Since Les Fines Lames hit the shops in 2015, cigar lovers were intrigued about this unique and beautiful product. Not only was the “cigar knife” a very attractive product, but it combined the cigar cutter and pocket, all while being 100% designed and made in France.
In the cigar accessories world, one can get lost with all the various brands, designs and price points. It is safe to say that Les Fines Lames with their cigar knife, have found a niche and marked its place in the sector.
Our online shop, www.FourteenNinetyTwo.com is now a proud official retailer of Les Fines Lames. And so, we thought it would be fun to catch up with the Brand Content Manager Fabien Kerneis and learn more about what makes the French brand so special.
Below is an excerpt of the conversation with Mr. Kerneis. Here is a LINK to LES FINES LAMES products on our online shop.
Antonio Marsillo / 1492: You offer a lifetime warranty on your cutters. That is a tall order to stand by. What makes you so confident in the quality to be able to offer this. Outstanding warranty?
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: The quality of the blade we provide is what makes us so confident in our cigar cutter. It may sound outstanding, but to us, it makes perfect sense to offer a lifetime warranty, as long as the product is used properly.
Sandvik’s 14C28N Stainless Steel is one of the best steels you can find. Best of all, our knives are made in Thiers, which has been the cutlery capital of France for centuries.
Unlike a traditional policy, our lifetime warranty does not remove the product from the owner’s hands. After qualifying the case, we do send spare sparts as our product is completely modular.
It is important to note that the warranty must be activated when you receive the product, with the code provided in each box.
Over 28,000 sold, we had 5 after sale cases.
Antonio / 1492: One of the objectives and ideologies of your company is to offer a high-quality item, 100% made in France, and at an attractive price. Given the global economy being at such a strange place, are you finding it challenging to maintain such a “affordable” price point?
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: At Les Fines Lames, our philosophy is to be unconventional and innovative with our products, but also with our communication. This mindset brings a lot of challenges, so yes, let’s say we like challenges.
First challenge completed: as aficionados, we realized that it was impossible to find on the market a product 100% made in France, at the public price of $150. All or part of the existing offer was made in Asia until $400. We are glad to say that our business model allows us today to be the only brand to offer this mix of quality and price.
The question of price is important to us, as we want to be affordable for all cigar lover. That’s why our products starts at $69 for the bracelet – also made in France with 316L stainless steel like the luxury watches – and go up to $850 for our highest end product, the 18K gold plated LE PETIT with Damascus blade.
Antonio / 1492: Tell us about Thiers. Why is it so important and what does having the blades made there offer the client?
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: For more than 600 years, knives have been made in Thiers, notably for the Royals family in the 18th century. Today, the city is at the origin of 80% of all Made in France knives with more than 80 small and medium companies. The city has always been cited as an example for the know-how of its craftsmen and the rarely equaled quality of its production. Such as Solingen in Germany, or Maniago in Italy. It’s a cultural heritage and a tradition that you can have in your pocket with LE PETIT.
Antonio / 1492: With the Cigar Knife, you managed to combine 2 essential items for the cigar aficionado. Recently, you seemed to have accomplished the same with the Punch bracelet. It combines a very stylish bracelet with a practical punch cutter. How has the reaction been for that product?
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: The Punch Bracelet has been getting a lot of love since it came out. Like many good ideas, it’s a simple one but it’s one to think about. That’s the main comment we get actually, followed by the convenience of the PUNCH BRACELET, which is always ready to use and approved at any airport control checks. Remove your watch but not your PUNCH BRACELET.
A fashionable accessory, ready to be used anywhere. Someone had to think of it, and we’re proud to say it was us!
Antonio / 1492: Any other “2 in 1” products that are in the short term pipeline?
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: There is actually a new “2 in 1” product coming in 2023.
But for now, we’re keeping quiet about this next product, and I’ll look forward to talking with you about it next year!
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Antonio / 1492: Let’s talk cigars. What are some of your go to cigars? Cigars that you know will not disappoint and are a personal favorite.
FABIEN KERNEIS / LES FINES LAMES: Sharing a booth at the PCA in Las Vegas with German Engineered Cigars, we had the chance to taste their entire selection and I must say that the Raum Zeit is definitely a cigar to try!
I can’t not talk about the Lancero from Joya de Nicaragua. I simply love it! If I go Cuban, the Hoyo de Monterrey Epicure N°2 is my usual go-to, it was also my first cigar ever.
Thank you guys, take care.
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