ISO Laguiole corkscrew
 

My niece and sister will be in France for a week staying 3 nights in Nice, 3 nights on a boat starting in Avignon and 1 night (Saturday) in Paris. My niece would like to buy a Laguiole corkscrew for a gift. Where is a good place for her to look? TIA

Laguiole has a shop, Galerie Laguiole ,at 1, pl. Sainte-Opportune, 75001. She'd probably find the best selection there

Thanks for the reply. I was hoping there was someplace in the provinces where the prices would be lower. I will pass your information along.

There are lots of knife/gift stores everywhere. And the prices may be the same as Paris. Laquiole makes several different levels of knives. Don't know about corkscrews. Just be on the lookout wherever you are.

Laguiole is a town (not one company) where there are many knifemakers making knives of varying price and quality. Some are very expensive, others are not. I would advise her to shop around and perhaps check prices on the internet before her trip.

I have one that is a fake. Had I done my research, I would not have wasted money. They sell for over $100+ depending on the natural material of the knife handle. The name and the style is not registered that is why so many fakes. There are about a half dozen allowed to be authentic, most will have a cirtificate. It will always say made in France. Don't rely on the Bee. Two of the highly respected are forge de Laguiole and Chateau Laguiole.

Most of the Laguioles are now produced in Thiers which is a traditional knife producing center. To pick one up actually made in Laguiole, one would have to know how to identify the maker of the handle (the blades were never made in Laguiole). Whether a knife or a corkscrew, I do not recommend the traditional horn handle, as it is sensitive to humidity and will tend to scale off. Wood is a better material, unless one likes mosdern plastics or resins.

Michael, Chateau Laguiole knives are made in Thiers but the Forges are made in Laguiole in a factory designed by Philip Starch (which one can enter)

Cigalechanta,

An interesting reversal of production. Originally, the knifes were finished in Laguiole as a cottage industry with local products, i.e. cow horn. Now you tell me that the steel is made in Laguiole and the handles elsewhere? BTW, does that include stainless steel blades? I advise against carbon steel because it imparts a flavor on things like apples.

No, I'm saying the knives called Forge de Laguiole are made in Laguiole are made there but ones labeled Chateau are made in Thiers. I'll see if I can google any info.

Wow! What a curious and interesting article!

http://americanwaymag.com/aw/travel/...ate=10/15/2005

on Forge:

http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew....le-knives.html

yes, there are cheap varieties. TK maxx in england usually has some sets and the plastic handles feel hideously cheap....i wouldn't mind the plastic if it were heavier and of a higher quality.

Yes, there are those but they are not authentic. The OP wants a real one. Laguiole doesn't do plastic.

from your link
http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew....ives-fluo.html

plexi = plastic

and i'm not saying they are the same as the ones at TK maxx...i'm sure those are better quality plastic for that price....but still plastic.

You're right! I didn't see that but the original would not use that, jeez I hope this is not one of the originals .

http://www.corkscrew.com/sales-forge-de-laguiole.html
this is for Michael

There are many reputable makers of Laguiole in Thiers. Mine happens to be made by David. Here's another one:

http://www.laguiole-france.com/index...&pageid=24

My take on this is that unless it is made by an individual forger (similar to forgers found in U.S. crafts fairs), it makes little difference if the factory is in Laguiole or in Thiers.

I am inclined to agree with Michael, it doesn't matter where it is made, it is the knife maker that counts. One of the world's best is in the US, Randall . Check out their prices in Europe for used or previously owned ones!

But no corkscrews from them.