An authentic Forge de Laguiole knife is made in the village of Laguiole, on the Aubrac plateau in southern France, and carries the Forge de Laguiole logo on its blade, because the word "Laguiole" alone is not a protected name and guarantees nothing about origin or quality. That single fact explains why you can find "Laguiole" knives for a few dollars and others for a few hundred. This guide walks you through the history, the details that set a genuine piece apart, and how to choose the right cheese knife, butter knife or corkscrew for your table.
The short answer
- "Laguiole" describes a style of French folding knife, not a brand, and the name is not legally restricted.
- Forge de Laguiole was founded in 1987 to bring knifemaking back to the village of Laguiole itself.
- Look for the Forge de Laguiole logo on the blade and "Fabriqué à Laguiole France" on the heel.
- The bee and the shepherd's cross are decorative traditions, not proof of authenticity.
- Forged (not welded) bees, solid forged bolsters and hand-fitted handles are signs of real craftsmanship.
What is a Laguiole knife?
The Laguiole (pronounced roughly "lah-YOLE" by locals) is a traditional slim folding knife from the Massif Central region of France. The first version is credited to Jean-Pierre Calmels in 1829, and the classic curved, "lady's leg" silhouette took shape around 1860, likely influenced by the Spanish navaja carried by shepherds who moved between Catalonia and southern France. A corkscrew was added to some models around 1880 at the request of café owners in the Auvergne and Paris, which is why the Laguiole is as closely tied to the wine table as it is to the farmhouse kitchen.
Over the twentieth century, production in Laguiole itself faded while the design was copied everywhere. Today, "Laguiole" refers to a type of knife that is manufactured worldwide, often cheaply.
What is Forge de Laguiole?
In 1985, a group from the Aubrac plateau, including the mayor of Laguiole, set out to revive knifemaking in the knife's birthplace. The result was Forge de Laguiole, which opened its manufactory in the village in 1987. Its workshops forge, assemble and finish knives by hand, and the brand has since collaborated with designers, artists and chefs, from the three-Michelin-star Bras family of Laguiole to master cheesemonger Roland Barthélemy. In 1992, Forge de Laguiole also acquired the Coutellerie Nontronnaise, keeper of the Nontron knife, considered France's oldest knife, with traces dating back to around 1300.
How do you recognize an authentic Forge de Laguiole knife?
According to the manufactory itself, these are the details to check:
- The logo on the blade. Every Forge de Laguiole knife, folding or table, bears the brand's logo. It guarantees that the piece was made in their workshop in Laguiole.
- The blade heel marking. Current knives read "Fabriqué à Laguiole France" along with the steel grade (T12, a French steel).
- The bee. It is the most iconic symbol, but it is not proof of anything on its own. What matters is the quality of the chiseling. On Forge de Laguiole's Tradition folding knives from 9 to 12 cm, the bee and the spring are forged from a single piece rather than welded on.
- The shepherd's cross. Also not a guarantee. Some premium models in horn or rare woods skip it to protect the material. When it is present, neatly aligned pins are a mark of quality.
- The bolsters. Forged, solid and fitted precisely to the handle. Rimmed bolsters indicate a knife that was not made by Forge de Laguiole.
- The price. A knife made by hand in France, with dozens of production steps, will not retail for the price of a coffee.
| Detail | Genuine Forge de Laguiole | Typical mass-market "Laguiole" |
|---|---|---|
| Where it is made | Laguiole, Aveyron, France | Often unstated |
| Blade marking | Brand logo plus "Fabriqué à Laguiole France" | The word "Laguiole" only |
| Bee | Forged with the spring on Tradition folders, hand-chiseled | Welded or cast, soft detail |
| Bolsters | Solid, forged, hand-fitted | Thin or rimmed |
| Packaging | Gift box and certificate of authenticity | Varies |
Which Forge de Laguiole pieces are best for the table?
We stock a focused selection of Forge de Laguiole pieces built around the things we love most: cheese, butter and wine. Browse them all in our Forge de Laguiole collection.
Cheese knives
- Nomade Cheese Knife by Roland Barthélemy: a compact, colorful everyday cheese knife designed with the president of the International Guild of Cheesemakers.
- Barthélemy Cheese Knife, Olive Wood and Ebony: a serrated blade with hollow cutouts, so soft cheeses do not stick.
- Barthélemy Cheese Set, Olive Wood and Ebony: the knife plus a server, boxed and ready to give.
- Michel and André Bras Cheese Knife: designed by the chef brothers of Laguiole, originally for cutting Roquefort, and balanced so the blade never touches the tablecloth.
- Nontron Cheese Knife, Boxwood: from the Nontron workshop in the Dordogne, with its signature engraved boxwood handle.
Butter knives
A good butter knife makes a real difference with dense, hand-churned French butter. Choose the Black Horn Tip Butter Knife, the Walnut Butter Knife, or the Nontron Butter Knife, and pair it with a block of Bordier butter for a gift that gets used every morning.
Sommelier corkscrews
Forge de Laguiole's waiter-style corkscrews are hand-assembled by a single craftsman, made with martensitic stainless steel, and come with a gift box, leather sheath and certificate. Their sommelier model won the Design Plus award in Frankfurt. Options include the Bone Handle, Aubrac Horn Tip, Oak Barrel Wood and the remarkable 5,000-year-old sub-fossilized oak.
How do you care for a Forge de Laguiole knife?
- Hand wash and dry immediately. Natural handles such as horn, bone and wood should never go in the dishwasher.
- Avoid soaking, which can swell wooden handles and loosen fittings.
- Oil the moving parts of folding pieces and corkscrews now and then with a drop of food-safe lubricant.
- Wipe wooden handles occasionally with a little neutral oil to keep them from drying out.
Where can you buy Forge de Laguiole in the US?
Genuine Forge de Laguiole pieces are mostly found in specialty cutlery shops. At The French Pantry we carry a curated range of cheese knives, butter knives and sommelier corkscrews, each with its box and certificate, shipped across the US. They make natural companions to the cheeses and butters we stock, and an easy answer to the question of what to give the person who already has everything. If you are building a board to go with your new knife, start with our guide to building a French cheese board.
Related reading
- How to Build a French Cheese Board
- The French Apéro: How to Host Aperitif Hour
- Bordier Butter: What It Is, Why Chefs Love It, and How to Use It
- How to Choose Your French Butter: A Buyer's Guide
Frequently asked questions
Is "Laguiole" a brand?
No. Laguiole is a style of French folding knife and the name of a village. The word is not legally restricted, so knives labeled "Laguiole" can be made anywhere. Forge de Laguiole is a brand that manufactures in the village itself.
Does the bee mean a Laguiole knife is real?
No. The bee is a decorative tradition found on knives of every quality. Look instead for the maker's logo on the blade, the place of manufacture on the heel, and the precision of the chiseling.
When was Forge de Laguiole founded?
Forge de Laguiole opened its manufactory in Laguiole in 1987, after local leaders launched a project in 1985 to bring knifemaking back to the village.
Can Forge de Laguiole knives go in the dishwasher?
Pieces with natural handles such as horn, bone or wood should always be washed by hand and dried right away to protect the handle and the mechanism.
What is the best Forge de Laguiole knife for cheese?
For a cheese board, the Barthélemy cheese knife with its cutout blade handles soft and semi-hard cheeses well. For blue cheeses like Roquefort, the Bras cheese knife was designed specifically for the job.