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Sabatier ‘Four-Star Elephant’ Knives by Thiers-Issard
A brief introduction -

Firstly, that name - Sabatier. It is a fact that several companies share the right to use the ‘Sabatier’ name - the word in itself has no meaning but has come to represent a type of high-quality kitchen knife typically made in France. However, ONLY Thiers-Issard uses the ‘Four-Star Elephant’ logo and this distinguishes the Sabatier knives that we stock. . As we are also stockists of a range of Thiers-Issard straight razors (www.thiers-issard.co.uk) we are familiar with the quality of steel and finish offered by Thiers-Issard and it is our honest belief that these are amongst the finest French made kitchen knives available today.

PLEASE NOTE: Delivery: please allow 28 days delivery for your knife or knives - they are all made to order and,whilst this may be at odds with our modern world, we still think that the best is worth waiting for!

Typical handle, here seen in beautiful ‘red stamina’ (laminated and treated rosewood), showing full length tang. The laminations can be clearly seen.

Side view of handle, showing triple riveting points that give exceptional strength and durability - a key feature of Thiers-Issard knives.

We intend to offer Thiers-Issard Four-Star Elephant Sabatier knives in both stainless steel and carbon steel, with various choices of handles and styles. As there are many combinations - and we wish to establish this site as soon as possible! - we will be initially offering The French style Carbon steel and Stainless steel knives with either red stamina handles - a great favourite - or simple black nylon handles.

As the site matures we will also be offering handles in Green Stamina, Olivewood and white Micarta - see some examples below!

Also available to order is the ‘Nogent’ style of knife - now rarely seen - that was popular before the Second World War. Pre-war French chefs' knives were typically Nogent style, that is with a tang that is inserted into a one piece handle, rather than riveted scales like the best knives of today. Sabatier Nogent knives are all carbon steel knives that have been ground by Thiers-Issard from pre-war forgings in their collection. These knives are of historical importance and when these are gone there will be no more.. If you are interested in this style of knife please email us for further details and availability.

All knives that we will be offering will be of the French pattern, which gives a slimmer blade than the German-style knives and is generally acknowledged to be superior in use.

So please do have a look at the styles on offer and remember that each and every one is made by a master craftsman in time-honoured fashion - no short cuts, no mass production!

If you have any questions regarding Thiers-Issard Four-Star Elephant Sabatier knives, please do contact us by filling in the form below - and no, we won’t share your details with anyone. Period.

Sabatier ‘Four-Star Elephant’knives by Thiers-Issard are offered in two distinctly different types:

1. Stainless steel

Stainless steel knives stay sharp, bright, and shiny, and their edge is tremendously durable. If you are looking for knives that retain their edge year after year, these are the choice for you.

2. Carbon steel.

Sabatier carbon steel knives are known for their razor-like edge and mottled patina. While carbon steel blades may require a bit more care than stainless steel, they are often the professional chef's choice for a precision cut and an edge that stays true and sharp with basic maintenance.

Thiers-Issard, whose handcrafted knives have been forged in Thiers for over a hundred and fifty years is one of the few remaining companies that still make pure carbon steel knives. These knives, forged out of a single core of steel provide the perfect balance and alignment that many professionals value so highly.

A point to note: Thiers-Issard make a distinction between kitchen knives and table knives. Certain of their knives that will be mainly used at table - the tomato knife and bread knife for example - are only available in stainless steel for two reasons. Firstly, the enduring brightness of stainless steel is better for appearances’ sake and secondly the hand-cut micro-teeth and serrations in these types of knife do not lend themselves to daily sharpening as in carbon blades - the stainless steel however will keep its edge indefinitely.

Above: the hand-filed micro-teeth of a tomato knife can here be seen quite clearly - its cutting ability is greatly enhanced by their inclusion along the edge.

A closer look at the hilt and bolster - here the quality of workmanship is obvious.

Sets are also available in fitted boxes as shown above.

Green Stamina - here seen on a stainless steel bread knife - is an unusual and striking alternative!

Again, the quality of workmanship speaks for itself - built to last a lifetime.

Black Nylon may not be the most flamboyant of materials - but its durability is beyond doubt.

No compromise here - even the ‘workaday’ black nylon handles are triple-riveted!

Handle and blade detail - simple elegance

The patterning of the wood will of course differ on each knife - making each unique!

White micarta is a material whose durability is matched by its beauty - photos simply do not do it justice.

Here it is plain to see the layers that go to make up micarta - originally made of layers of linen bonded in resin - now revealed as the handle is shaped to fit.

‘Nogent’ style paring knife - note the ‘collar’ at the hilt rather than the one-piece hilt of the modern knives above. Here the ‘rat-tail’ tang is bonded securely into the handle. A truly historic piece.

PLEASE NOTE -

If you are having a problem with your Thiers-Issard four-star elephant Sabatier knife, we will be pleased to help - just contact us on the form below. If however your knife does NOT bear the Thiers-Issard trademark shown below then I’m afraid we cannot help, as it was made by one of the other cutlers who -as mentioned at the top of this page - legally use the name ‘ Sabatier’. In this case we suggest referring to this link in Wikipedia that may assist.