Laguiole Knives

Laguiole knives take their name and shape from a small village on the Aubrac plateau in southern France, where the design first appeared in the 19th century. With a slim, curving handle, a gently swept blade and a small decorative insect at the top of the spring, the Laguiole is one of the most recognizable folding knives in the world.

This collection brings together Laguiole-style pocket knives, corkscrew models and steak knife sets, with handles in horn, wood and bone and blades in Damascus and steel. Each listing shows the blade length, closed length, handle material, spring and lock type, and what’s included, so you can compare knives for the table, the pocket, or a gift.

Shop Laguiole Knives

Browse pocket knives first, then corkscrew models and table sets. Close-up photos show the bee or fly on the spring, the bolsters, and the handle material, because those details define a Laguiole as much as its blade does.

What Is a Laguiole Knife?

A Laguiole knife is a traditional French folding knife with a slender, curved handle, a tapered blade with a gentle swept tip, and a steel backspring that holds the blade open and closed. It was first made in the village of Laguiole in the Aveyron region of France. A local cutler named Calmels is credited with an early straight-handled version in 1829. The familiar curved form developed later in the century, influenced by the Spanish navaja.

Today the name describes a style rather than a single maker. Laguiole knives are produced in France, mainly in the village itself and in the knife-making town of Thiers, and by makers around the world. Quality varies widely, so look at the materials, fit, and finish on each listing rather than the name alone.

Features That Define the Laguiole Style

The Bee or Fly

The small insect at the top of the spring is the Laguiole’s signature. Technically, it’s the end of the backspring, traditionally called the “fly.” The bee design became common only after World War II. A well-known legend links it to Napoleon, but historians generally regard that story as myth. On many knives, the bee is forged as part of the spring rather than attached separately.

Spring and Filework

The traditional Laguiole is a non-locking folder. A strong backspring holds the blade open with tension, often with a half-stop position partway through the swing. Some modern versions add a lock, so check each listing if you need one. The spine of the spring is often decorated with hand filework, a pattern cut into the steel that varies from knife to knife.

Bolsters and the Shepherd’s Cross

Metal bolsters at each end of the handle add strength and a finished look, usually in brass or stainless steel. Some handles carry a cross of small inlaid pins, often called the shepherd’s cross. It’s a decorative feature added in the 20th century, and the shepherd legend attached to it is also generally considered a myth.

Laguiole Pocket Knives

A Laguiole pocket knife with a single blade is the classic form: slim enough to carry daily and elegant enough to use at the table. Blades of about three to four inches handle everyday cutting, slicing bread and cheese, and opening packages.

As a traditional French folding knife, the Laguiole rewards gentle handling. Because most versions don’t lock, close the blade carefully and avoid prying or heavy twisting cuts.

Laguiole Knives with Corkscrew

A Laguiole knife with corkscrew adds a folding corkscrew to the handle, a feature that appeared in the late 19th century for wine-loving customers in Paris and the Auvergne. Some models also include an awl. These knives use a slimmer handle shape, sometimes called a “lady’s leg,” with a bolster shaped to sit comfortably in the hand.

A corkscrew Laguiole is a popular gift for wine lovers. Use the corkscrew for straight pulls, and avoid levering hard against the bottle neck, which can strain the hinge.

Laguiole Bee Knives and Handle Choices

Every Laguiole bee knife carries the insect on the spring, but the handle gives each knife its character. A Laguiole horn handle knife uses cattle horn, the traditional material, with natural color shifts from pale to deep brown and black. Wood handles, such as olive or juniper, show warm grain patterns. Bone offers a smooth, classic surface.

Damascus blades add a layered pattern to the classic shape. Each listing names the blade steel and handle material so you can choose the combination you prefer.

Laguiole Steak Knives Set

A Laguiole steak knives set brings the same handle shape and bee detail to the dinner table as fixed-blade table knives. These sets are a favorite for hosting and housewarming gifts, and they pair well with a matching pocket knife.

Check each set’s listing for the number of knives, whether the edges are plain or serrated, and the handle material. Plain edges slice cleanly and can be resharpened easily, while serrated edges stay effective longer between sharpenings.

Laguiole Style Knives USA

Shoppers looking for Laguiole style knives USA buyers can order easily will find each knife’s country of origin, materials, and shipping details on its product page. Our knives are Laguiole-style designs. Unless a listing says otherwise, they are not made in the village of Laguiole or in France.

If you searched for French pattern folders Montana forge, you’ve found Minhas Forge, a business based in Kalispell, Montana. Each listing states where the knife is made. For Laguiole knives shipped from United States addresses, check the shipping information on each listing and at checkout.

Caring for a Laguiole Knife

Hand wash and dry your Laguiole knife straight after use, especially after cutting food. Never put it in the dishwasher, because heat and detergent can crack horn, wood, and bone handles and dull the blade.

Keep a light coat of oil on carbon steel and Damascus blades to prevent rust, and add a drop of oil to the pivot now and then so the spring action stays smooth. Wipe the corkscrew dry after use.

Horn is a natural material, made of keratin. It can dry out or crack if soaked or left in high heat, so treat it occasionally with a light coat of wax or mineral oil. Wood handles benefit from the same care.

Related Collections

Looking for more folding knives? Browse our Folding Knives, Damascus Folding Knives, and Engraved Folding Knives. For table and kitchen sets, see Knife Sets and Chef Knife Sets. For gift ideas, explore Personalized Knife Gifts.