Well done, Jean!

Luca (especially) :

 

I give you more information now, without waiting to find time to be more complete. To be brief, then: H.D.’s Laguiole knives are great:

http://www.layole.com/index-uk.php

 

But:

1) I was told that they purchase their Standard range knives from other manufacturers (in Thiers); this range is not particularly interesting (H. D. also markets branded Joker Laguiole, made in Spain) O.K. – just O.K.

2) To my taste, the handles on the Prestige range are too thick, too heavy for a Laguiole knife, which should remain rather slim :

3) The same applies to certain models of the Première Collection, which I think are also too ornate:

 

5) In contrast, full handle patterns seem perfect in 11 cm

 

 

or 12 cm:

 

However, Fontenille-Pataud also produces what you are seeking for:

 

http://www.fontenille-pataud.com/traditional-models-without-corkscr...

 

and I love them very much.

 

But there are also other beautiful Laguiole in lesser-known producers:

 

http://www.coutelleriearto.com/laguiole-c-37.html?osCsid=7jikb4j5tv...

 

You should come and visit them.

 

Jean, I'll try to post a picture of the knives latter. Thanks for bringing them up for everyone to see.

That's perfectly exact : "Laguioles", especially cheap ones, even sold by French companies, are mostly made in China - some of which can be rather good EDC, and some NOT : be careful, look twice.

You can find this kind of stuff on eBay (not cheap!) :

 

...at €200. Don't buy at €20, even not at €2 (to much for this bad joke)!

I heard that the name Laguiole was not trade mark registered. They are being copied by companies in China and it's legal. A person will have to be very careful when ordering a Laguiole. I know this because I have one of both. I don't want to scare anyone from getting a Laguiole, just becareful.

We have a few Laguiole also.  I will try to find them in the safe and put pics on this weekend.  I love them.  The pictures above on the Yssigeaux pattern are exquisite.  The form on them looks very user friendly for smaller hands like myself

Jean, that's it I think it's some type of Juniper wood. It had a name for the type. Thanks buddy.

Bob : It's really hard to say without seeing pics, or without smelling the wood. You certainly  would have recognized birch or walnut. Has it a strong, pleasantly spicy, smell? I would bet for Pricky Juniper wood (Latin:  Juniperus oxycedrus; French: genévrier cade):

 

 Does it look like this?

Luca: Yes, the top-end Laguioles  of Honoré Durand are really TOP-END, especially since  Jean-Marc CAYRON ("Meilleur Ouvrier de France" 2007) is working for them…  I try to give you more precisions in the coming days.

Guys maybe ya'll could help me. The Laguiole knife that I have is made of wood from a tree that grows at the tree line in the Alps. I wonder if ya'll would know what it is?