Folding blades ("French clasp knives")

1. Introduction

The French clasp knife found in New-France was one of the earliest known type of knife to be introduced to the New World as far back as the 1600's and possibly earlier.  Many blades for this type of knife have been recovered from various sites that were occupied by or influenced by the French throughout New-France's territory that extended from Louisiana to Canada.  With the advent of the fur trade, many French "coureur des bois" traded these types of knives with the native Indians for furs or simply as a mere gift to strengthen economical and political ties with various tribes in order to stimulate trade. These were along with belt knives the first type of knives given to the Indians within French territory.

Who used them? For what purpose?

Coureur des bois, Native Indians, Voyageurs, New France inhabitants, soldiers etc.

Most French Canadian habitants used these types of knives to eat.  Philippe Aubert de Gaspé in the "Anciens Canadiens" published in 1863 tels us that they were still being used in the first part of the 19th century. 

"The habitants used, up until 50 years ago, their pocket knives during meals; the men, with "leaded" knives.  A blacksmith would make the blade; the wooded handles would be decorated with pewter inlays, and because it wasn't equipped with a spring, the user would have to constantly be holding down the blade with his thumb.   The habitants would use these knives with great skill, but novices would often pinch their thumb in the process; some practice was necessary".⁴

According to Sidney Breeze (1814: 197-198), French inhabitants in the Illinois Country did not have table knives.  Frontier living was one of constant danger, therefore, "each man and woman carried a large, dagger-like clasp knife for protection, usually dangling on a little chain fastened to the ceinture or belt.  This knife doubled for table use.⁷

Peter Kalm (1716-1779) was a Finnish clergyman and part time botanist who traveled to North America during the years 1748-51. Kalm kept a journal as he travelled throughout the wilds of French North America.  Here Peter Kalm comments on French Canadian table customs:

"The most popular custom here (in New-France), as a guest or at home, consists of placing on the table, beside the plate, spoon and fork; everyone must however use their own knife.  As soon as they are seated, each person takes out their knife from their pants or skirt pockets." ⁸

Interesting fact regarding knives in France at that period : "Cardinal Richelieu, then Prime Minister of France under Louis XIII, was entertaining one evening when a nobleman used a sharp knife to pick his teeth after a meal. Disgusted, Richelieu ordered the tips of all knives in inventory to be ground down." 

*Type 6 is most likely the result of  this.

How do you use a 17th or 18th century French clasp knife?

It has a single folding blade with a protruding catch on the tangs of the blade.   When the knife is open, the protruding catch rests on the back of the handle preventing it from swiveling further back.  In order to prevent from shutting, the thumb is placed on the protruding catch on the back of the handle.  It's as easy as that!!!!

The blade used on the model below is an authentic French 18th century blade dug up in and around Fort Michilimackinac and stamped (IEAN B. TIVET). Rehandled recently using the Louisbourg specimen style clasp knife handle.