Q: Where can I see these knives being made and purchase them?

You’re welcome to visit our workshop in Saint Nazaire, Brière! We gladly receive visitors Monday through Saturday (10h-13h and 14h-18h September-June; until 19h July-August) to discover our universe without filters: noise, dust, and good spirits! You’ll see the manufacturing process firsthand, from Morta extraction techniques to blade forging, and meet our team of passionate cutlers. No staging, no orchestration, just authentic artisanal cutlery craft in action. Can’t visit? Browse our complete handcrafted collection online and purchase directly from our website.

Question 1

What makes Couteaux Morta's handmade French pocket knives unique?

Accepted Answer

Our craft folding knives blend centuries-old tradition with exceptional materials! Each handmade pocket knife pairs Damascus steel or Sandvik blades with 5,000-year-old Morta handles, fossilized oak from the Brière marshes that no other French cutlery maker works with.
These knives handmade in France are made by hand through meticulous craftsmanship: forging, hammering, finishing, and engraving all done at our workshop in Saint Nazaire.
Every knife tells the story of Brière&#8217;s terroir and represents living French heritage. With rigorously selected quality steel (59-61 HRC hardness) and noble materials like mammoth ivory inlays, each piece is one-of-a-kind, backed by our lifetime warranty!

Question 2

What Damascus steel options and handle materials are available?

Accepted Answer

Our craft folding knife collection showcases the finest materials! For blades, Damascus steel (120-layer stainless RWL34/PMC27 or N690/DE 45NCD16 at ~60 HRC) with those beautiful flowing patterns, or premium Sandvik 14C28N stainless steel. Every handle features authentic Morta wood, precious wood with deep brown to caramel hues impossible to reproduce.
Want more refinement? Opt for handles embellished with mammoth ivory inlays (marrying two fossils: 10,000-year-old ivory with 5,000-year-old wood!) or add an elegant blue vulcanized fiber accent for modern contrast.
Each combination creates a knife that&#8217;s as much art as tool, with manufacturing quality that honors traditional craftsmanship!

Question 3

What does the lifetime guarantee cover on these handmade knives?

Accepted Answer

Every Couteaux Morta knife is guaranteed for life against manufacturing defects! This lifetime warranty reflects our uncompromising commitment to quality and traditional craftsmanship.
We rigorously select our materials, from quality steel to noble Morta wood, and craft every knife made by hand at our workshop.
Because we extract the Morta ourselves and control every production step, we stand behind our work for generations.

Question 4

How are these folding knives made and what makes them artisanal?

Accepted Answer

True artisanal cutlery means traditional methods and hands-on craftsmanship! At our Brière workshop, skilled craftsmen and craftswomen perform every step by hand: forging, hammering, finishing, blade engraving, and handle fitting.
Our folding knife collection follows centuries-old tradition, from selecting rigorously selected steel to hand-finishing each blade. The Damascus patterns? Hand-forged from multiple layers.
The Morta handles? We extract the fossilized oak ourselves from Brière marshes under strict environmental protocols. Every knife was born from this meticulous process, taking days to complete. No mass production shortcuts, no compromise on quality, just authentic French knife-making craft!

Question 5

Can I personalize my handmade French pocket knife with engraving?

Accepted Answer

Absolutely! Personalization transforms your folding knife into a deeply personal heirloom. We offer blade engraving with several artistic styles :

add a name (up to 8 characters),
a meaningful message,
choose from pictograms designed by Baulois artist Nicolas Peyron representing passions like boats, anchors, musical notes, roses, or hearts.

This engraving makes every knife a unique piece perfect for marking life&#8217;s milestones: marriages, retirements, coming-of-age celebrations.
When gifting a knife, the recipient traditionally offers a coin in exchange! This centuries-old custom transforms the &#8220;gift&#8221; into a symbolic &#8220;purchase,&#8221; preventing the blade from &#8220;cutting&#8221; the bonds of friendship or love between giver and receiver. 
As French tradition honors passing down knives from generation to generation, custom engraving makes every knife tell your family&#8217;s story.

Question 6

How do I maintain my Damascus or carbon steel pocket knife?

Accepted Answer

Proper care ensures your knife develops that beautiful patina!

For Damascus steel blades (stainless), clean with a damp cloth and mild soap, then dry immediately, easy maintenance for everyday use.
For carbon steel, wipe clean and dry after each use to develop that protective blue-gray patina naturally.

The Morta handle? Never submerge in water! This fossilized wood spent 5,000 years buried in wet peat and now prefers staying dry. A soft, dry cloth is all you need. Carefully oiled at our workshop, the handle develops its own unique patina from your hand&#8217;s warmth over time.
To sharpen your knife, use a natural whetstone following traditional methods, maintaining that exceptional edge!

Question 7

Where can I see these knives being made and purchase them?

Accepted Answer

You&#8217;re welcome to visit our workshop in Saint Nazaire, Brière! We gladly receive visitors Monday through Saturday (10h-13h and 14h-18h September-June; until 19h July-August) to discover our universe without filters: noise, dust, and good spirits!
You&#8217;ll see the manufacturing process firsthand, from Morta extraction techniques to blade forging, and meet our team of passionate cutlers. No staging, no orchestration, just authentic artisanal cutlery craft in action.
Can&#8217;t visit? Browse our complete handcrafted collection online and purchase directly from our website.

Question 8

What makes the Morta handle so special compared to other materials?

Accepted Answer

5,000-year-old fossilized oak found only in Brière marshes!
Unlike synthetic materials or common wood, this precious wood carries geological history: ancient oaks fell during upheavals, were swallowed by peaty soil, and fossilized over millennia, developing deep brown-to-caramel hues from the peat layers.
Only 10-20% of each trunk is usable, and extraction follows strict environmental protocols with the Grande Brière Mottière Commission and regional natural park.
No other cutler works this material, making every Morta knife one-of-a-kind with unique grain patterns. Beyond beauty, it offers superior grip, durability, and develops personal patina. Choosing Morta means carrying history, supporting local terroir, and owning a piece of Brière&#8217;s living heritage!

Question 9

Are these French folding knives suitable for daily use and outdoor activities?

Accepted Answer

Of course, versatility defines our handmade pocket knives! These french pocket knives transition seamlessly from elegant table companions (slicing meats and cheeses with precision) to outdoor workhorses.
Take them camping, hunting, fishing, or hiking, the robust construction, secure locking mechanism, and high-performance steel (minimum 59 HRC hardness) handle demanding tasks. The folded compact profile protects the blade while the full-tang variants offer exceptional robustness.
Our Damascus and stainless options provide rust-resistant performance in humid conditions, while carbon steel develops that protective patina over time. Whether it&#8217;s your everyday carry, picnic essential, or bushcraft tool, these knives are made for a lifetime of daily use!

Question 10

What's included when I purchase a Couteaux Morta folding knife?

Accepted Answer

Your handmade french pocket knife arrives as a complete artisan piece! Each knife includes a signed certificate detailing blade steel type, Morta origin, and unique production number, guaranteeing authenticity from our handcrafted collection.
We offer optional leather sheaths for optimal protection and elegant carrying. The lifetime warranty is standard on every knife, covering manufacturing quality for generations.

Handmade pocket knives

Morta knife lock back

Morta knife lock back « Paint it Black »

Morta Knife Lock Back as Forged

Morta Knife Lock Back Damas

Solid Morta

Solid Morta as forged

Solid Morta Damascus

WHEN TO USE

A FOLDING KNIFE ?

WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF

FOLDING KNIVES

MORTA FOLDING KNIVES

PRODUCING DURABLE AND ROBUST MODELS

Frequently asked questions