Coutellia 2022

Fortunately, we can also add the Coutellia in Thiers to the ever-growing list of knife shows that could be held again after two years of Covid. The show, which was held on 28 and 29 May this year, had 250 participants, ranging from knife makers to material suppliers, and attracted no less than 6400 visitors. There were also several changes.
 
Text: Bas Martens, Pictures: Félix de Malleray
 

Perhaps the most important change was the fact that the Coutelia had moved - not far, a few hundred metres, but it was a farewell to the traditional venue of the salle polyvalente Cognet. It had a number of drawbacks. It leaked, but also caused a division among the exhibitors: the French knife makers were in the hall, the foreign knife makers in tents, and not everyone was happy with that division. The accommodation is now in large tents, in a spacious layout.
Coutellia 2022 had its usual awards (the public prize, jury prize and "Prix Coutellia"). The Prix Coutellia was won by master Jean-Pierre Martin, the jury prize by Jérôme Lamic, and the public prize by Ianis Fortin. Tim Bernard got the “Prix Groupama”,  awarded by assurance company Groupama.
In addition this year saw the first "Damascus World Cup" competition. Six teams of two or three persons were given the same basic materials and then had three hours to make a damask blade. The blades were judged by their creativity, aesthetics, technique, quality and expression. The first prize was won by a team of forgers from Bretagne, from the Hispamébro association. The team consisted of Cédric Lamballais, Gérard Almuzara and Éric Raoult. Apparently, the Damascus World Cup will be an annual side-event.
Coutellia 2023 will be held on 20 and 20 May.
 

Jean-Pierre Martin (Prix Coutellia) and Tim Bernard (Prix Groupama)
 

 

Ianis Fortin won the public’s prize.
 

The Jury prize went to Jerôme Lamic.
 

The Prix Coutellia went to master Jean-Pierre Martin.
 

Tim Bernard won the Groupoma award.
 

The participants of the Damascus World Cup competition.
 

from the Hispamébro association.
 

of pearl inlays.
 

The handle is patinated bone.
 

 

A back lock folder by Christian Penot. Damask blade, Titanium chassis with Mother of Pearl inlays.
 

“Nonnie’N’Clyde” by Emmanuel Benoist. Geometrical Damask blade and handle.
 

 

 

A Santoku by Éric Albarado. A sumingashi VG10 blade, Titanium bolster and stabilised Birch bass handle.
 

The “41” by Frédéric Collin. D2 blade with a stonewash finish and Fatcarbon handle scales.
 

 

 

The “Morlock” by Frédéric Augé. Back lock folder with a 90MCV8 blade and Desert Ironwood handle.
 

 

handle scales.
 

engraved by Mehdi Hargallaoui. The knife comes with a meteorite bead.
 

 

 

A fixed blade by Pierre-Henri Monnet.
 

bolsters and mammoth ivory handle scales.
 

and coloured sheet metal.
 

inlaid with22 carat Gold and Mother of Pearl.
 

Oyster knife by Paolo Simoës. The blade is 14CN28 and the handle is stabilised Philippine Mango wood.
 

The blade is wild carbon Damask, the brass handle is engraved by Mali Irié Cros.
 

the handle scales are Mammoth tooth.