Where to buy Laguiole knives in Paris ?
#21
Join Date: Oct 2004
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You see how complicated this is? On several occasions I have set out to buy Laguiole knives in France and have yet to make the purchase. I have spent almost as much time in knife stores as my wife Sandra has in shoe stores (almost).
There is no patent or trademark on Laguiole.
The guy with the boxed sets in his trench coat by the Eiffel Tower is not lying any more than the guy in E. Dehillerin.
You must decide what satisfies you as a Laguiole knife.
- Laguiole can be the shape or type or style of knife
- some will argue that it must be made in Laguiole or Thiers or in the Livradois-Forez or in the Auvergne or wherever (everybody is trying to get in on the action)
Probably a good starting point is to be certain that the blade is made at the Laguiole factory (has the "French knifemakers Federation" logo on the blade)The name "Laguiole" on the blade means nothing.
- it may or may not have the bee, or the classic six shepherd's cross of brass rivets, or be serrated or not
- it should come with a signed certificate of authenticity and be money-back guaranteed (that and €3 will buy you an espresso)
- should cost at least €250 for 6
Beyond that the price is for the handle. Some very famous artists have made handles for Laguiole knife blades and the sky is the limit and they are magnificent.
Be assured that whatever you buy, you will be able to say that it is a real Laguiole and no one can successfully dispute your claim.
There is no patent or trademark on Laguiole.
The guy with the boxed sets in his trench coat by the Eiffel Tower is not lying any more than the guy in E. Dehillerin.
You must decide what satisfies you as a Laguiole knife.
- Laguiole can be the shape or type or style of knife
- some will argue that it must be made in Laguiole or Thiers or in the Livradois-Forez or in the Auvergne or wherever (everybody is trying to get in on the action)
Probably a good starting point is to be certain that the blade is made at the Laguiole factory (has the "French knifemakers Federation" logo on the blade)The name "Laguiole" on the blade means nothing.
- it may or may not have the bee, or the classic six shepherd's cross of brass rivets, or be serrated or not
- it should come with a signed certificate of authenticity and be money-back guaranteed (that and €3 will buy you an espresso)
- should cost at least €250 for 6
Beyond that the price is for the handle. Some very famous artists have made handles for Laguiole knife blades and the sky is the limit and they are magnificent.
Be assured that whatever you buy, you will be able to say that it is a real Laguiole and no one can successfully dispute your claim.
#22
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robjame, you probably have crossed paths with my husband while knife shopping in Paris! Whenever I wanted a bit of time to shop alone, I simply sent him to shop for knives.
FWIW, we always found the "good" Laguole knives in glass cases under lock and key. You had to ask to be allowed to handle them.
FWIW, we always found the "good" Laguole knives in glass cases under lock and key. You had to ask to be allowed to handle them.
#23
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I advise against the traditional horn handles that can start scaling fairly quickly. I like wood, but would have them with plastic handles (yes, I have seen handles from composite materials) if they are to be washed in the dish washer.
The traditional blade was carbon steel, but that is subject to rust and imparts an off taste to food items such as apples.
The traditional blade was carbon steel, but that is subject to rust and imparts an off taste to food items such as apples.
#24
http://www.laguiole-knife-corkscrew....ole-knife.html
I have the picnic knife pictured here and a bread knife that I bought in the Auvergne.
I have the picnic knife pictured here and a bread knife that I bought in the Auvergne.
#25
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"a lady selling kitchen knives upstairs there gave me a card for 'La Laguiole du Marais' in the rue du Pas de la Mule, which is next to the place des Vosges.
This modest shop, run by Bernard Audren, has only one brand of knives. They are from Laguiole in the Aveyron."
This modest shop, run by Bernard Audren, has only one brand of knives. They are from Laguiole in the Aveyron."
#28
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La Carpe (14 rue Tronchet) is one of the best kichenware shops in Paris. A lot of merchandise not found anywhere else. I was delighted to find a one cup coffee maker there (complete with two mugs and a coffee measure for under €20). Terrific to have in hotel room so as not to have to get dressed and go out or pay for room service coffee.
#30
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From Widipedia:
The inhabitants are also very good craftsmen, and Aveyron is full of various craft objects, handmade, that can be found locally. Examples include the couteau de Laguiole, the world famous Roquefort cheese, from the village of the same name and other local produce.
Consider it on the edge of the Auvergne.
The inhabitants are also very good craftsmen, and Aveyron is full of various craft objects, handmade, that can be found locally. Examples include the couteau de Laguiole, the world famous Roquefort cheese, from the village of the same name and other local produce.
Consider it on the edge of the Auvergne.
#32
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Thanks to everyone for the help. I never thought it would invoke so many responses. I first saw them locally at a French Design Shop, beautiful, but exhorbitantly expensive. I will try the shops that were mentioned, and see if I find the
Real-deal" ones, with exquisite handles there.
Real-deal" ones, with exquisite handles there.
#33
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I have an oval 1-1/2" deep copper pan 11-1/2" x 7" with brass handles from the E. Dehillerin shop in Paris. About $300.USD on sale. I thought that was very expensive in 1997. It is a well made pan I use occassionally as a serving dish. It weighs 2-lbs.1&1/2 oz. It is heavy next to a larger imitation that is probably not copper and doesn't have the copper denting. But hey, they supposedly made the pots and pans for Napoleon's Army's kitchen. I guess the swords too. The pan is stamped "Made in France" and "E. Dehillerin Paris". I have a couple of Laguiole folding knives. One says "made in pakistan", , but the one I think is or could be original is the one that says Laguiole INOX, which I think might be a town in France or town in the outskirts of Paris. OOps, INOX means non-oxidizable or like stainless, per the wikipedia. .
Anyway this knife has a ladies leg type end into which a small thin corkscrew folds. It might work in France as a corkscrew because they drink wine young. In England and myself in the US drink aged wine and it would wreck havoc with a damp 30 year old cork. I sold a brushed stainless steel Laguiole waiters knife with a wide teflon worm for $100. on eBay. I wish I hadn't but I needed the cash more than another corkscrew.
That wide round teflon worm pulled out the most difficult corks. It came in a black rough leather case with a Bee on the clasp and a wide loop on back for your belt. I kept that case and sold the corkscrew in a soft black leather case marked Laguiole Vialis. The vialis case had a similar Laguiole waiter's knife but had black ebony or smooth stagg handle rivited sides. Everything but the sides was all polished stainless including the worm, which wasn't as sharp as the teflon. I miss it but don't like brushed stainless and love my belt case. My $300. pan has the tinning in the inside wearing off and it really wasn't used much.
So, I guess my pan might not be a Laguiole after all either.
Anyway this knife has a ladies leg type end into which a small thin corkscrew folds. It might work in France as a corkscrew because they drink wine young. In England and myself in the US drink aged wine and it would wreck havoc with a damp 30 year old cork. I sold a brushed stainless steel Laguiole waiters knife with a wide teflon worm for $100. on eBay. I wish I hadn't but I needed the cash more than another corkscrew.
That wide round teflon worm pulled out the most difficult corks. It came in a black rough leather case with a Bee on the clasp and a wide loop on back for your belt. I kept that case and sold the corkscrew in a soft black leather case marked Laguiole Vialis. The vialis case had a similar Laguiole waiter's knife but had black ebony or smooth stagg handle rivited sides. Everything but the sides was all polished stainless including the worm, which wasn't as sharp as the teflon. I miss it but don't like brushed stainless and love my belt case. My $300. pan has the tinning in the inside wearing off and it really wasn't used much.
So, I guess my pan might not be a Laguiole after all either.
#34
Join Date: Apr 2007
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While it is true that there is no patent or trademark on Laguiole, the French government is about to issue them trademark status much the same way they do for cheese and wine. At least according to a recent article in Le Parisien.
http://www.leparisien.fr/magazine/gr...13-2728375.php
I have a number of these knives which I have always purchased at Calmels in Laguiole. Calmels are only sold in Laguiole and is the traditional source for Laguiole knives. However, this very interesting article which appeared a few years ago in the LA Times suggests other outlets offering excellent quality knives.
http://articles.latimes.com/1995-03-...laguiole-knife
http://www.leparisien.fr/magazine/gr...13-2728375.php
I have a number of these knives which I have always purchased at Calmels in Laguiole. Calmels are only sold in Laguiole and is the traditional source for Laguiole knives. However, this very interesting article which appeared a few years ago in the LA Times suggests other outlets offering excellent quality knives.
http://articles.latimes.com/1995-03-...laguiole-knife
#36
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By golly Gretchen you are correct. I usually check the dates but this time I checked only the month which, month to month, this thread flows rather nicely except for a 6 year gap.
Resurrecting threads this old is really rather pointless as much of the information may no longer be valid.
Resurrecting threads this old is really rather pointless as much of the information may no longer be valid.