Capucin
Knives like a CAPUCIN [ka.py.sɛ̃] are the oldest pocketknives of all, they only consist of three parts: handle, blade and axle pin. Which ingenious inventor in the history of mankind came up ... know more
Knives like a CAPUCIN [ka.py.sɛ̃] are the oldest pocketknives of all, they only consist of three parts: handle, blade and axle pin. Which ingenious inventor in the history of mankind came up with the idea of making a fixed knife foldable cannot be reconstructed.
We thought our discovery of a PIEMONTAIS of the 13th century in the Museum of London would have led us to the beginnings of pocketknives. An error. In 2015, a well-preserved folding knife was discovered in Château Calmot d’Olt dans le Massif-Central during archaeological excavations, the creation of which could be dated to the end of the 6th / beginning of the 7th century. Where the CAPUCIN is to be classified in the end cannot be said with certainty given the current state of science.
What we do know is that it is native to the South of France and has been one of the most popular knives for many centuries. People say, that it got its name from the shepherds in the Pyrenees, who gave their knives the shape of a monk with the characteristic monk's hood when they carved the handles of their knives by the fire at night ... we also know many charming histories from the LAGUIOLE. Legends of this kind, which, all beautiful and adorable, ultimately cannot stand up to closer scrutiny.
The fact is that with its clear lines, the CAPUCIN follows the motto form follows function. The monk's hood at the end of the handle protects the tip of the blade and is a result of the ergonomic design of the handle. Like the PIEMONTAIS from London, nothing of the knife is by chance or superfluous. Everything is reduced to the necessary form and it is from this simplicity that makes its beauty. We find the CAPUCIN shown for the first time on an engraving in one of the oldest craft books of blacksmithing by Auguste-Denis Fougeroux de Bondaroy, 1772.
Traditionally, the handles are made of solid horn tip or one of the hard woods of the south.
CAPUCIN made the cutlery COUTELLERIE COGNET and THERIAS in Thiers for PassionFrance®. As a sign of their authenticity, they have the respective smith's mark on the blade, the Lapin for COGNET, the umbrella for PARAPLUIE.
Model variants:
- handle length 12cm and 13cm
- different handle materials
- variants with figurative ends
Copyright 2020 © PassionFrance®
Grand-CAPUCIN Atelier COGNET black buffalo horn tip 
Grand-CAPUCIN Atelier COGNET blonde horn tip