Fred Perrin: "La Griffe" (Neck Knife)

[blues]

Here's one I haven't pulled out and worn in a while...

This is a rare "griffe" knife by Fred Perrin. I have a handful of knives and oddities made by Fred, the majority of which I picked up while visiting him in Paris some years ago.

This particular knife I picked up from Laci Szabo during a visit to his place in Miami back in the 90's.

Fred's griffe makes a great lightweight neck knife in its kydex sheath with bead chain. The whole thing weighs about 2 3/4 oz. and is 5 1/2 end to end. This is one of his bigger griffe knives. Usually they feature a drop point blade and are somewhat shorter in length. Blade steel is 1095.

Practical for daily tasks or self defense, when one's index finger is placed through the hole while gripping, it's very difficult to disarm or dislodge. The whole rig virtually disappears, even under a thin shirt, making it very easy to have with you at all times.

[Wondering Beard]

Very nice.

I only have the Emerson version, it's more limited in its uses sadly.

I really like what Perrin designs, especially Lacy brings it out.

[1slow]

Laci Szabo brings in a lot of Perrin's stuff.

[blues]

Laci Szabo brings in a lot of Perrin's stuff.

They've had a relationship for many years. I drove up to the Blade Show with Fred and Laci in 1998 when I was still living and working in South FL.
The following year spent a couple of weeks in Paris and environs with Fred and mutual friends. (Including Fred's old shop which was in his aunt's home.)

A unique character. Sometime I'll tell the story of how Fred was the cause of my first internal affairs investigation. (Yes, I was cleared. )

[Dagga Boy]

I carried both the Perrin and Emerson versions a lot back in the late 90's to mid 2000's. My favorite of the Perrin stuff was a street Bowie I had. Got offered some stupid money for my Perrin's and sold them. They were rough on quality, great on design.

[Wondering Beard]

Spyderco now makes a Street Bowie and I believe Lacy Szabo offers a Mid Tech version. They both look good.

[blues]

I carried both the Perrin and Emerson versions a lot back in the late 90's to mid 2000's. My favorite of the Perrin stuff was a street Bowie I had. Got offered some stupid money for my Perrin's and sold them. They were rough on quality, great on design.

This is Fred's personal "Tribal Griffe" which he took off his neck and gave to me in Paris. It's forged and is also unusual in that it is v ground instead of chisel...



This one was made for me while in France. We named it the "Metro" or "Subway Bowie". Good for pocket or neck carry:



(Please forgive the old, crappy, low res images)


I haven't carried Fred's knives in quite some time but I think they are overdue.

[Wondering Beard]

That Metro looks like an ancestor to today's Street beat.

[blues]

Could be, WB. Fred sure likes to make a lot of variations on a theme. The Metro was born 17 years ago. He's had a lot of time with that fiendish mind of his to play with the concept.

[Wondering Beard]

Fiendish mind is right :-)