Laguiole Cutlery & Corkscrew Glossary

By: Carlos E Antillano

This glossary covers the essential terminology behind handcrafted French Laguiole cutlery and corkscrews. From blade steels and handle materials to the anatomy of a sommelier corkscrew, these definitions will help you understand the craftsmanship, heritage, and quality markers that distinguish an authentic Laguiole en Aubrac piece. It is written for collectors, home cooks, wine enthusiasts, and anyone drawn to the tradition of fine French cutlery.

Artisan Cutler (Coutelier)

The French trade title for the single craftsperson who performs every manufacturing operation on a Laguiole en Aubrac knife, from forging the blade to fitting the handle scales. This one-person, start-to-finish approach is a hallmark of the brand and a key reason each knife carries its maker's individual character.

Aubrac Region

The high volcanic plateau in the southern Massif Central of France (Aveyron department) where Laguiole en Aubrac knives are manufactured. This geographic origin is central to the LOG certification and to the brand's identity, linking every piece to centuries of pastoral tradition and artisanal metalwork.

Backspring

The steel spine that runs the full length of a Laguiole folding knife's handle. It controls blade tension in the slipjoint mechanism and serves as the canvas for hand-engraved guilloché decoration. The iconic bee sits at its tip.

Blade Heel

The rear base of the blade, closest to the handle, where the LOG authenticity stamp is typically engraved. This is also the point where the backspring exerts pressure to hold the blade in its open position within the slipjoint mechanism.

Bogwood (Fossil Wood)

Ancient wood that has been naturally preserved in peat bogs for thousands of years, giving it a dark, mineral-rich appearance. Laguiole en Aubrac uses bogwood as a rare handle material on collector-grade knives, prized for its unique color variations and deep connection to natural history.

Bolster

The metal collar fitted at the junction between blade and handle on a Laguiole knife. It protects the handle material from impact and moisture while adding a refined aesthetic transition between steel and the chosen handle scales.

Bovine Horn

Traditional cattle horn sourced from Aubrac livestock, used for Laguiole knife handles since the 19th century. Each piece displays natural variations in color and translucency, making every handle one of a kind. It remains one of the most iconic and historically authentic handle materials.

Champagne Saber (Sabrage)

A long, flat blade designed to open champagne bottles by striking the glass collar with a swift sliding motion. The technique, called sabrage, originated with Napoleonic cavalry officers. Laguiole en Aubrac produces handcrafted sabers that double as ceremonial display pieces.

Damascus Steel

A blade material created by forge-welding and repeatedly folding multiple layers of different steel types, producing a distinctive wavy or mottled pattern on the finished surface. Laguiole en Aubrac offers Damascus blades in premium and collector models, valued for both their visual beauty and exceptional edge performance.

Foil Cutter

The small serrated blade integrated into a sommelier corkscrew, used to slice through the foil or wax capsule covering a wine bottle's neck before cork extraction. On a Laguiole corkscrew, this blade folds neatly into the handle alongside the worm and lever.

Forged Bee

A bee emblem that is forged as a single, continuous piece with the backspring rather than soldered on separately. This technique requires greater skill and is considered a mark of superior craftsmanship, distinguishing artisan-made Laguiole knives from mass-produced versions.

Guilloché (Guilloching)

A hand-engraved decorative pattern chiseled into the backspring and bolsters of a Laguiole knife. Each cutler develops a personal guilloché style, so the pattern often serves as a maker's signature. Common motifs include fine crosshatching, scrollwork, and floral designs.

Handle Scales

The two outer panels of material, such as wood, horn, bone, or mammoth ivory, that are riveted to the liners on either side of a Laguiole knife's handle. They are the most visible element of the knife and the primary point of customization for buyers choosing between natural materials.

Laguiole en Aubrac

The authenticated French manufacturer whose knives and corkscrews are sold through this authorized US retailer. Based on the Aubrac plateau in Aveyron, the workshop is staffed by master cutlers who produce each piece by hand, from blade forging through final assembly. Every item carries the LOG certification stamp and a limited lifetime warranty.

Liners / Plates

The internal metal plates inside a Laguiole knife's handle that sandwich the backspring and give the construction its structural rigidity. Though hidden beneath the handle scales, liners / plates are essential to the knife's durability and to the smooth operation of the slipjoint mechanism.

LOG (Laguiole Origine Garantie)

A certified authenticity mark engraved on the blade heel of every genuine Laguiole knife manufactured in the historic Aubrac region. The LOG stamp confirms artisanal production methods and regional origin, serving as a reliable indicator for buyers seeking to distinguish authentic pieces from imitations.

Mammoth Ivory

Prehistoric tusk material recovered from Siberian permafrost, legally distinct from modern elephant ivory and not subject to the same trade restrictions. Laguiole en Aubrac uses mammoth ivory for luxury handle scales, valued for its creamy color, fine grain, and extraordinary provenance spanning tens of thousands of years.

Mirror Polish

A high-gloss blade finish achieved through successive stages of hand polishing until the steel reflects like a mirror. This finish is offered on many Laguiole en Aubrac knives as an alternative to the more understated satin finish, and it highlights the purity of the steel surface.

Olive Wood

A dense, moisture-resistant Mediterranean hardwood with a warm, swirling grain pattern. It is a popular choice for Laguiole knife handles because of its natural beauty, pleasant feel in the hand, and strong resistance to kitchen humidity.

Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel

A high-performance Swedish stainless steel alloy used for all Laguiole en Aubrac blades. Known for its fine grain structure, excellent edge retention, and corrosion resistance, 12C27 is a professional-grade steel that sharpens easily and holds its edge through extended use.

Satin Finish

A brushed, low-reflectivity blade surface that gives the steel a soft, matte appearance. Offered as an alternative to mirror polish on Laguiole en Aubrac knives, a satin finish is more forgiving of fingerprints and light scratches, making it a practical choice for everyday use.

Shepherd's Cross

A traditional decorative pattern formed by the arrangement of rivets on a Laguiole knife handle, evoking the Christian cross carried by Aubrac shepherds. This motif connects the knife to its pastoral origins on the high plateaus of southern France.

Slipjoint

The folding mechanism used in all traditional Laguiole knives. A slipjoint relies on backspring tension to hold the blade open or closed without a full mechanical lock. This design gives the knife its characteristic smooth, satisfying action and its slim, pocketable profile.

Sommelier Corkscrew

A folding, pocket-sized wine opener that combines a worm, a foil cutter, and a hinged lever arm in a single tool. Also called a waiter's friend, it is a core product category for Laguiole en Aubrac and a favorite of wine professionals for its compact design and reliable cork extraction.

Stabilized Wood

Natural wood that has been impregnated with resin under vacuum pressure to increase its hardness, moisture resistance, and color consistency. Laguiole en Aubrac uses stabilized woods such as poplar burl for handle scales, ensuring the beauty of natural grain with improved long-term durability.

The Bee (Mouche)

The iconic decorative emblem found at the tip of the backspring on a Laguiole folding knife. Traditionally representing a fly (mouche in French), it is one of the most recognized symbols of Laguiole craftsmanship and a primary marker of authenticity. On artisan-grade knives, the bee is forged as one piece with the backspring.

Worm (Corkscrew Helix)

The spiral metal shaft of a sommelier corkscrew that penetrates and grips the cork during extraction. A well-made worm features a rounded, open spiral (rather than a solid auger shape) so it threads smoothly into the cork without tearing it apart.