The Old School model is an approximate replica of some of the most common Laguiole knives found in France during the mid to late 1800s. The most drastic difference is the almost no existent file work on the spring top and the absence of any bolsters. As a result, the Laguiole of old was easier to make and was more affordable. It is important to note that such knives had carbon blades since stainless steel was not invented until 1913. 

This knife was entirely handmade in Europe's capital of cutlery "Thiers." The “Gilles®” Fontenille Pataud collection of knives are considered by many to be some of the best pocket knives money can buy. All Knives offered by Gilles are entirely made by a single craftsman from start to finish ensuring pride of ownership of the final piece.100% Made in France

Technical aspects: This 12 cm handle knife features a forged bee and a solid hardened blade stop to help prevent the blade's edge from making contact with the inner area of the spring.

What is a Forged Bee? You can recognize a forged bee when you look just below it, where it meets the decorated spring. If you do not see any gaps, it's a good sign that the bee and spring were forged from the same piece of metal. You can also recognize a soldered bee by noticing a straight gap/ridge where the bee meets the spring.

Most inexpensive Laguiole pocket knives found on the market have a soldered bee. The process of adding the bee to the spring by soldering saves time and money, this is why the cost of soldered bee knives can be substantially less. The original Laguiole knives had forged bees - welding was not invented until 1881.

Blade: Stainless Swedish 12C27 steel, 3 mm thick. Hardness: 56-57 Hrc.
Plates: 1.5 mm stainless
Decorated Spring: 3 mm stainless - stainless steel Z20c13
Blade Size: 9.65 cm (3.80")
Handle Size: 12 cm (4.5/8")
Open Size: 21.65 cm (8.50")
Weight: ~ 76.5 grams (2.70 oz.)