Saint-Amans

The SAINT-AMANS, sometimes SAINT-AMAND or SAINT-AMANT [sɛ̃t.a.mɑ̃], has its origin in Aquitaine. It resembles the AGENAIS except for a small, decisive detail. The shape of blade makes the difference. Both SAINT-AMANT and AGENAIS are members of a very old pocketknife family whose roots go back to the Middle Ages, some claim to the Romans. The shape of the handle and construction are signs of this old type.

The SAINT-AMANS has the older sage-leaf shape of blade. From the knives from the Bergerac area, famous for its cigars and tobacco production, we know the profiled handles, which are said to be better in the hand when harvesting the tobacco, because when you cut the leaves, a gelatinous juice escapes that makes the handle so slippery that the knife can slip out of your hand. So the rosettes are both, a decorative element and an early protection measure.

The authentic handle materials for SAINT-AMANS and AGENAIS are horn and the hard woods of the south. The red-brown plum wood occupies a special position (knives currently sold out), because plum trees were first brought to Europe by the Crusaders from the Orient. They are the first fruit trees in western culture and found their home in the Agen area. Today the "Prunes d'Agen" are among the most famous specialties in the land of gourmets. Another special position is the ram's horn, which shows the influence of the neighboring Pyrenees. 

The blades are made of Sandvik 12C27. The handle length of the knife is a good 11cm.

The coutelliers ARTO and PARAPLUIE produced traditional versions for PassionFrance®. As a proof of their authenticity, they have their own brand marks.

We have been manufacturing the SAINT-AMANS ourselves in our atelier in Thiers since 2019. Actually  prepared a new edition of the SAINT-AMANS with a couple of prominent now solid brass rosettes. In order to emphasize the profile of the handles, the rivet heads are artfully shaped into mushroom heads zoo. As a sign of their traditional roots and authenticity, they bear the PassionFrance® brand mark, the Coq.

Model variants:
- different manufacturers
- different handle materials
- Custom models (e.g. with mammoth handles or damask blades) to order.

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