Laguiole knife
The Laguiole is a traditional French pocket knife. It is used by various companies, inter alia, in Laguiole itself ( Southern France) and in Thiers (Auvergne, central France ) were prepared. The design comes from Pierre -Jean Calmels and is from the 19th century.
The name " Laguiole " alone can not be protected; it is subject to the public domain. There are many imitation products which, although they bear the name Laguiole, but are partially made in China or Pakistan. Of the approximately 134 currently Laguiole forging in France there are four well-known manufacturers that are high in approximately level:
- Laguiole en Aubrac
- Forge de Laguiole
- Fontenille Pataud
- La Coutellerie de Laguiole Honoré Durand
Laguiole en Aubrac and Forge de Laguiole are verschwisterte companies. While Laguiole en Aubrac, Fontenille Pataud and Honoré Durand focus on The tradition of manufacturing classical Laguiole models, the company, founded in 1988 Forge de Laguiole is more design-oriented. Forge de Laguiole Honoré Durand and are forging, the finished even directly in Laguiole.
Blade, issue, department ( spring in the back of the knife ), Bee etc. are processed slightly different from forging to forging. As a result, the knives are slightly different in shape and feel. In addition, there are numerous small forging, often one-man operations.
The bee / fly ( " Mouche ") on the back of a knife (departmental, French spring ) is considered a hallmark, but is traditionally not the only motive, but there are also those with bull heads or scallops, etc. It is not intended to lock the blade but only the ornament. Other typical features are the individual decoration of the spring back and the blade with ground notches and a cross that is formed by nails, which are wrapped around the central rivet into the magazine. It is said that pastors should have the knife stuck in the ground at night in order to pray before the cross.
A Laguiole will not snap shut, since the blade then hitting the inside of the spring, but slowly close (French: " Department silencieux vivra vieux ", ie " Silent spring will live long") one.
The material for the blades mainly Swedish steel Sandvik 12C27 labeled, but Damascus and carbon steel is used. The blades are available in polished or satin finish.
Laguiole knives are very popular collectible items, since they are available in many different designs. Various grip fittings such as exotic woods, horn, ivory or other - some of them very expensive - materials are used.
Furthermore, are also cutlery knives, forks, spoons and teaspoons in the typical Laguiole design with the bee. Salad servers, larger knife and cheese sets round off the range.
Conclusion
The Laguiole is a knife that has been developed in his culture (France) over a very long period of time and has been optimized for users' needs. It is an archetype as the Opinel, the Japanese Higonokami and the diameter of the Sami, etc.