1829 : Birth of
Laguiole knife inspired by the " Capuchado ", local fixed blade knife with beech
wood handle and the Spanish Navaja switch blade.
1840 : The Laguiole adds an awl, used
by the regional farmers to pierce the paunch of diseased cows.
1880 : The Laguiole gets a corkscrew,
essential tool for the Aubracians going up to Paris to be coal or beer retailers.
1981 : Creation of Laguiole Knife
Association in order to promote and develop a knife industry in the Village. |
Since this time, Laguiole owns a factory with a forge
and several knife assembling workshops. Some of them can be visited all the year long.
|
| At the beginning, Laguiole was a very small rescue Chapel,
depending on Alcorn parish. Etymologically, Laguiole comes from the word " La
Gleisola " (1182) that means the little church. Its spelling should normally need a
separation in the word to make appear the original article. Laguiole village is located in
Aveyron Department, in Aubrac Region which covers three departments : Aveyron, Cantal and
Lozère. The junction of these three departments is named the Three Bishops Cross. In the
XVI th Century, Laguiole became principal church. The pronunciation Laïole comes from our
ancestor's patois. The first houses of Laguiole Village were built at the north of the
fort, close to it, in the quarter named today the Batut. Till end of XVIII th century, the
village was protected by a rampart and a ditch (lou Bolat) situated at the present place
of Valat street. On the slopes, at the south of the fort, were built several level houses
which constituted Lou Barry, named today le Faubourg. At that time, the main street of
this quarter was the " Bombecul " street (throw out one's ass). This
denomination may appear, still today, somewhat coarse, bu it is the perfect illustration
of one's body position if you have to walk up the street from south to north. Houses of
this street and of nearby alleys are the living witnesses of these old days. |
| THE BLADE |
Forged out of 440 steel, the blade is very strong, very
cutting and never goes rusty. Some notches on the top of the blade prevent the index from
slipping. |
| THE HANDLE |
The material can be chosen (horn, wood, stamina...) and is
always finely worked. The feeling of the handle is very important, so a Laguiole's owner
appreciates wood warmth, particular sensation of horn, and so on... |
| DECORATION |
There is a cross on the side of the handle. It's name is
the Three Bishops Cross. In the past, Aubrac peasants stuck their knife in the earth so as
to pray in front of the cross. Over and under the handle, the brass part is decorated with
notches and the upper spring is carved. At the top of the handle, the fly rests,
representing Aubrac cows herds flies. (Nowadays, there is a discussion about the nature of
this symbol : some people say it is a fly and others say it is a bee). |
|
