an original work of art made by one of only ten artisan knife makers.
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 today's Nontron pocket knives have been nearly the same since the fifteenth century.
Handle type: Medieval Clog 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 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.
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.)
Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota) - One of the world hardest wood and most difficult to work with due to its density.
This increasingly rare wood comes from snag trees(Standing dead trees) that have been left to dry in the Arizona desert heat for decades. As it ages, the wood turns reddish brown with a golden hue and beautiful veining. The wood from this very slow growing tree can be well over 100 years old.
Imported from & harvested in Arizona
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.
The Catalan's blade is similar to the one of the "Navaja knife," which is the oldest folding knife pattern still in production today. The "Navaja" first originated in southern Spain and was gradually exported and eventually made it to France and Corsica. Today, each Nontron knife is an original work of art made by one of only ten artisan knife makers.
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 today's Nontron pocket knives have been nearly the same since the fifteenth century.
Handle type: Medieval Clog 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 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.
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.)
Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota) - One of the world hardest wood and most difficult to work with due to its density.
This increasingly rare wood comes from snag trees (Standing dead trees) that have been left to dry in the Arizona desert heat for decades. As it ages, the wood turns reddish brown with a golden hue and beautiful veining. The wood from this very slow growing tree can be well over 100 years old.
Imported from & harvested in Arizona
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.
