Hand crafted Sardinian Knives

Discuss travel, watches, gastronomy, wines, boats and all other aspects of the Elegant life
alden
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 4:45 pm

My newest addition in Ram's horn, blade 12 cm

ImagePattadese in Ram horn by The London Lounge, on Flickr
hectorm
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:01 pm

uppercase wrote: It would be nice to reclaim some of the nice pleasures we previously enjoyed such as carrying one of those beauties.
alden wrote: I use my own knife when I go to a restaurant as well.
Given the state of cutlery in many restaurants it's not an outrageous idea to take one's knife when headed to dining out (particularly to a steak house where most knives are real clunkers). I haven't tried it yet, though.
In the city where I live it's totally legal to carry a knife of any size (concealed or not) provided it falls in the tool category (utility knives, folding) and not in the dangerous weapon class (daggers, switchblades). Convincing the security guys by the ubiquitous metal detectors is another story.
uppercase
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Sat Sep 24, 2016 11:56 pm

^^^

Americans' lives have never seemed to be so regulated yet so unsettled and insecure.

Don't know what to make of it …
Manself
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Sun Oct 16, 2016 7:41 pm

These knives look superb, and I'd certainly subscribe to an LL edition - perhaps a folder and a fixed blade?

I once had lunch with Patrick Louis Vuitton family (a man who I suspect is occasionally summoned from his country estate by LVMH in order to engender an undeserved sense of heritage) and I was very impressed when he produced a lock knife from his pocket during the meal and cut up his meat with it.
mimile
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Sun Oct 16, 2016 11:51 pm

Manself,
What your friend did is quite common among Frenchmen. It is very traditional in France to own a lock knife, to keep it very sharp, carry it around and use it at restaurants. Quite often it is a 'Laguiole'. I am not an LVMH heir but I carry my own lock knife to restaurants too. At the end of the meal it is cleaned with the napkin and placed back in the pocket. C'est ainsi.
alden
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Mon Oct 17, 2016 6:54 am

The tradition of carrying one's own knife to restaurants or when invited to dine at someone's house extends to both Italy and France. It was common at all levels but especially among the aristocracy who were the only class for centuries who dined out (and I don't mean under the stars.) But the pastoral cart set also found affection for the knife as it was an absolutely necessary instrument of day to day life.

I don't think it is surprising that this practice was common in the two countries that raised gastronomy to a true art form. And in the luxury of eating well, it is nice to know you have a knife that is sharp, and well adapted to the task at hand. Of course it is entirely illegal, in both France and Italy, to leave home with any kind of sharp instrument in one's pocket. But, well, traditions die hard.

I have never tried to take my own knife to an eating establishment in the States or anywhere else in Europe. I'm not sure the practice would be well received or understood.

Another treasure from my collection:

Image14182533_1754241221500617_1850336537_n by The London Lounge, on Flickr

The red you see in some of the handles is Ram's blood and it is highly sought after and rare.

Cheers
Screaminmarlon
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Mon Oct 17, 2016 5:15 pm

A beautiful knife!
I really admire the craft
mimile
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Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:04 pm

Beautiful knife and color indeed Michael.
andy57
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Mon Oct 17, 2016 8:04 pm

I would also have an interest in such a collaboration.
alden
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Tue Oct 18, 2016 7:37 am

Yes the craft is a splendid one. It takes a lot of work to hand craft one of these knives. And every Master knifemaker has his own hand, just like a tailor's, and this even though the forms are traditional.

A couple more from my collection

ImageDSC_0023 by The London Lounge, on Flickr
troutonthefly
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Tue Oct 18, 2016 3:33 pm

Michael, your collection is very beautiful. I would certainly be interested, should you ever decide to design a LL knife.

I picked up several Laguiole folding knives on our last trip to Paris. Yet whenever we throw sausage and cheese into the picnic basket, and head out for a cruise in our old MGB, it's my trusty Opinel #8 that goes with us. Old habits die hard....

John
Screaminmarlon
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Tue Oct 18, 2016 3:48 pm

Trusty and rusty Opinel... great memories
alden
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Tue Oct 18, 2016 5:58 pm

My fave is the Opinel 10, carbon steel, great knife. Never dies. The stainless version is very good as well, made from good Swedish steel 12c27.
Manself
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Fri Nov 04, 2016 8:48 pm

I do hope that an LL collection of Sardinian knives is forthcoming now that you've tempted us with these wonderful shots.
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