Laguiole knives, and why they are so special

If you are a lover of French things, then there is no doubt that you have heard about Laguiole knives.  They are beautiful, and when you see one, they immediately evoke a feeling of French authenticity.

So, what makes them so special? 

In order to fully appreciate them, it’s important for you to know a little bit about their origins, and the workmanship that goes into creating each individual knife.

Laguiole, France, is a small village that is located in the Occitanie region of southern France. It is the birthplace of these knives. The first knives were made in the early 1800’s.

After WWI, the production of Laguiole knives was moved to Thiers.  Thiers is a nearby town, that is considered to be the knife capital of the world, and responsible for over 70% of France’s knife production.  These two cities have worked together, creating authentic Laguiole knives, for over 150 years.

The name Laguiole

It’s important to understand, that the term Laguiole, is not a brand or trade name, but rather, it refers to a knife that has the traditional shape of this area. 

Authentic Laguiole knives are made only by a handful of production companies, that are located in Laguiole or Thiers. Honoré Durand and Forge de Laguiole are the most common ones that knife enthusiasts consider to be authentic. These knives are made completely by hand, using the original ways of production. This is what makes them so special.

Production of Laguiole knives

Each knife is a true work of art.  They are made, from start to finish, by one individual craftsman, and only the highest quality materials are used. 

Because they are made by individual craftsman, the designs on these knives will vary.

Some will have bees or flies on the handle, others will have some other ornamental piece there. The spine that runs down the handle will also vary, and can have very elaborate designs.

The first knives

You might find that some authentic Laguiole knives have individual pins inlaid on the handle, that are in the shape of a cross. 

Interestingly, the original Laguiole knives were made for shepherds, who were migrating with their flocks. Because they were far away from home, and, in turn, the church, these shepherds would use their knife as cross for prayer. They would open it up, and stick it into the ground, which allowed them to visualize the cross.  This is why some refer to these knives as “the little chapel.” 

Actually, the name Laguiole comes from la gleisòla, which means “little church.”

Counterfeits

Unfortunately, the name Laguiole is not protected.  So, knives with the same look and shape, are now being produced in countries like China and Pakistan, and given the name Laguiole. These knives are mass produced, and are made of low quality materials. 

Just because it says “authentic”, doesn’t mean it is.  Without protection of the name, counterfeit producers can put whatever they want on the label. 

So, how do you know if you are getting an authentic Laguiole knife?

Tips on spotting a counterfeit

The Forge de Laguiole offers a detailed history of the Laguiole knife, and its authentic attributes. But, here are a few quick tips you can use to spot a fake.

• Price. If you are getting an entire set of knives for $50, then that is a sure bet that they are not authentic.  Remember that true Laguiolle knives are handmade, with only the highest quality materials, and can cost hundreds of dollars, for just one knife. 
• The blade.  Authentic Laguiole knives have a straight edge blade. If it has a serrated edge, it is not authentic. Period.
• Stamped blade.  On a “real” knife, the blade is stamped, and will read something like “Veritable Laguiolle” and have “made in France” on it.  It may also include the material it made from, like “Inox,” and sometimes the craftsman’s name will be stamped on the other side. It should also have the name of the production company stamped on the blade.
• The handle is always made of a high quality raw material (wood, horn, etc.). Never plastic or other manmade materials.
• The ornamental piece. This is the piece over the spring of the knife. It is commonly a bee or fly, but can be anything. The important thing, is that on an authentic knife, the ornamental piece is continuous with the spine. On a counterfeit, the bee or fly is glued on, or welded.

Which will you choose?

If you like the look of a Laguiole knife, and aren’t bothered by its place of production, or that its not “the real deal”, then they are pretty easy to find. 

But, if you care about French authenticity, then be sure to get them either direct from the atelier or manufacturer, or an authorized dealer.

I have to admit, I’m a traditional kind of girl, and I would rather spend a lot of money on one authentic Laguiole knife, than on 50 counterfeits.