We make you discover the multiple stages of manufacture to finalize a Nontron knife. The Nontron cutlery perpetuates a regional cutlery know-how that has been passed down from generation to generation and is the pride of the village of Nontron.

Forging

The blades of our Nontron folding knives are shaped like a sage leaf. These blades are available in unalterable T12 steel, in XC75 carbon steel or also in damascus carbon steel.

The T12 steel is a French steel manufactured in the Bonpertuis steelworks in Isère. This steel is less sensitive to oxidation than carbon steel.

The XC75 carbon steel is sensitive to oxidation but easier to sharpen.

T12 steel and XC75 carbon steel blades are hot forged. Once forged, the blades undergo different heat treatments that guarantee an exceptional quality of steel.

We also offer on some models a damascus carbon steel resulting from a forging technique that consists in stacking different layers of steel in alternation.

The blades of our table knives and paring knives from Nontronnaise Cutlery are made of stainless steel.

Sawing

All materials used for our knives are carefully selected. We source them as close as possible. For exotic woods, we use professionals who respect environmental commitments.

For the handles of our Nontron knives, we use different materials: boxwood, other precious woods, but also more contemporary materials like compressed fabric, Dica® or Corian®.

Boxwood is a tree that is very present in the Périgord Vert and has been used to make knife handles since the end of the 18th century. After a minimum of four years in the open air dryer of the Nontronnaise cutlery factory, the blond boxwood branches are cut into quillons. These blanks are then turned with a special tool to give them the shape of the desired handle, then finished by hand.

The handle of the Nontron folding knife can end in a carp tail, a hoof or a ball. It can also end on a double ferrule.

Assembly

Once the metal parts have been made and the handles pre-cut, we move on to the assembly that will give birth to the Nontron knife.

Five main steps, among a total of forty, are necessary to assemble a Nontron knife with a ferrule:

  • installation of the fixed ferrule
  • assembling of the blade
  • riveting of the nail
  • assembling of the turning ferrule
  • fixing of the top disc

Woodburning

Symbol of the Nontron knife, the pyrography is the original signature present on almost all our boxwood models. Pyrography comes from the practice of woodcarving by burning.

The knifemaker uses two irons to make the pyrography: one for the dotted lines and another for the flies. These flies, signs of recognition of Nontron knives, are present on all the length of the handle. Thus, a traditional Nontron folding knife is generally adorned with 4 rows of dots and 5 flies.

Finishing

Once the knife is assembled and pyrographed, the same knifemaker works on perfecting it: sanding and polishing the handle, adjusting the blade (polishing, centering and tightening), sharpening.

Quality control

Before being shipped or put on sale, each knife must go through quality control.

After a precise and meticulous cleaning, each knife will be checked and verified one by one by hand.

If the slightest problem is detected, the knife will automatically be sent back to the knife maker for repair.

We have at heart to perpetuate the tradition of knifemaking which has been our passion for almost 100 years.