Low-tech Knives: Part 3

NONTRON




I decided to include the Nontron knife, because they are low-tech, and very similar to the Opinel, albeit more expensive. They are recognized as one of the oldest knives in France, and have been produced by hand in the Dordogne region since the Fifteenth Century. Today, the Nontron factory remains the oldest continuously operating cutlery forge in France. Each knife is made by one of only 6 knifemakers.


The handles are made of 40-50 year-old Boxwood, which is air-dried for a minimum of 4 years (usually 5) before being shaped and finished, and finally decorated with ancient woodburned figures. Boxwood, which grows in the region, is extremely lightweight and very strong. Each blade is hand-forged. There are many different styles to choose from, including high-carbon or stainless blades. The knife pictured retails for around $60, and can be purchased here.

OKAPI



Here is another unique knife. I first came across this knife while living in Jamaica. The locals called it a "3-Star". They were sold in markets all over the island for around $6 US at the time. I was initially attracted to how different this knife looked, as I had never seen anything quite like it, so I bought one. As it turned out, this knife was originally produced in 1902 for export to Germany's colonies in Africa, and was named after the Okapi animal.




The designs are from the 17th century and are known as "Clasp Knives". They are currently made from 1055 high Carbon Steel. In 1988, Okapi South Africa bought the trademark and began producing the Okapi line of knives in South Africa. Unlike any knife I have come across, the back spring design is one-of-a-kind. It rachets open in several positions so the blade won't close on your hand - a very ingenious design. Overall fit and finish cannot be compared to say, a Nontron knife, but they are definitely great workers and have a good reputation. The large Okapi knife retails for around $18, but they can be purchased in a set of 4 knives for $30 here.



As a side note, the US company Cold Steel makes a version of the Okapi knife called the "Kudu". Check it out here.




HIGONOKAMI



Here is a knife you don't see too often. The Higonokami - a traditional Japanese pocketknife widely used for at least the last century, carried by every school boy and young man in Japan. The knife is a friction folder, having no locking system, and is reminiscent of the Cat or the Douk-Douk in handle design.


The handles are made of polished brass, engraved with a Japanese fighter and on the reverse side with the maker’s stamps. The blade is a 3mm thick high-carbon, 3-layer laminated blue steel. And it comes SHARP. They go for $33 here.

Low-tech Knives: Part 2

BABY CAT



Nearly identical to its bigger brother, the baby Cat measures 3 3/4" closed with a 3" blade, the only difference being that it is non-locking, and does not feature the Catlogo. I actually prefer the baby Cat for pocket carry. The most common handle cover is black, though it can be had in blue or red as well. Otter-Messer is the only factory that currently makes the Cat. At the time of writing this, it can be purchased for $17.95 here.



OPINEL



Simple. Inexpensive. This beechwood-handled beauty has been manufactured since the 1890's in the Savoie region of France. Today, there are many different varieties of the knife, though traditionally they were beechwood and high carbon steel. The knife pictured here has a forced patina on the blade (more about that later).



The unique and interesting thing about this knife is the way it locks: it features a locking collar that holds the blade in place when the knife is open. Simply rotated, it can also lock the knife while closed to keep it from opening in the pocket. These knives are simple indeed, but durable and of very good quality. If cared for properly, they will last many, many years. Probably the best part about these nice knives is that they cost even less than a Cat. They retail for around $10! They can be purchased here.



THE DOUK-DOUK




The douk-douk is a very simple slipjoint knife. Very similar to the Cat in design, it has no locking mechanism, but it does feature a very strong backspring, and the knife itself consists of only six parts. The blade is, you guess it - high carbon steel, and is known as a Turkish clip, similar to a scimitar. The Douk-Douk has been manufactured by the M. C. Cognet cutlery firm in Thiers, France, since 1927. There is also some interesting history related to this knife. The handle depicts a "douk-douk", or Melanesian spirit incarnation, the God of doom in French Polynesia.
The Douk-Douk was widely used by the FLN during the Algerian War (1954-1962). Nothing fancy here, just a tough, flat, quality knife, ready for pocket carry. And once again, the price tag won't break the bank: they retail for around $20. Purchase one here.

Low-tech Knives: Part 1

Since I was 4 years old, I've had an interest in knives. Knives were some of the first tools used by early man - practically since his existence. As historians have pointed out, it is the use of such tools that distinguishes us from other animals. Knives are both practical and interesting. Their uses are numerous. The knife has seen more alterations and variations than can possibly be counted, and through the refinement of techniques, technology and materials, one could argue that today's knives are better than ever; yet, there are those I would argue that stand the test of time: low-tech knives in our high-tech world.

Generally speaking, when you purchase a knife, (aside from the brand name), you are paying for the materials used to make it. For example, a Benchmade 940 Osborne retails for around $150. That much for a knife, you ask? But a closer look at the materials would explain: an S30V stainless steel blade (a great all-around knife steel), anodized aluminum handles, Axis lock, titanium spacer, etc. Not to say this isn't an outstanding knife, but if having the best edge-holding blade with a fancy reverse tanto isn't necessary for what YOU need it for - then don't buy one. That's actually my point here: I'm going to offer several alternative knives for a fraction of the cost. Cheap in cost doesn't always mean cheap in QUALITY.

There are people out there that will argue about the best knife steel till the end of time. I'm certainly not going to be comparing Ford's and Chevy's here. To each his own. However, I am going to say that for the price, high-carbon blades -if cared for properly- will most likely not only perform well, by quite possibly out-live their owner. Compared to stainless, carbon steel is also much easier to sharpen, and takes a wicked edge. Over time, through exposure to acidic foods, a carbon blade will form what is called a "patina", which is actually a form of oxidization, or brown rust (not to be confused with red rust which eats away the metal). This patina helps prevent the carbon blade from the bad rust. (I could talk about forcing a patina, but I'll save that for other article). Care still needs to be taken however, and blades should be wiped down and oiled periodically. Before I get too sidetracked, let's get on to the knives.

THE "CAT"

The first knife I'm going to introduce is known by several names: the "K55", "Mercator", "Black Cat", "Running Cat", or just plain "Cat". At first glance, you'll see why:

It is made in Solingen, Germany, and is a very simple design. The handle is black coated folded steel, and very robust with its secure locking system. It includes a bail for a lanyard, and a high quality carbon steel spear-point blade that Solingen is known for. It measures 4 1/4" closed, and is extremely thin - perfect for pocket carry. The Cat knives I own have no blade play whatsoever. These knives were brought back by G.I.'s during WWII, and have retained their popularity since then for good reason. Retailing for $20, these knives are hard to beat.