Traditional pocket knife: Rhône-Alpes - Alpin Bubinga wood carbon
The Alpin penknife was originally daily companion of the rural population of Savoy in the French Alps. It is also known as "Savoyard" or "Montagnart". In the inhospitable landscape, ranchers and farmers needed a simple, sturdy cutting tool that was cheap and able to cope with all demands.
The Alpin knife with a sturdy blade and a curved, supple, hand-held handle became a useful commodity in the region. A version of the Alpin is the iconic Opinel pocket knife with a simpler lock: a rotatable locking sleeve, derived from the Notron, an old knife shape. The Opinel was able to prevail worldwide and is today the internationally most famous pocket knife from France.
The Alpin interpretation from Thiers, however, is equipped with the original elaborate back spring mechanism, which holds the blade stable in position. The polished handles are made of decorative West African Bubinga heartwood, the perfect material for knife handles that are constantly exposed to heavy loads.
At the front end of the subtly curved handle of stainless steel jaws is completed at the rear beveled end there is a riveted stainless steel loop on which the knife can be secured. This robust gem is also made in the Thiers knife stronghold, here in a version with centrally lowered blade made of high-quality carbon steel.
