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Understanding the Laguiole History and tradition
Over the years, cutlery makers have taken their inspiration from the Laguiole knife using it to create beautiful and functional cutlery and accessories. The cutlery and accessories from the most respected Laguiole makers are showcased here.
Laguiole is a distinctive cutlery tradition that developed in nineteenth-century France and is associated with both the village of Laguiole and the historic cutlery centre of Thiers. It is not the name of one manufacturer, and the word alone does not establish a product’s maker, materials, construction or manufacturing origin.
Louis Thiers interprets the traditional Laguiole table-cutlery form with 2.5 mm steel construction for longevity and greater resistance to bending than thinner cutlery made from comparable steel. A high polish, balanced proportions and shaped handles keep each piece agile and comfortable to hold. Selected table-cutlery sets use X20Cr13 stainless knife blades and 18/10 stainless forks and spoons; check each product’s specifications and care instructions. Assess quality from the stated materials and construction rather than an assumed country of manufacture.
For table cutlery, Laguiole describes a recognised design style rather than a single brand or manufacturer. The French geographical indication “Couteau de Laguiole” applies to certified folding knives produced under its specific requirements.
Laguiole Knife
The Laguiole knife was first designed in 1829 by Pierre-Jean Calmels. His concept of the knife became the pattern for this style, with the forged "bee" symbol emerging as a distinctive trademark. In 1880, some models of the laguiole knife began featuring a corkscrew, in response to demands from waiters in northern Aveyron.
The word Laguiole is a generic term, not legally restricted to any one company or place of manufacture. Such knives are produced by a number of unrelated companies in southern France with 70% of the traditional knife production comes from Thiers, a long-established centre of the cutlery industry.
