Reviewed by Ed B.
Verified Buyer
Great Gentleman’s Pocket knife
This knife is beautiful as well as functional. Its size is perfect for carrying in dress clothes. The quality is excellent.
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$70.00 CAD
The Laguiole XS 9 cm represents the ultimate expression of the "Gentleman’s knife"—compact, sophisticated, and engineered for those who appreciate discreet luxury. This small and elegantly designed pen knife features a precision lock-back mechanism that ensures the blade locks securely when in use. A Fontenille Pataud masterpiece, it features hand-guilloché detailing along the entire spring and a traditionally forged bee, markers of a knife crafted with absolute precision by a single master artisan.
Individual Photography: Because Desert Ironwood is a natural material known for its high-contrast grain and intense shimmer, no two handles are alike. We provide high-resolution photography for each piece; the knife pictured is the exact one you will receive. This ensures that the specific depth and unique figure of the wood you select is precisely what will arrive for your collection.
Handle Character: This model is adorned with scales of genuine Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota). Sourced from the Sonoran Desert, this is one of the densest and most durable woods on Earth—so heavy that it actually sinks in water. It is prized for its exceptional chatoyancy, which makes it appear to glow from within when held in the light. The palette ranges from rich chocolate browns to golden ambers, often interlaced with dark, almost black, ink-like streaks. This rare timber provides a warm, substantial feel and a mirror-like polish that resists wear and environmental changes, making it as resilient as it is beautiful.
At 9 cm (closed), this knife is designed to sit comfortably and unnoticed in a pocket until needed. Each piece is a unique specimen of natural history, expertly shaped and polished in Thiers—Europe’s historic cradle of fine cutlery.
| Authenticity & Warranty |
|---|
|
• 100% Made in France: Handcrafted in Thiers by Fontenille Pataud. • Lifetime Warranty: Guaranteed against manufacturer defects. • U.S. Based Support: We provide seamless warranty and repair coordination directly from our Jacksonville, Florida location. |
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 dead trees that have been left to dry in the desert heat for decades. As it starts to fossilize, 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. Harvested in Arizona or Northwestern Mexico.
Good to know: Ironwood can sometimes show tiny knots or small depressions within the wood. This is not considered a defect but rather a characteristic of this wood.
Blade: 14C28N Swedish stainless steel, 2.5 mm thick, 58-59 Hrc.
Metal Finish: Brushed
Plates: 1.25 mm stainless.
Decorated Spring & lock-back system: 2.5 mm stainless - Hand file work
Blade Size: 7.40 cm (2.92")
Handle Size: 9.30 cm (3.66") including back lock release
Open Size: 16.7 cm (6.57")
Weight: ~ 44 grams (1.6 oz.)
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 it saves time and money, this is why the cost of soldered bee knives can be substantially less. The original Laguiole knives had forged bees.
The Laguiole XS 9 cm represents the ultimate expression of the "Gentleman’s knife"—compact, sophisticated, and engineered for those who appreciate discreet luxury. This small and elegantly designed pen knife features a precision lock-back mechanism that ensures the blade locks securely when in use. A Fontenille Pataud masterpiece, it features hand-guilloché detailing along the entire spring and a traditionally forged bee, markers of a knife crafted with absolute precision by a single master artisan.
Individual Photography: Because Desert Ironwood is a natural material known for its high-contrast grain and intense shimmer, no two handles are alike. We provide high-resolution photography for each piece; the knife pictured is the exact one you will receive. This ensures that the specific depth and unique figure of the wood you select is precisely what will arrive for your collection.
Handle Character: This model is adorned with scales of genuine Desert Ironwood (Olneya tesota). Sourced from the Sonoran Desert, this is one of the densest and most durable woods on Earth—so heavy that it actually sinks in water. It is prized for its exceptional chatoyancy, which makes it appear to glow from within when held in the light. The palette ranges from rich chocolate browns to golden ambers, often interlaced with dark, almost black, ink-like streaks. This rare timber provides a warm, substantial feel and a mirror-like polish that resists wear and environmental changes, making it as resilient as it is beautiful.
At 9 cm (closed), this knife is designed to sit comfortably and unnoticed in a pocket until needed. Each piece is a unique specimen of natural history, expertly shaped and polished in Thiers—Europe’s historic cradle of fine cutlery.
| Authenticity & Warranty |
|---|
|
• 100% Made in France: Handcrafted in Thiers by Fontenille Pataud. • Lifetime Warranty: Guaranteed against manufacturer defects. • U.S. Based Support: We provide seamless warranty and repair coordination directly from our Jacksonville, Florida location. |
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 dead trees that have been left to dry in the desert heat for decades. As it starts to fossilize, 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. Harvested in Arizona or Northwestern Mexico.
Good to know: Ironwood can sometimes show tiny knots or small depressions within the wood. This is not considered a defect but rather a characteristic of this wood.
Blade: 14C28N Swedish stainless steel, 2.5 mm thick, 58-59 Hrc.
Metal Finish: Brushed
Plates: 1.25 mm stainless.
Decorated Spring & lock-back system: 2.5 mm stainless - Hand file work
Blade Size: 7.40 cm (2.92")
Handle Size: 9.30 cm (3.66") including back lock release
Open Size: 16.7 cm (6.57")
Weight: ~ 44 grams (1.6 oz.)
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 it saves time and money, this is why the cost of soldered bee knives can be substantially less. The original Laguiole knives had forged bees.