L'original (E)

This blogpost is old, but it is still relevant because this knife has been "designed" once again. I would rather call it "rediscovered." For that reason, I translated what I wrote back in 2020.

There is nothing new under the sun, but perhaps one should say that "most of it has been done before" instead. Of course, some new things are added, even if the number of actual innovations decreases. This applies, for example, to many mechanical inventions, including those connected to bicycles. An area that I am quite familiar with. For example, things that are modern now, such as full suspension or chainless bicycles, were experimented with as early as the 19th century. But the expressions above can also be applied to our dear interest in knives.

Sometimes, however, a genius comes along and thinks up something that hasn't existed before, or perhaps rather a new use for something that already existed. One of the best examples is probably Spyderco's use of a hole in the blade to open a folding knife. Holes in blades had been around before from time to time, but not with that ulterior motive. Et voila, something new and unique was born.

Sometimes the steps are not as extreme but still very typical. One such I will write about today and it is a knife called "La Griffe" or the claw as it is called in English. The creator is Frenchman Fred Perrin.

The original, Fred Perrin La Griffe Noir

That knife also does not contain anything fundamentally new, but the combination of three elements makes it very distinctive in appearance and thus unique. I

• It is a very small fixed-blade knife with a short blade, originally a Wharncliffe
• It has a so-called pistol grip
• It has a prominent hole for a finger in the blade

The finger hole is the most distinctive feature of the knife, but it was hardly the first of its kind in the world. Finger holes have been found in both knife and sword handles before in history. The appearance of this knife with these three statement details may need some explanation, but it is simply a result of the motto "form follows function". 

In this case, you may have to know something about the creator to keep up with the times. Part of the point is that Perrin is a man of many talents. In addition to being a knifemaker and designer, he is also a former commando and a lifelong practitioner of various martial arts. And this is where La Griffe comes into the picture. It also has a practical side, but it is more of a bonus. Despite its small size, it is basically a self-defense knife. For that reason, Perrin wanted a small knife that was easy to hide and carry, so that it was always available. You know, according to the idea that "the best knife is the one you have with you".

For it to be as effective as possible, it needed a solid point and a cutting edge that bites hard. But it also needed to have as secure a grip as possible for its size, hence the pistol grip. It also allows you to hide the handle inside your hand so you can thrust or jab with the knife when needed. But the main feature, the large hole, serves a dual purpose. It means that you basically can't drop the knife or be disarmed, but it also means that you can open your hand to grab someone/something while keeping the knife in your hand. It's in the latter that a practical aspect can be woven in. You can of course open a box, and then move it to take the next box without putting the knife down, even if that wasn't the main purpose.

The size of the blade also has a brutal but well-thought-out explanation. In addition to making the knife light and easy to carry, it also makes it harder to accidentally seriously injure someone. If you take a look at traditional stiletto-inspired knives like the Fairbairn/Sykes and all their modern derivatives, everything from the Gerber Mk II to modern daggers like the Extrema Ratio Suppressor or combat knives like the Ka-Bar, etc., they are large or at least long. If you stab someone with such a blade, it is not self-defense but murder, possibly manslaughter in a later trial. The risk of killing or maiming someone with a very small blade is less, according to the creator.

The talon that inspired many

Så orginalet till alla de knivar av den här typen som finns på marknaden är alltså utformat av Fred Perrin. 

Since then, there have been many copies, some clones, and several completely legitimate collaborations on the theme. Spyderco is behind some of these. They have liked holes in knife blades from the beginning and have collaborated with Fred on several occasions. Among other things through the PPT model but above all through Sal Glesser being inspired by La Griffe when he first designed SPOT and later Swick which have also been released in several generations. Since they are a reputable company, they have also paid royalties to Perrin even though they didn't have to as there is no patent.*

Cold Steel also thought the idea was cool and they also had the good taste to mention where the idea came from when they made their Point Guard. Since they are Cold Steel, after all, it naturally grew considerably in size.

In addition to Perrin's own custom versions of the knife, Warren Thomas has also made variations of this knife in his own special style where he mixes carbon fiber blades with titanium edges. This too has been done under open conditions and with mutual consent.

But then we come to those who have no decency at all. Are they Chinese, anyone think? They copy everything. Yes, there are knives with finger holes in the handle from there too, most recently from Two Sun to name a few manufacturers. But those knives are not at all like La Griffe otherwise, so there is nothing to say about them. It is simply a different knife model. The same applies to Gerber's Remix, for example, which also has a gigantic hole for the index finger. The problem is not found there, as those knives only use one of the three foundations. One that is also ancient.  

We know that shitty companies like Smith & Wesson's knife division steal wildly, so it was perhaps not unexpected that they made an "H.R.T Bear Claw." It's a La Griffe copy with a slightly straightened handle.

Well, instead, you can read about the CRKTS 2510 "Bear Claw" that Russ Kommer, who "designed" the knife, had self-defense for women in mind. They say on their website, among other things, that "He thought a knife that was easy to grip and hard to lose would be a big hit, and since he made the first Bear Claw™". So cute of them to add a little "TM" at the end when the knife in the pointed version is almost identical to the La Griffe or rather the Emerson-made version with a talon blade. The only difference is that when Ernie also thought the idea was brilliant after meeting Fred Perrin, he asked for permission. Then he added his personal touch to the model with the concave edge. Russ Kommer claims that "His original concept was a self-defense knife for woman that would be lightweight, easy to access and control".

It just happened to be a carbon copy of a La Griffe in terms of both appearance and function. As I said, there's nothing wrong with admitting where the inspiration came from, but claiming to have come up with the basic pattern yourself is just plain ridiculous.

It's not really that bad with SOG who released the "Snarl" which is a licensed version of the Brous Blades Silent Soldier. A knife that is "designed" by Jason Brous. All he did was take a La Griffe and add more finger holes and his design effort was complete. Yes, then of course M-Tech has copied them both by releasing a budget knife that looks the same but with a tanto tip. But that was only expected. They also have a pure La Griffe copy complete with a straight edge and curved pistol grip.

Recently, the more established Amare has also popped up with its A-Max , which is a straightened La Griffe.    

By this, I mean that I have nothing against individuals or companies being inspired by each other. The eternal discussion about who has actually copied who can sometimes go a bit too far, especially in online discussion forums. The knife is one of man's oldest tools and most of it has actually been made. It follows that much must be more or less like something that has existed before. But when you take such clear characteristics from other models as in the examples I have given above, it all becomes a bit ridiculous when you claim to have come up with the model yourself.

So the gist is, feel free to be inspired but tell us by whom!

/ J - doesn't straighten knives but question marks

By the way, there is no such thing for the Spyderco hole either. However, it is a TM or trademark for Spyderco, but that is another topic.