Paring knife Origine 1929 - OOPreOr

The Story Behind the 1929 Collection: When Creative Freedom Reawakens Tradition

A Legacy, A Vision It all began in 1929. In Thiers, the French capital of cutlery, a visionary woman named Jeanne Fontenille Pataud founded the House that still bears her name today. For decades, our workshop forged its reputation on excellence, precision, and respect for noble materials. While we established ourselves as a global benchmark for high-end pocket knives, one part of our history remained dormant: the culinary world.

For over 40 years, the anvils at Fontenille Pataud have not rung out for gastronomy. We needed a compelling reason to return. We needed a spark.

The "Top Knife" Challenge: Carte Blanche for the Workshop At Fontenille Pataud, we are convinced that our cutlers are not merely production workers, but true artists. This conviction gave birth to our annual internal competition: the "Top Knife."

The rules of the game are simple, yet almost daunting: Carte Blanche. For the duration of the contest, we free our artisans from the usual production constraints. No technical specifications, no budget limits, no marketing directives. Just one instruction: "Create the knife of your dreams. The one you would love to use at home, the one that embodies your craftsmanship."

From the Workbench to Your Kitchen During the latest edition dedicated to tableware, the creative energy in the workshop was palpable. Our artisans delved into the House’s archives, reinterpreted ancient lines, and tested new ergonomics. They worked by instinct, guided by the movement of the hand and the nature of the material.

From this creative effervescence, two concepts stood out as self-evident. They looked like nothing else on the market, yet they were undeniably "Fontenille Pataud."

• One embodied refinement and the jewelry-like precision of fine cutlery: it would become the Signature 1929 range.

• The other breathed authenticity and the noble ruggedness of our origins: it would become the Origine 1929 range.

Coming Full Circle These knives were not born in a design studio, but in the expert hands of those who create them. By naming these collections "1929," we have come full circle. We celebrate the year Jeanne laid the foundation stone, and we honor the unbridled creativity of our artisans today.

Here is the fruit of our history and our passion. Welcome back to the kitchen with Fontenille Pataud.e Lombard knife embodies both heritage and innovation. Designed by Adrien Giovaninetti on the occasion of his arrival in Auvergne, this model is a tribute to Lombard, the village where he settled to perfect his art of cutlery. The village is said to have taken its name from the Italian origins (Lombardy) of the Sabatier family, craftsmen who left their mark on the history of French cutlery. This knife, designed during an inter-apprentice competition organized by the Rotary Club, reflects both Adrien's passion for cutlery and his attachment to music, particularly jazz, a nod to the Rue des Lombards in Paris.

Design inspired by French tradition

The Lombard model draws its inspiration from the classic shapes of the Capucin and Laguioles straight Yssingeaux knives, two symbols of French cutlery. The blade, in the shape of a sage leaf, is designed to be non-aggressive, evoking an elegant style suited to the art of the table.

A balance between tradition and modernity

With its meticulous, harmonious design, highlighted by a corbin beak and elegant curves, the Lombard offers a modern aesthetic while paying homage to traditional techniques. Its precise, handcrafted mechanism reflects the great mastery of Thierno cutlery and perpetuates local culture, reinforcing the idea of continuity with previous generations.

Marketed by Adrien since October 2015, the Lombard knife is an obvious choice, at the crossroads of tradition and innovation, while celebrating the links between regions and cultures.

For generations at Fontenille Pataud, our artisans have traditionally handcrafted exceptional knives, upholding the customs of the city of Thiers.

Every day, each of our cutlers strives to create a durable object specifically for you—a companion that will remain by your side, day after day.

The Origine 1929 kitchen knife collection is the result of the dedicated work of our entire team of skilled and passionate cutlers. We hope you derive as much pleasure from using these knives as we did from creating them.