Laguiole Knives & Cutlery Australia
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Is Laguiole a brand and are Laguiole knives genuine?
Traditionally, Laguiole refers to a style of folding pocket knife first produced in the town of Laguiole in the Aveyron region of southern France. Today, the Laguiole name is used by many manufacturers for a recognisable style of knives and cutlery. It is not a single brand, company or trade name, and Laguiole-style products are manufactured in different places. Therefore, there is no single “real” or “fake” Laguiole—there are well-made and poorly made products. Quality should be judged by the manufacturer, origin, steel, construction, thickness, handle materials, finish, food-safety information and warranty.
Is Louis Thiers Laguiole Worth Buying?
Louis Thiers Laguiole cutlery is worth considering if you want substantial construction, clearly specified materials and practical everyday use at an accessible price.
Selected table-cutlery collections use heavy-gauge 2.5 mm construction, with X20Cr13 stainless knife steel for cutting blades and 18/10 stainless steel for forks and spoons. Materials, thickness, handles and care requirements vary by collection, so check the specifications of the particular set you are considering.
Is Louis Thiers a Good Brand?
Louis Thiers is an independent cutlery brand and manufacturer offering table cutlery, steak knives, kitchen knives and serving accessories. Its collections should be assessed individually—not treated as one identical product range.
For table cutlery, consider rigidity, balance, handle fit and finish. For kitchen knives, consider the specified blade steel, edge geometry, comfort and intended task. Smooth and serrated blades serve different preferences; serration alone does not determine quality.
How Does Louis Thiers Compare with Other Laguiole Brands?
Laguiole describes a cutlery style, not one manufacturer or a uniform quality standard. Compare equivalent products using their published materials, thickness, construction, warranty and actual selling price.
Our Louis Thiers comparison explains these differences using specifications and linked sources, helping you choose on measurable features rather than the Laguiole name alone.
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I already own Laguiole. How can I ensure that what I buy matches?
There are a number of makers that manufacture Laguiole. They all have their own Laguiole designs, styles and qualities. Therefore, if you are matching an existing Laguiole set, it is recommended that any additional sets be purchased from the same Laguiole maker.
Where is Laguiole made?
Only a handful of knife makers manufacture in the town of Laguiole. Forge de Laguiole is one example, and a single Forge de Laguiole table knife can cost around A$200. However, even high-end Laguiole manufacturers may produce different ranges in other countries.
A Laguiole cutlery set packaged in France can be labelled “Made in France”. The items may have been made in France, Hungary, the United States, China, Thailand or India, and may be of high, medium or low quality. “Made in France” is therefore not, by itself, a guarantee of quality; it identifies where manufacturing was completed. Unlike the government-regulated “Swiss Made” designation for watches, the Laguiole name alone does not impose a single manufacturing standard for materials, construction or finish.
What do I need to consider when buying Laguiole?
As with most purchases, discernment regarding materials, craftsmanship and business practices ensure customer satisfaction.
In the marketplace, Laguiole products come in all levels of quality. The key things to consider when buying Laguiole are described below. If you are uncertain about these, check with the Laguiole maker or place of purchase before you buy.
Price
The price often reflects the quality. Laguiole cutlery priced at under $3 a piece is regarded as sub-standard “picnic-set” quality and should be used infrequently as these pieces end up disintegrating with frequent use.
Stainless steel
Stainless-steel thickness is an important indicator of the strength, durability and feel of Laguiole cutlery, although it should be considered alongside the steel grade, construction and finish. Stainless steel below 1.5mm can flex noticeably during use, placing additional stress on the handles and potentially causing them to crack. Thicker steel can also accommodate a deeper, mirror-like polish. We recommend a stainless-steel thickness of at least 1.8mm—approximately the thickness of a house key. The Louis Thiers standard is 2.5mm, while the André Aubrac standard is 1.8mm.
Why steel thickness matters
Thin-gauge table knives have less resistance to lateral force. Under pressure they are more likely to flex, permanently bend or eventually fail than a thicker knife made from comparable steel.
Louis Thiers knives use heavy-gauge 2.5 mm stainless steel to provide greater rigidity and structural strength. The blade and handle are balanced together, producing a substantial, controlled feel without sacrificing comfortable handling.
Purpose-specific stainless steel
Louis Thiers uses different stainless steels for different purposes. Knife blades are made from X20Cr13 stainless steel, selected for strength, durability and cutting performance. Forks, spoons and other cutlery pieces use 18/10 stainless steel, chosen for its excellent corrosion resistance and bright, lasting finish.
Using the appropriate steel for each component provides better performance than treating every piece of cutlery as though it has the same requirements.
The traditional Laguiole edge
Traditional Laguiole knives use a smooth, non-serrated cutting edge. Louis Thiers table knives retain this characteristic of the established Laguiole design rather than using permanent serrations.
A properly sharpened smooth blade slices cleanly through meat instead of tearing it. It can also be sharpened normally and restored repeatedly throughout the life of the knife, unlike most serrated table knives.
Laguiole Bee
The bee insignia represents Laguiole and is displayed on each piece of Laguiole cutlery. Bees come in varying styles and sizes. Some may even be laser-etched onto a piece. Many Laguiole items have poor quality bees. This may also indicate that the cutlery itself is poorly made. High quality Laguiole pieces have moulded bees. The Louis Thiers and Andre Aubrac bee is moulded.
Food safety
Food-contact safety is an important consideration when choosing cutlery. Louis Thiers and André Aubrac cutlery has passed independent TÜV Rheinland testing against applicable food-safety requirements, including relevant US FDA/GRAS criteria.
Handles
Acrylic (ABS) handles
Quality ABS handles should have a clean, consistent finish without visible mould seams, cracks or rough edges. The join between the handle and the stainless-steel section should be secure, smooth and free from visible gaps.
Timber handles
Because timber is a natural material, every handle will have individual variations in grain, colour and pattern. These variations are part of its character and are not defects. A quality timber handle should be free from cracks, splits and rough areas, with a secure, smooth and gap-free join to the stainless-steel section.
Warranty
High quality Laguiole sets come with a full replacement warranty of at least 24 months.
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How do I care for my Laguiole?
General Care
Care information should be included with your Laguiole set. If not, check with the Laguiole maker or place of purchase. In general:
Acrylic (ABS) handles
Most ABS handles are dishwasher safe, but care should be taken not to use abrasive or citrus-based dishwashing powders or liquids as these may dull the bright colours. Also avoid using the intensive and pot cycles (hottest) of your dishwasher as this can damage and loosen pieces. Wash only on top rack of dishwasher.
Timber handles
Timber handles must be washed by hand and dried thoroughly. Care should be taken not to use abrasive or citrus-based dishwashing powders or liquids as these may damage the timber handles. These knives are not dishwasher safe.
Discolouration
In some rare cases, the stainless steel components of some cutlery pieces may become discoloured and exhibit a rust-like appearance after being washed in the dishwasher. This is not due to faulty cutlery; rather it is caused by other metal items in the dishwasher or the dishwasher itself. This is known as “electrolysis”. If this occurs, dishwasher manufacturers recommend regular cleaning of the dishwasher with a dishwasher cleaner. They also advise that it is best to start the dishwasher on the pot cycle and then add the cleaner 10 minutes after it starts. It is also recommended that all items be rinsed before placing them in the dishwasher and avoid the use of detergents containing citrus and highly chlorinated water.
The discolouration can be removed with a baking soda / water mix dipped in a cotton rag.