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Eloi
In the nineteenth century, the region of Nogent-en-Bassigny became an important center for French Cutlery. By 1880, more than six thousand people were manufacturing knives, scissors, surgical instruments, nail nippers and hand tools. Each community had its specialty. Biesles, situated 10 km from Nogent, became the center for luxury items, folding knives and cigar cutters. Charles Louis Eloi Pernet belonged to the third generation of knife makers in Biesles. In 1901, he became an apprentice in a local cutlery. It was not until 1920 that Eloi decided to establish his own factory, Eloi Pernet. With a small group of the best artisans he could find, Eloi quickly became renown for its craft.
In 1925, Eloi won the " Meilleur Ouvrier de France " (best Craftsman of France) award for a multiblade knife. The following year, he and his artisans again won the " Meilleur Ouvrier de France " award. The world began to take notice as Hermès, Dupont, Vuitton and Dunhill all sought Eloi's fine craftsmanship. By 1937, Pernet had won first price in the "Arts & Techniques" contest in the "Exposition Universelle de Paris". In 1959, Eloi obtained the " Médaille d’or du label Qualité France " (gold medal of "quality France"). Charles Louis Pernet died in 1963, leaving behind a unique discipline for quality and fine craftsmanship.
Today, Eloi continues its long-lived work in Nogent. With a hand-full of highly skilled craftsmen, Eloi has been able to maintain the precision, elegance and quality which has distinguished it, preserving the 1920 Art Déco style which have brought Eloi Pernet to fame so many years ago.
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