This is a Laguiole Corkscrew knife, also called a Laguiole 2 piece.
The corkscrew was added to the Laguiole knife in the 1880s. This addition resulted from the sale of corked wine bottles in urban society and in response to the request by the people of Aveyron, who had left to find work in the cafes of Paris. Café owners and waiters remained loyal to their traditions and were proud to use their 2-piece knife in the capital.
The Guilloché series features additional chiseling of the spring, liners (top & bottom), and the entire blade top edge.
This knife was entirely handmade in Europe’s capital of cutlery, “Thiers.” The “Gilles®” Fontenille Pataud collection of knives are considered by many to be some of the best pocket knives money can buy. All Knives offered by Gilles are entirely made by a single craftsman, ensuring pride of ownership of the final piece.100% Made in France.
Note: It’s worth noting that deploying the folded corkscrew can be tricky, especially if you’re new to the tool. We suggest gripping the screw from beneath and pulling firmly, rather than using your nails. And, always ensure the blade is closed when folding and unfolding the screw. Keep these tips in mind to make things smoother and safer.
What is a Forged Bee? You can recognize a forged bee when you look just below it, where it meets the decorated spring. If you do not see any gaps, it’s a good sign that the bee and spring were forged from the same piece of metal. You can also recognize a soldered bee by noticing a straight gap/ridge where the bee meets the spring.
A 12 cm Laguiole folding knife can be used as a steak knife; its open length is 8. 3/4″ vs. ~9″ for a standard steak knife. Why use such a knife at the dinner table or your favorite steak house? Check out our article (new tab) for the surprising answer.