It all started when I began researching the renowned knife designer and martial artist Fred Perrin several years ago.  I had seen several of his designs on various forums and web-sites and his choice of “covert” weaponry intrigued me.

 

Primary amongst these was the LaGriffe range of weapons.  The LaGriffe, (which as the franco-philes among you will know means “Claw” in French) was a unique design when it was developed in the late 1980’s/early 90’s.

 

Fred Perrin himself has written that at the time there was nothing out there that ticked all the boxes for him.  He required a small and concealable work and defensive blade that was tough enough to withstand high levels of punishment, while still being able to keep hold of it in a violent struggle!

 

After much research and concept development the LaGriffe was launched in 1990/1.  The knife itself consists of a skeletal handle, ricasso finger hole and a single highly sharpened blade.  Small, neat, concise.  And deadly.

 

For many years I had carried a small range of quality blades of a larger length and size.  I am by no means a knife nut – the tools that I have are just that – tools.  And they are of a minimum quantity (you could count them on one hand).  They were chosen for application, quality and they were picked for a specific purpose, i.e. operational tasks.

 

However as our work issues and environments alter so we must adapt to what if any types of EDC items we choose to carry.  At the time my attire was of a more formal nature so the carrying of a larger style weapon would not be practical and/or provide the necessary discretion.

 

After much searching and testing I decided to settle on the Emerson-Perrin LaGriffe.  The knife itself seemed impossibly small, especially having trained and used much larger blades over recent years.  But once it had found its comfort spot on my hand and after an hours rigorous testing, it felt as though it had become a part of me.

 

Impressed with the design and feel of the knife, it wasn’t very long before I took the plunge and decided to order a custom made LaGriffe, direct from Fred Perrin himself.

 

I made contact with Mr. Perrin’s associate in the USA, the well respected knife designer and hand to hand combat practitioner, Laci Szabo of Szaboinc. 

 

What followed was a working relationship that inspired confidence in the “men behind the steel,” and a wide range of advice was given as to the style of LaGriffe, handle material, carry options, etc.  Basically my weapon, my specifications.

 

Several months later when the parcel arrived, I was not disappointed.  There is a definite raw quality to Fred Perrin’s work.  But, as Don Rearic has stated, there is also a warmth and character to the blade as well.  Your LaGriffe can be as unique to you as a fingerprint.

 

Let’s not pussyfoot around.  The LaGriffe is primarily a self defence knife and is designed to be used for violent application, nothing more nothing less.  Make no mistake.  This is not a long range weapon, a la knife duelling.  It is for “close in” work that it will excel with a series of slashes, cuts, gouges and rips. Exactly the scenario you may find yourself in on the street when facing a violent assault or grabbed by a larger, stronger opponent.

 

Carriage can be set up in several ways thanks to the Kydex sheath system and can be worn on the mid-line in an IWB or OWB configuration.  Alternatively it can be attached to interior jacket pockets or by means of a chain as a neck knife.  The options are there, you just need to play about with them.  I’ve tried the carry in numerous ways (depending on what I was wearing) and in ALL cases the LaGriffe remained concealed and unobtrusive.

 

Overall the LaGriffe itself is a remarkable weapon, both in concept and application and fits in superbly with the modern combatives techniques that complement it so well.  As a final point, I was lucky enough to have one of our associates “knock up” a training blade in the LaGriffe mold.  This is an essential element to providing a realistic and practical training system and tool.

 

For a more comprehensive portrait of Fred Perrin’s edged weapon designs, and in the LaGriffe in particular, I would refer the reader to several articles written by Don Rearic and posted on his excellent site www.donrearic.com or alternatively visit Laci Szabo’s site www.szaboinc.com for details of Fred Perrin’s work.

 

So there you have it.  The LaGriffe - an excellent concept and an excellent knife that stands head and shoulders above its imitators.

 

Copyright – MCG – 2009