The pocket knife LAGUIOLE,is one of the more know french folding knives in France and in World.It is necessary to know that:there is no company with the name LAGUIOLE!! This knife is a model of knife with the name of the village LAGUIOLE,in Aveyron department,in the quart south est of the Massif Central,where he is born around the year 1825.In this area,there is an accent of south,and the name of this folding knife is pronounced:"layole".

Around 1825,Mr Calmels,a craftman in cutlery, does a knife who represent his area.The local people have trade and exchange of seasonal workers with Spain.This explain the raisons of the form of the blade.Mr Calmels and his family,have cutler's in LAGUIOLE area and in RODEZ.So this knife is know in the surrounding.In 1880,for economic reasons,the local people go in Paris,with their knives.It is a succes.The knife is more and more know.

At the begining,the first knives have a little plate on place of the bee,for to open the spring.It is not a forced spring like today.This plate is often engraved with the symbol of the owner of knife.Around 1880,Mr Calmel takes the habit to engrave a bee.A legend is born!Perhaps Napoleon III gives the permission to use the bee?Probably a legend!

In 19° century,this is the craftmen in the area of the village of LAGUIOLE and RODEZ,who make all Laguiole knives,one by one,with spring hand decorated,the bee forged in the spring .But at the end of the century,the industry of cutlery in THIERS(the french capital of cutlery),begins to produce manufactured knives,with lower prices.There manufactures produce knives ,assembling by hand,pieces made by a lot of small makers.The spring is decorated by machine,and the bee is solded.

Now,there is few craftmen or craft workshops who make knives with spring hand decorated and forged bee. The other makers are manufactures who perpetrate the french quality for Laguiole knives.

You have to know that knives are made in China or Pakistan.You have to know that a bee or the word"Laguiole" on knife is not a guarantee.For to be sure a knife is french,the logo,or the name of the maker is obligatory engraved on blade.In this way,you have to do confidence to serious tradesman for advice.

Now,you have a small idea for to choose the Laguiole knife you hope.

André MATON.