How to recognize a knife from artisanal craftsmanship?

Knives are much more than accessories we use in the kitchen, hiking, trekking or even in combat. They can also serve as an essential element of decoration. But not just any knives! Only luxury knives are used for decorative purposes. And luxury knives means artisanal knives. They are made with original materials that exude elegance and durability. At the same time, they are individually handcrafted by a skilled artisan. But it must be admitted that these products have recently become victims of their own success. They have quickly been caught up by counterfeits, particularly Laguiole knives. So, how can you tell the difference?

The characteristics of a real Laguiole knife

Laguiole, this name comes from a village in Aveyron renowned for knife making since the 19th century. And even though it has been popularized in France for nearly two centuries, it should be known that this name is not protected. This explains why today, fake Laguiole knives flood the market. Of course, legal proceedings have been initiated by the village of Laguiole against counterfeiters. But so far, it has been without any success. A reason that has prompted French artisans from the Aveyron village to add unique signatures to each recently designed model. Thus, you can recognize a real Laguiole by its handle. It can be symbolized with a bee, an Occitan cross, a wild boar or a metal fish.

A real Laguiole can also be recognized by its three rivets that attach the handle to the blade. Some may also have a shepherd's cross shape for a more attractive decorative touch.

The importance of details

To recognize a real Laguiole knife, it is equally important to have an eye for detail. In this regard, it should be noted that a genuine handmade knife never includes plastic parts. The handle, for its part, is not glued with adhesive, but remains riveted. For folding models, when the blade closes, it is positioned in a balanced manner without ever hitting the handle.

How to maintain a handmade knife?

Now that you have all the necessary elements to choose an original Laguiole knife, all you have to do is make the purchase. And since all luxury knives require special attention during all stages of their manufacture, you should proceed in the same way for maintenance. The golden rule of successful maintenance is to never wash the blade. It is necessary to use a damp cloth to better handle it. Dishwasher use is also not recommended for luxury knives. Contact with other steel utensils may damage the handle and scratch the blade. Finally, to compensate for the natural wear of the blade, use a sharpening kit or a steel rod. To do it properly, start from the heel of the blade making a movement towards the guard while following a given angle. Also remember to slide the blade while applying light pressure to avoid any risk of scratching it.