The Laguiole is a traditional French pocket knife, named after the eponymous village in the heart of the Aubrac region, where it originally comes from. Laguiole knives combine functionality with aesthetics and are considered nowadays as a symbol of excellent craftsmanship. The slim blade shape and elegant design captivate knife enthusiasts and collectors worldwide.
At Meister Messer you will find Laguiole knives from various renowned knife makers in and around Laguiole. In addition to folding knives, our range also includes the occasional Laguiole knife set that includes table cutlery. You can read about what makes Laguiole knives so special and how to recognize a genuine Laguiole in the following guide.
Up to three functions integrated
The very first Laguiole knife was designed by Pierre-Jean Calmels in the year 1829. Early models were only equipped with one blade. The first Laguiole folding knives were actually created around [[1]]. Until then, the cutting tools were always implemented as fixed blades.
Since the 1840s, the knives initially made mainly for shepherds and farmers often also have a spike. This allows puncturing the intestine of an animal in case of colic. From the mid-19th century, many young men from the Aubrac region went to Paris to work in gastronomy. Therefore, the Laguiole was further expanded around 1880 with a corkscrew.
The Blade: Slim and elegant
Laguiole knives have a thinly ground blade that tapers very sharply towards the front end. Nowadays, mainly stainless steels such as 12c27 Sandvik steel or T12 steel are used as blade materials, which, despite their high corrosion resistance, are characterized by good hardness and edge retention. However, models with blades made of carbon steel and Damascus steel can also be found on the market.
The Bee: The trademark of the Laguiole knives
The bee - Napoleon's heraldic animal - represents the characteristic feature of the Laguiole knife. In detail, this is an ornament attached to the front end of the handle of the knife. Since this headpiece of the spring is technically referred to as a "fly" (in French "mouche"), this term is also common.
Initially, Laguiole knives had a simple metal plate instead of the bee. Only towards the end of the 19. century - when the knives were increasingly used by the upper class - did manufacturers start adding decorations. However, in addition to the bee, there are numerous other motifs that are considered typical, such as scallops, clovers, and the Cathar cross.
The shepherd's cross: Another typical characteristic of Laguiole knives
Most Laguiole knives are also equipped with a shepherd's cross, which usually consists of six nails or wire pins arranged in a cross shape. When shepherds stuck the knife into the ground, they could pray in front of the cross in this way. However, whether a Laguiole knife is an original does not depend on the presence of the shepherd's cross.
The handle: Traditionally made of natural materials
Originally, only materials available in the region were used for the handle. These include primarily locally grown woods such as juniper or oak, and cattle horn. The handle materials are still used today. Meanwhile, the range of options has become significantly wider. Nowadays, the handle is sometimes also made from exotic precious woods, buffalo or deer horn, and numerous other materials.
Many Laguiole knives feature rounded metal plates at one or both ends of the handle, known as bolsters. These serve both as decoration and as a stabilizing handle element.
How to recognize genuine Laguiole knives
Since the designation "Laguiole" does not enjoy legal protection, there are constantly emerging – sometimes very inferior – imitations, often originating from Asia and having little in common with the original. You can recognize genuine Laguiole knives by the fact that they were produced in a recognized knife factory located in or around Laguiole, such as:
- Forge de Laguiole
- Laguiole en Aubrac
- Robert David
- Goyon-Chazeau
- Fontenille Pataud
In addition to the forge's logo, the type of steel used and a reference to the place of manufacture are often stamped or engraved into the blade.
Buy Laguiole knives at Meister Messer
At Meister Messer you will find original Laguiole knives - also available in sets - from well-known French master blacksmiths such as Forge de Laguiole and Goyon-Chazeau, which are produced using traditional manufacturing processes. So discover our range now and experience the fascinating world of Laguiole knives.
