The romance and history of Laguiole

Contrary to popular misconception, Laguiole is not strictly a trade name with all the protection that the word implies. The world-famous knife takes its name from a small village in Aveyron up on the Aubrac plateau where it is said to have been born some 170 years ago. This area of France has been famous for its fine knives since time immemorial and nearby Thiers is now the acknowledged flatware capital of France. The Laguiole knife, recognized by the Académie Française, is a couteau fermant - a folding knife - originally made from carbon steel, now replaced by the more practical stainless steel.

Farmers and shepherds used such knives for a broad variety of purposes out in the fields: for cutting bread, meat, string, you name it. Boys of 12 or 13 were given a Laguiole knife as a mark of passage into manhood, and rather like a fine Rolex, the Laguiole was a treasured and personal treasure to be looked after your life long. To avoid cutting friendship, couper l'amitié, it is traditional to give a small coin with any knife.

The folding knife includes a spring and it is a point of etiquette never to allow the blade to hit the spring by banging your knife shut: fold it gently so the blade just kisses shut.

Handles come in everything from horn to wood to modern acrylics the colours of boiled sweets. You can even buy a Laguiole with a handle made from fossilized mammoth ivory. If you are still in any doubt that this knife is a towering classic, the fact that Phillipe Starck designed his own version of the classic may convince you. His knives are even on display in New York's MOMA (Museum of Modern Art).

While there are 70 or 80 makers of Laguiole flatware, not all preserve the authentic making traditions of the finest knives. We at French-Only selected Jean Dubost because they still make the finest cutlery with the care and attention it needs. All the cutlery comes with the beautiful badge of the bee that has long been a mark of authenticity for Laguiole. The origins of the bee are much-contested, but some say the imperial bee was conferred on the people of Aubrac by no less than Napoleon 1 himself in recognition of their courage in battle. Packed in traditional unpolished pine boxes, whether you want heavy-bladed, wooden-handled steak knives or regular cutlery, the name of Laguiole will bring a breath of the Aveyron to your table.