I remember reading somewhere about a picnic knife / pocket knife kind of thing that was described as a "uniquely French" or something along those lines.
Anyone know what I am talking about?
thanks!

You're probably referring to the Laguiole (pronounced "layol&quot knives.

http://www.laguiole.com/index2.htm

Laguiole?

"Where to buy..."
http://www.fodors.com/forums/threads...p;tid=34997766

Laguiole makes a picnic knife
http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew.com/picknifros.html

Yikes! those knives look gorgeous... but it's a much more high end product than I recall (it was in the context of "an interesting affordable souvenir&quot. Maybe I'm combining more than one article in my recollection...

Got it! Opinel knives (looks like they are closer to 10E than 100E!) Does that sound like I have the right thing?

thansk!

Apples and oranges, Canada. The traditional Opinel was an inexpensive pocket knife with an inexpensive beechwood handle.
I have one and though they are wonderful the carbon blade requires attention to keep an edge and will tarnish and rust easily. (maybe perfect for a picnic knife pay attention to these things).

Opinel knives are as iconically French as waiter's corkscrews, berets, bicycles and baguettes, or gunpowder-strong cigarettes. Just remember to turn the metal locking ring when you open it, or you will get blood all over your sandwiches when it collapses on your hand!

Opinel is a brand name that has entered the language as a generic, like Kleenex or Scotch tape. If you're cool, though, you'll get a real Opinel. It's not a picnic without one.

See http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Opinel_knife

The opinel is what I buy for gifts. They are very sharp and they fold.
You can buy th plain wooden handles)is what I like) or some that are decorated.

hi, canada -

I strongly suggest that you put anything like this in your checked luggage, if you want to get futher than the airport security at your destination airport!

I've had a couple of opinel knives to use in the garden but they rust so quickly they're a bit of a waste of money, IMO.

the laguiole knives look lovely but like you, I can't afford one.

How about a common or garden swiss army knife? they have enough attachments to meet any picnic needs.

regards, ann

Excuse me but, are you talking about
OPINEL knives?

bkm

thanks to all!
fnarf - cool and iconic is what we would be going for, so that sounds like what we want!
robjame - apples and truffles by the looks of it
annhig - we are planning on "carry on only" on the way there, and figure we will have bought stuff so will need to check on the way back so absolutely - knives to be checked!
thanks!

We just returned from Provence and one of the first village markets we went to was in Gordes and there was a gentleman selling wonderful knives. Don't remember the brand name of them but we bought one to use the rest of the trip for cutting cheese, bread, sausage, fruit. We bought another "nicer" one to take back to our son. It's cool to wait til you get there and buy your knife - that way it will be a keepsake.