South-East & Corsica

South-Eastern France stretches from the Mediterranean coast to the Alpine regions and includes the Rhône-Alpes, Savoie, Provence, Languedoc-Roussillon, Côte-d´Azur and Corsica regions. Some of the most beautiful and characteristic knives in France have their roots in this region. The ALPIN comes from Savoie, Grenoble, where Mr. Opinel found a method to manufacture the knife that will bear his name economically and industrially and to distribute it throughout the world. It may even have made ALPIN better known internationally than LAGUIOLE. In the Alps forestry and pasture breeding form the backdrop for the famous cheese and the ALPIN which, as a knife, must be a reliable all-rounder. Here it bears also the name of "SAVOYARD" and "MONTAGNARD".

CAPUCIN, AGENAIS, SAINT-AMAND, BONNET are popular or produced locally.

On the Provençe we find the MONTPELLIER, a knife for fishermen and sailors with its blade geometry adapted to the requirements of life on board a ship, being able to work wood, fabric (canvas, sailcloth) and ropes with a single tool. It is said that the MONTPELLIER once was part of the sailor's basic equipment.

Corsican culture is reflected in its knives. The old Corsican knives are of simple Piémontese type, without locking. Blacksmiths knew how to forge very good blades and harden them. However, they lacked the knowledge to forge flexible spring steels and to construct folding knives.

For the handles, they used in particular the ram's horn, the shape of which influenced the form of the knives, over the centuries, of knives suitable for all agricultural activities, in forests and the “maquis”, in pastures, hunting and cooking. They bear the name of CURNICCIOLU.
The Genoese tradition, in particular that of Genoese daggers, has strongly influenced Corsican culture. It is in this tradition that the "VENDETTA" is created. These knives are said to be less suitable for gardening, but they have already resolved many disputes ... It is also said that they are mostly created for tourists. Anyway; they were not produced on the island but by blacksmiths from Thiers and marketed by itinerant merchants who sold them to shops and markets or by going door to door.

Find more information with the knives below.

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