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Focus on the handle of Laguiole

Nature shaped man and man shaped this beautiful subfossil oak knife handle.

La plaine du Rhin a enfanté des manches de couteaux uniques.

This is the story of a knife handle that came from the depths of time, even before the appearance of man and long before metal work. The story began 50 million years ago, when the Rhine turned into a plain, receiving sediments and sands that covered it year after year. Trees and plants grew and were destroyed or imprisoned. As human started exploiting the soil, fossilized oaks dating back more than 5,000 years were discovered. Most of these were recovered and dated by Claude Wernert, a remarkable and passionate wood species researcher. Several trunks were transferred to the Forge de Laguiole in order to be turned into wonderful knife handles.

The fossilized laguiole knife, a tribute to Nature and to Man

La finition Chêne Fossile offre une grande solidité au couteaux de table Forge de Laguiole.

These trunks are distinguished by their exceptional resistance to parasites. Rot-resistant, oak is difficult to work on because over the years the wood has been able to adapt and defend itself. The slightest crack is filled with mineral particles that can damage tools. Oak is very hard and very fragile at the same time. We need all the expertise of experienced Forge de Laguiole cutlers to transform this ancient wood.  The wood distinguishes itself by its natural shine and exceptional water resistance. The subfossil oak handle is now available in a beautiful collection of folding knives with chiselled bee, table knives and the Laguiole sommelier.

From wood to knife handle… a bit of history

-3234  -2279 BC. AD: Claude Wernert’s precise dating of the subfossil oak now found in Laguiole knife handles;
– 3000 BC. AD: discovery of iron in the north of the Persian Gulf;
-1500 BC. AD: first appearance of blacksmiths in the South Caucasus;
2000 AD: online Laguiole subfossil oak collection produced by Forge de Laguiole.

La collection millénaire Chêne Subfossile se retrouve dans cette magnifique série Sommelier Laguiole.

In these Laguiole knife handles lays a beautiful bit of history, that of nature; and in its blades, we find the story of passionate cutlers at the top of their trade.

Layers of steel for exceptional knives

These spectacular Laguiole knives are created by the best Forge de Laguiole goldsmiths.  The handles of Laguiole knives are considered works of art but when forging these knives the blades are not forgotten either. With its natural curves and embedded designs, these blades made of Damascus steel are a true legend.

. The technique: a superposition of steel

The damask blade comes from the superposition of layers of metal. Pounded, stretched and then dipped in acid – which blackens only carbon; artistic curves and patterns appear on the knife blade. This also results in great strength.

Most contemporary knives are made of two types of blades, just like the damask patterns created by Forge de Laguiole in Aubrac.

> Carbon Damascus blade

This blade is created by a more traditional forging technique. A technique that involves stacking alternating hard steel and a softer steel.

Laguiole damas lame carbone créé par Stéphane Rambaud

> Damascus steel blade

The Damascus steel is obtained from the more recent steelmaking method: powder metallurgy. Martensitic stainless Damascus steel obtained this way is equivalent to 116 layers of forged damask.

Laguiole Ananas avec Laguiole Forge de Laguiole ame damas inox créé par Virgilio Muñoz Caballero

. The history : a blade that originates in Iran

According to literature, this Damascus blade came from Iran, not Syria. This technique of layering metal was founded in Iran. The name of this technique comes from the damask patterns and colors found on the polished steel blade, similar to the moiré pattern of fabric prints manufactured in the Syrian capital, Damascus.

. The maintenance of a damask knife: simplicity

> Carbon Damask Laguiole

We recommend keeping the blade in a dry place. Avoid a leather sheath as it could retain moisture. If oxidation occurs, a light cleaning with talc or argan oil will do, wipe down with a soft cloth.

> Damascus steel knife

Stainless Damask requires no intensive maintenance. Just keep your Laguiole knife stowed away somewhere dry or in a leather case.

Magnifique, la lame damas inox permet en outre un entretien facile du laguiole.

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All our Laguiole knives with Damascus steel blades are crafted by the best French blacksmiths, courtesy of FORGE DE LAGUIOLE.s.

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Exclusive Laguiole pocket knives created out of historical wood

A series of knives that symbolizes the partnership of Laguiole and the historical ship Belem

Old wood from famous Three-master Belem brought back to life with a series of knives © Jean-Eric Lavenir

Passionate about heritage, La Forge de Laguiole and the Belem Foundation created
a partnership by making a series of pocket knives that will appeal to lovers of tradition (and long journeys.) The knives are made from wood of the prestigious Belem and the emblem of the ship is featured on the knives.

• Two exclusive knives made of Belem mahogany

Forge de Laguiole knives made of Belem mahogany.

Detail of Belem anchor chain © Jean-Eric Lavenir

The handle of the Belem Forge de Laguiole knives is made of rare Cuban mahogany pieces from 1914, straight from the captain’s cabin of the Belem. The knives are crafted by the great Virgilio Muñoz, French master cutler. One of the knives has an anchor replacing the traditional bee and features anchor chain on the spring, the other has a picture of the boat as seen from the front and port lines on the spring. The plates and bolsters of these two knives are made of brass and clearly refer to the fittings of the three-master.

Both models are 12 cm long and numbered. They come with a certificate of authenticity and are presented in a black lacquered wooden box.
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These Laguiole knives are unique and on sale at the coutellerie de Lodi,
5 rue de Lodi, 13006 Marseille, France. Tel. (+33) (0)4 91 94 11 92

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• Limited and numbered edition of Laguiole teak knives

  

  Teak for this wonderful Laguiole pocket with corkscrew comes from the Belem.

© Jean-Eric Lavenir

The teak handle of this exceptional series comes from the bridge of Belem. They are created of parts that were removed while the Belem was restored. Manufactured within the limits of available stock, these knives come with a corkscrew, smooth spring and stylized bee. The exclusive spring and stylized bee were inspired by the hardware of the famous ship. The two engravings on the spring and slide personalize this model.

The knife is 12 cm long and comes with a certificate of authenticity as well as knife number. It is presented in a black lacquered wooden box.

• Laguiole Belem knife with amourette wood handle

The Laguiole and Belem Foundation consumer version is 12 cm long and distinguished by its wooden handle of Guyanese amourette wood. It recalls the travelling merchants of Belem. An engraving of the silhouette of the famous ship on its blade guarantees its origins. Its polished finishing shows the beautiful characteristics of amourette wood. This knife comes with a certificate of authenticity.

Laguiole pocket with an amourette wood.

The blades are T12 French unalterable steel (Bonpertuis steel, Isère) for Forge de Laguiole. They have a lifetime warranty against any manufacturing defects.

Visit the legendary three-master Belem

The historical three-master welcomes visitors aboard. Navigation courses are also hosted on Belem.                  © Jean-Eric Lavenir

The anchor of Belem on the exclusive laguiole knife series. © Jean-Eric Lavenir

Built and launched in Nantes in 1896, the three-master Belem is one of the most prestigious and oldest sailing ships in the world that still sets sail regularly.
In the past the Belem was used to transport cocoa.  She was acquired by the Duke of Westminster in 1914, and he used her for pleasure. The three-master then changed owners as well as nationalities numerous times before returning under the French flag in 1979.

Today, the Belem Foundation owns the three-master and enabled proper restoration.  On Belem navigation courses are offered. She gives everyone a chance to learn more about sailing aboard the only living witness of the French merchant fleet of nineteenth century.