What Is Laguiole? 7 Things to Know Before You Buy
· Maison Perrin · 13 min read
What is Laguiole? It isn't a brand. That surprises most people.
You've probably seen the name on steak knives at a dinner party, on flatware in a boutique window, or stamped into a pocket knife at a French market. But not all pieces bearing that name are created equal. Some are handcrafted in France using techniques passed down for over two hundred years. Others are mass-produced overseas with a label and little else behind them.
This guide covers what the name actually means, how to pronounce it, what the bee symbol represents, and how to choose a set that's genuinely worth your money.
1. What Is Laguiole? A French Cutlery Style with 200 Years of History
Laguiole is a style of French knife that originated in the village of the same name, in the Aubrac region of southern France. The first knives appeared around 1829. They were designed as everyday carry tools for local cattle farmers and shepherds — practical, sturdy, and built to last a lifetime of hard use.
The name is pronounced “la-YOLL” — not “la-gee-OHL” or “la-GOO-lee.” The “gu” is silent, and the ending rhymes with “stroll.” Get this right, and you'll sound like you've been buying French cutlery for years.
What made these knives distinctive from the start was their design language. A gently curved handle. A signature bolster where blade meets grip. And an insect figure — the famous bee — forged into the spine.
The original design was a simple folding knife with a fixed blade and a handle made from local cattle horn. Shepherds carried them in their pockets for everything from cutting bread to trimming rope. By the mid-1800s, local artisans had refined the silhouette, adding the distinctive bolster and the forged bee that became the hallmark of the style.
Over two centuries, that design migrated from the farmer's pocket to the dining table. Today, the name refers to an entire family of cutlery: steak knives, flatware sets, cheese utensils, and serving pieces — all sharing the same French silhouette.
2. What the Bee on a Laguiole Knife Really Means
Every authentic piece features a small insect on the spine or bolster. Most people call it a bee.
Here's the truth: nobody knows exactly what it is.
One theory links it to Napoleon, who allegedly granted the village the right to use the imperial bee as a symbol of loyalty. Another says it's actually a fly — a cicada, to be specific — representing the fauna of the Aubrac plateau. A third theory is that it's purely decorative, a craftsman's signature that became tradition over generations.
What matters more than the origin story is how the bee is made.
On premium pieces, the bee is forged from the same piece of steel as the spring mechanism — shaped by hand during the forging process. On lower-quality versions, it's a separate piece welded or glued on after the fact.
A forged bee is one of the clearest markers of quality. If you pick up a knife and the bee feels like a sticker, put it down.
3. Why Laguiole Is Not a Brand
Here's where it gets complicated. The name is a geographical term, not a trademark. That means anyone, anywhere, can manufacture products and use it freely.
A French court confirmed this in 2014. The village fought to protect its name and lost (BBC News, 2014). So the market is now flooded with products of wildly varying quality — all legally using the same label.
Some are handcrafted in the Aubrac region by families who've been making cutlery for generations. Others are stamped out in factories overseas, sold at a fraction of the price, and built to match.
The manufacturer's name is your best indicator of quality. Flip the blade or check the packaging. Reputable makers — such as Jean Neron, Forge de Laguiole, and Laguiole en Aubrac — stamp their identity directly on the steel.
Jean Neron has been producing French cutlery since 1880. Their pieces are manufactured in Thiers, France — the historic capital of French knife-making since the 15th century. Every set arrives in a wooden presentation box with the maker clearly identified.
Worth knowing: treat the name like “Champagne” before it got trademark protection. The label tells you the style. The maker tells you the quality.
4. How Laguiole Cutlery Works on the Dining Table
Most people discover the style through the folding pocket knife. It's the original, and it's iconic.
But the real impact on daily life happens at the dining table.
The same design elements that make the pocket knife recognisable — the curved handle, the bolster, the bee — translate beautifully to steak knives, flatware, and cheese utensils. And unlike a pocket knife that lives in a drawer, these are pieces you use, display, and enjoy at every meal.
A set of six olivewood steak knives in a wood presentation box changes the feel of a weeknight dinner. The weight in the hand. The warmth of olivewood grain against white linen. These aren't details people consciously register — but they feel the difference.
For a full table setting, the 24-piece ivory flatware set gives you knives, forks, tablespoons, and teaspoons for six — all in one presentation box. The ivory handles have a smooth, matte finish that works equally well at a casual brunch or a long Saturday dinner with friends.
Both sets make some of the best housewarming and wedding gifts in our collection. The wooden box means no wrapping required. Open the lid, and the gift speaks for itself.
There's also something practical here that's easy to overlook. A dedicated set of steak knives means you're not reaching for the same kitchen knife you used to prep dinner. The blade profiles are designed specifically for table use — sharp enough to cut cleanly through meat, but with a gentler edge that won't scratch your plates.
5. How to Choose the Right Laguiole Cutlery for Your Table
Choosing a set comes down to three decisions: handle material, set type, and packaging.
Handle Materials
| Material | Look & Feel | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| Olivewood | Warm, natural grain — each piece unique | Rustic and Mediterranean settings |
| Ivory (ABS) | Smooth, matte, cream-coloured | Clean, modern tablescapes |
| Black | Sleek, contemporary | Minimalist and moody settings |
| Pale Horn | Subtle marbled pattern, neutral tone | Transitional and classic styles |
| Black Marble | Dark with fine veining | Dramatic statement settings |
| Stainless Steel | Polished, industrial | Professional and commercial use |
| Rainbow | Multi-coloured handles | Playful, colourful entertaining |
Olivewood is our most popular finish. Each handle has a slightly different grain pattern, so no two sets are identical. It pairs naturally with ceramic plates, wooden boards, and linen napkins — the kind of table you'd set for a long summer lunch.
Set Types
- Steak knives (set of 6): The entry point. One set changes your entire table.
- Flatware (24 pieces): Full setting — knives, forks, tablespoons, and teaspoons for six.
- Cheese utensils (set of 3): A spreader, a fork-tipped knife, and a cutter. Everything for a cheese board.
- Mini spreaders and forks (set of 4): Individual pieces for each guest at a cheese or charcuterie night.
For cheese nights, the 3-piece mini cheese set in olivewood pairs perfectly with a simple board and a bottle of wine. Add a set of olivewood mini spreaders so each guest has their own, and the board is complete.
Packaging
Every set comes in one of two box styles. The wood presentation box has a solid lid — classic and gift-ready. The wood box with acrylic lid lets you see the pieces inside without opening it. Both protect the cutlery and display well on a shelf. If you're buying as a gift, the presentation box is the better option — it has a more finished, occasion-ready feel when someone lifts the lid.
6. How to Care for Laguiole Cutlery
French cutlery this well-made is built to last. But only if you treat it right.
Hand wash. Always. This is the single most important rule. The dishwasher's heat and harsh detergent will damage wood and horn handles, dull blade edges, and loosen bolsters over time. Warm water and mild soap after each use is all you need.
Dry immediately. Don't leave pieces soaking in the sink. Wood handles absorb moisture, which causes cracking and warping over time. Dry each piece with a soft cloth right after washing.
Oil the wood. For olivewood handles, a light application of food-safe mineral oil every few months keeps the grain rich and prevents drying. A single drop rubbed in with your thumb is enough.
Store in the box. The presentation box isn't just packaging — it's storage. Keeping your set in its box prevents blades from contacting each other and handles from scratching.
For stainless steel and platine handles, care is even simpler. These materials don't need oiling and are more forgiving if left damp for a few minutes. They're a good choice if you want the look without the upkeep.
Simple as that. Five minutes of care after each use, and your set will look the same in ten years as it did the day you opened the box.
7. What Makes Laguiole Worth the Investment
A French-made set of steak knives costs more than a set from the homeware aisle. Three things justify the difference.
Craftsmanship you can feel. Every piece in a Jean Neron set is made in Thiers, France — the centre of French cutlery production since the 15th century. The steel is cut, ground, and polished. The handles are shaped and fitted. The bee is forged. You feel the result in the weight, the balance, and the way the blade meets food.
Design that starts conversations. Put a set of rainbow flatware on your table and count the seconds before someone picks one up and asks about it. The bee, the bolsters, the coloured handles — these are pieces people notice and remember.
Durability that outlasts trends. A well-maintained set doesn't wear out. The stainless steel holds its edge. The handles develop character with age and use. These aren't pieces you replace every few years. They're pieces you hand down.
In our experience, customers who start with a single set of steak knives come back for the flatware within a year. Once you've set a table with this cutlery, the old set feels like a downgrade.
Honest answer: this style isn't for everyone. If cutlery is just a tool to you, there are cheaper options that do the job. But if the details of your table matter — if the weight of a knife in your hand matters — then this is where you start.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Laguiole a brand or a style of knife?
It's a style of knife, not a brand. The name refers to a design that originated in the village of Laguiole in southern France around 1829. Because the name was never trademarked, multiple manufacturers produce this style of cutlery. Always check the maker's name stamped on the blade to assess quality and origin.
How do you pronounce Laguiole?
It's pronounced “la-YOLL.” The “gu” is silent, and the ending rhymes with “stroll.” Even many French speakers outside the Aubrac region get it wrong, so don't feel bad if you've been mispronouncing it — most people have.
How can you tell if a Laguiole knife is real?
Look for the manufacturer's name stamped on the blade, a forged (not welded or glued) bee on the spine, and quality handle materials like olivewood, horn, or stainless steel. Reputable makers such as Jean Neron and Forge de Laguiole always identify themselves on each piece.
Why are Laguiole knives expensive?
Authentic French-made sets involve multiple stages of cutting, forging, grinding, polishing, and hand-fitting handles from natural materials. This level of craftsmanship takes time and skill. Mass-produced copies skip most of these steps, which explains the price gap.
What does the bee on the knife mean?
The bee (or fly) is a traditional design element with disputed origins. Some link it to Napoleon's imperial symbol. Others say it represents local insects of the Aubrac plateau. Regardless of origin, a hand-forged bee — shaped from the same steel as the spring — is a reliable marker of quality.
Are all Laguiole knives made in France?
No. Because the name has no trademark protection, manufacturers worldwide can use it. Authentic pieces are typically made in Thiers or the Aubrac region of France. Always check the country of origin and manufacturer before buying.
What is the difference between Laguiole and Laguiole en Aubrac?
The first is the general style name shared by many makers. Laguiole en Aubrac is a specific manufacturer based in the Aubrac region that produces high-end, handcrafted pieces. Other notable makers include Forge de Laguiole and Jean Neron, each with their own standards and specialities.
The Bottom Line
This is one of the few cutlery traditions that genuinely lives up to its reputation — when you buy from the right maker.
Here's what to remember:
- The name describes a style, not a brand. The manufacturer is what matters.
- A forged bee, quality materials, and French production are your three quality markers.
- Steak knives are the best entry point. A set of six changes how your table feels.
The details of a table setting say something about the person who set it. This cutlery says you've chosen something with history, craft, and a point of view.
