Knife review: The Alpin: timeless traditional French folder

[jblauh01]

Great knife and as usual awesome and entertaining video. Thank you.

[zigzagskunket]

@MrDagon007 Off topic but seeing as the end of the year is coming and the new year about to start I was wondering if you would do another cocktail recipe.

[MrDagon007]

@zigzagskunket Good idea, but I am very busy to prepare my upcoming relocation, hence I cannot promise to make such a video (or any other video) soon...

[malcolmry]

Hi, I was just looking at the new 2012 Spyderco catalogue and saw this Spyderco Air by Gayle Bradley and immediately thought of your videos. its been a while, hope you are well.

[MrDagon007]

@malcolmry Yes, both the Air and the Des Horn folder (and the Southfork fixed blade) would all be perfect for me. At this moment I have very little time to make videos however (preparing a move).

[ttfweb1]

I really enjoy your knife and book reviews. I like the specifics you go into - it makes the videos interesting.

I'm a native of the land of knife makers (Oregon) - Kershaw, Benchmade, Gerber, Leatherman, etc. I also travel to your neighborhood each month (Eindhoven) for work, and I often get to België for weekends.

Met vriendelijke groeten / Regards

Troy

[MrDagon007]

@ttfweb1 Thanks for the kind words and next time you're in Belgium, try to drink a Boon Mariage Parfait beer (2 variants, both mandatory)...

[kumaon48]

That is just the response I would expect from a Cylon 5 so How do I get knives to and from you in a totaly customs free method?

[kumaon48]

Ahem, that was Vidocq, or perhaps Vautrin.

[kumaon48]

How do I send you review samples without customs problems? How would I ensure them? What if you are Vidicq or Dr. Mabuse?

[MrDagon007]

@kumaon48 I would rather be Bourvil.

[kumaon48]

Dear Mr. Dagon, I hope you realize that now that you have created a large number of Dagon-dependent viewers in many countries, any reduction of your postings constitutes a crime against fans, and is prosecutable by the International War Crimes Tribunal at the Hague, which I believe is conveniently located for your apperhension.

[MrDagon007]

@kumaon48 Thanks for the kind words and feel free to send me review samples to increase my review rhythm !

:-)

[teekay989]

Do you know if there is a US distributor for this knife?

[MrDagon007]

@teekay989 Not that I know, but there are a number of French web shops that ship internationally. For example, google for:

Couteaux Berthier

and

Couteaux Courty

These two shops offer a wide range of French cutlery.

[pingpongme]

I always learn something new when watching your vids. If not from the review-knife, then from the side-info you always give.

Thanks!

[sgtbeefy1]

Thanks for the excellent video as always

[schbiker24]

MrD,

How would you compare the Alpin to the Chambriard Compagnon?

[MrDagon007]

@schbiker24 General quality of my Alpin and the Chambriard is similar. Chambriard is a "Le Thiers" design which lany makers offer, just as the Alpin. Some are simpler, a handful are more posh.

[samurai165]

Your videos are always a pleasure to watch.

[PavlovSandor]

an excellent example of a classic knife. ive only go to your channel to see many european knives that i dont get to see much of. and you always have a bit of history about them. that really makes the review and knife come alive.

[TheProgrammer93]

What type of knife would you recommend for opening letters?

[MrDagon007]

@TheProgrammer93 Böker have a nice damascus letter opener. Google for:

Böker Leopard Damast Brieföffner

[TheProgrammer93]

@MrDagon007 That's a beautiful knife, way out of my price range though I'm afraid. Do you think a small Opinel would suffice?

Love your videos BTW, it's great to have someone on Youtube reviewing knives that doesn't sees them as tools rather than weapons! :)

[MrDagon007]

@TheProgrammer93 Yes, a simple Opinel is a wonderful slicer and very attractive as well. And if you look around, you can find them with nice handle materials as well. Only watch out with the fragile thin tip that is easy to bend, and try to keep the handle dry or it will become difficult to open and close.

Btw, I have ZERO interest in self defense use...

[papankunci]

Yipeee!!! another new review! i've been waithing months for this one... thanks dagon!

your BIG fan from indonesia.

[fredde90210]

One thing is for sure...MrDagon has got style :-)

[BonnevilleTB7]

A great review as always. A very simple but elegant knife I like it a lot and I think it is very good value at the prices shown on your iPad. Great to have you back, I missed your reviews whilst you were away!

[KURGAN44]

Great review as always. Good to see you back! Hope you had a wonderful holiday!

[KingYaba]

I quite like these simple designs and I could see myself carrying one of those.

[1891VIC]

Very simple and beautiful pocket knife !!!

And i'm glad to see your OK man : ) because you didn't posted any new videos in a while.

[ErikNice]

Very nice review of an elegant little knife. It looks quite sturdy. Welcome back.

[tendollarword]

Gorgeous knife! Good to see another video from you.

[havoc6g]

Mr D, can you recommend were to purcha

[MrDagon007]

@havoc6g For example, google for Couteaux Berthier or Couteaux Courty and you'll find two web shops with several Alpin variants for sale.

[havoc6g]

Mr D, can you recommend a

[Axbent]

How I love French pocket knives, and this one was a really special one!

[pjansen2010]

Great review, I think the logo is the French "fleur de lis", a royal symbol

[MrDagon007]

@pjansen2010 Yes, thanks, I forgot about the symbol.

[getkaizer]

Welcome Back. I was looking forward to your knife reviews for a long time. Maybe you can describe where you purchase most of your knives (at least the french and European ones) from?

Thank you.

[getkaizer]

Welcome Back. I was looking forward to your knife reviews for a long time. Maybe you can describe where you purchase most of your knives (at least the french and European ones) from?

Thank you.

[MrDagon007]

@getkaizer The European ones: sometimes in shops, for example in Paris and Brussels, but often from various internet shops. FYI I had perfect experience with Couteaux Berthier, a reliable french webshop with MANY french knives on offer.

[area51l]

Awesome knife today!

And forgive me but I couldn't keep myself from looking at the blade reflections to try and see your face...

[MrDagon007]

@area51l I crave my privacy...

[area51l]

@MrDagon007 Ah! As you very much should.

It is my fault for being overly curious. :)

[AntonisAsc]

nice review! welcome back!

[stschmalhaus]

Good to see you back! Your channel is all about quality, not quantity. So you shouldn't be too worried about the regularity of your video productions. ;-)

What a beautiful knife the Alpin is! Very elegant! - Btw, the logo is the historical fleur-de-lis symbol that is associated with the French monarchy. There's quite an interesting Wikipedia article on this symbol.

[MrDagon007]

@stschmalhaus Yes of course, the fleur de lis, how could I have forgotten it. Cheers!

[educatorul]

welcome back. one more knife to the list!

[muzza6793]

Is there a laguoile-style knife with a locking blade & 1 hand opening? I"ve seen similar online but the handles are much thicker, spoiling the traditional look for me. * Kindly suggest you review the Enlan EL04 MCT(micarta)...a stunning hand fitting knife that looks far better in the hand than the muddy online pictures from China suggest.* I actually used an 8cro13mov China blade on some heavyish house repair work yesterday & the steel performed admirably. * Welcome back from holidays.

[MrDagon007]

@muzza6793 1. Google for:

Fontenille Pataud single hand and you'll find lovingly made laguioles with 1 hand opening and a back lock. I have a 2 hand opening back lock laguiole by them and it is a beauty. Personally I think that a laguiole is about enjoying life, hence the one hand option is for me not important on it.

2. Yes it looks rather nice, and it probably will be as good as their other recent releases as well.

[Lorbera]

Fantasic looking knife. I recently got into traditional and ethnic knives. Love your reviews.