Compare Laguiole en Aubrac Sommelier Corkscrew Lines
Every Laguiole en Aubrac sommelier corkscrew is assembled and finished by hand in Espalion, in the historic Laguiole area of the Aubrac, by the workshop founded there in 1992. The mechanism is the same across the range: a foil cutter, a corkscrew and a bottle opener in a 4¾-inch (12 cm) folded body, with the bee on the spine. What changes from line to line is the handle material, the bolster finish and how much hand decoration goes into the spine and the bee. This guide puts the lines side by side so you can choose by look, budget and how the corkscrew will be used.
Compare the lines
| Line | Handle | Finish and details | Box | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday sommeliers | |||||
| All stainless steel | Brushed or polished stainless steel, handle and body in one material | Classic sommelier, no natural material to oil | French oak | $139.95 | A working corkscrew behind a bar or in a restaurant apron |
| Classic woods | Over 20 woods: olivewood, juniper, grapevine, oak, briar root, ebony, walnut, ironwood, Aubrac wood, burls, stabilized poplar burl and more | Satin, brushed or polished stainless bolsters | French oak | $179.95 | The widest choice; a first Laguiole corkscrew or a gift |
| Horn & bone | Solid horn, buffalo horn, zebu bone, ram's horn crust, ebony-and-bone checkerboard | Shiny stainless bolsters | French oak | $199.95 | The most traditional Laguiole look |
| Composites & colors | Corian, Juma, cactus fiber, dyed camel bone, in reds, blues, greens, lilac, orange and more | Stainless bolsters; stable, colorful handles | French oak | $179.95 | A bright color, or a handle that shrugs off humidity |
| Specialty handles | Marshmallow red or black, paper waves, leopard pattern | Shiny stainless bolsters; textured or patterned handles | French oak | $189.95 | Something playful that still opens wine properly |
| Marquetry | Inlaid wood: Woodstock pattern, amourette with an inlaid horse | Brushed stainless bolsters; hand-fitted inlay | French oak | $199.95 | A wood handle with a picture in it |
| Hand-decorated and special editions | |||||
| DeLuxe twisted bolster | Olivewood, buffalo horn, solid horn | Twisted (rope-style) bolster; hand crafting along the spine | French oak | $229.95 | A step up in detail without collector pricing |
| André & Michel Bras edition | Olivewood, beechwood, ebony, teak | Matte vintage finish; signed André & Michel Bras edition, 4½ in folded | Oak | $229.95 | Food lovers who know the name |
| Concorde | White resin | Exclusive steel from the Concorde airliner | Gift box | $259.95 | Aviation enthusiasts; a gift with a story |
| Stones | Genuine larimar, malachite, turquoise | Shiny stainless bolsters; natural stone, no two alike | French oak | $329.95 | A corkscrew that is also a piece of jewelry |
| Numbered and collector pieces | |||||
| DeLuxe No 6, 7, 8 and 9 | Grapevine or buffalo horn (No 6), ebony or amourette (No 7), olivewood (No 8), solid horn (No 9) | Hand crafting on the bee and along the spine. The number, 6 to 9, tells you which artisan made the bee. Matte finish on the wood handles, shiny on the horn | French oak | $299.95 | The most decorated corkscrews in the regular range, with a bee you can trace to its maker |
| Numbered editions by Pierre | Grapevine, ebony or olive wood with a colored lining | Made by Pierre, the workshop's best artisan, in runs of 10 or 20 numbered pieces; crafted bee and spine | French oak + leather pouch | $349.95 | A collector's corkscrew with a number on it |
| Nougatine | Ebony combined with fossilized Siberian mammoth tusk | A composite of two rare materials | French oak | $349.95 | The rarest handle currently in stock |
| Mammoth ivory | Fossilized Siberian mammoth ivory, creamy with natural age lines | Shiny stainless bolsters on the classic; also made as a DeLuxe twisted bolster and a DeLuxe No 7 | French oak | $499.95 | The ultimate collector's sommelier; made in very small numbers |
| Sets | |||||
| Corkscrew + pocket knife set | Matching olivewood, juniper, amourette or buffalo horn | A sommelier corkscrew and a matching folding knife | Gift box | $344.95 | A complete gift for someone who opens bottles and slices saucisson |
Prices are the lowest-priced corkscrew in each line that is in stock today. Mammoth ivory sommeliers run from $499.95 to $649.95 and are made in very small numbers; check the ivory collection for availability. Use the buttons above to show only the lines with a given handle material. Swipe the table sideways on a phone.
Who each line is for
All stainless steel
Choose it if: you open bottles for a living and want a Laguiole that can take daily service.
Think twice if: you want the warmth and grain of a natural handle.
Classic woods
Choose it if: you want the classic Laguiole sommelier and the biggest choice of wood, from olivewood to ironwood.
Think twice if: you want extra hand decoration on the spine and bee; look at DeLuxe.
Horn & bone
Choose it if: you want the dark, translucent look most people picture when they think of a Laguiole.
Think twice if: it will live in a hot, dry place; horn likes an occasional drop of oil.
Composites & colors
Choose it if: you want a strong color or a handle that does not react to humidity.
Think twice if: you want a natural material with grain.
Specialty handles
Choose it if: you want a corkscrew people will ask about.
Think twice if: the gift is for a traditionalist.
Marquetry
Choose it if: you like wood but want a pattern or an image in the handle.
Think twice if: you want a wide choice; the line is small.
DeLuxe twisted bolster
Choose it if: you want a more decorated corkscrew in olivewood or horn at a modest step up in price.
Think twice if: you prefer a plain, smooth bolster.
André & Michel Bras edition
Choose it if: you want a matte, vintage-looking sommelier carrying the Bras name, famous in Laguiole for its cooking.
Think twice if: you want a polished, shiny finish.
Concorde
Choose it if: the person you're buying for loves aviation history.
Think twice if: you want a natural handle; this one is white resin.
Stones
Choose it if: you want a striking handle in larimar, malachite or turquoise.
Think twice if: it will be dropped on a stone floor; stone can chip.
DeLuxe No 6–9
Choose it if: you want the most hand decoration on the bee and spine in the regular range, and like knowing which artisan made the bee.
Think twice if: you want a numbered, limited piece; see Pierre's editions.
Numbered editions by Pierre
Choose it if: you collect, or want a gift that will never be common: 10 or 20 pieces per edition.
Think twice if: you want a specific wood in stock any time; each run is only 10 or 20 pieces.
Nougatine
Choose it if: you want ebony and fossil mammoth tusk in one handle.
Think twice if: you want something low-key.
Mammoth ivory
Choose it if: you want the rarest classic Laguiole material, from fossil mammoth tusk.
Think twice if: you need it soon; pieces are made in very small numbers and sell out.
Corkscrew + knife set
Choose it if: you want a matching pair in one box.
Think twice if: the person already owns a Laguiole pocket knife.
Caring for your corkscrew
Wipe the corkscrew clean after use and never put it in the dishwasher: heat and detergent dry out wood, crack horn and loosen the fit of the handle. A drop of mineral oil on the hinges a few times a year keeps the lever and the worm opening smoothly, and a light wipe of the same oil keeps wood and horn handles from drying. Stone, Corian, Juma and stainless steel handles only need a dry cloth. Full instructions are on our care and tips page.
Questions
Which Laguiole en Aubrac corkscrew should I start with?
A classic wood sommelier. Olivewood and juniper are the most popular, and the line has the widest choice of handles. If you want a darker, more traditional look, choose buffalo horn or solid horn.
Do the lines work differently?
No. Every line has the same three functions: foil cutter, corkscrew and bottle opener, in a 4¾-inch (12 cm) folded body (4½ inches on the André & Michel Bras edition). The differences are the handle, the bolster finish and the hand decoration on the spine and bee.
What is the difference between a classic and a DeLuxe sommelier?
DeLuxe models get extra hand work. The DeLuxe twisted bolster has a rope-style bolster and crafting along the spine. DeLuxe No 6 to No 9 add hand crafting on the bee as well as the spine.
What do the numbers on the DeLuxe No 6, No 7, No 8 and No 9 mean?
The number tells you which of our artisans made the bee. Each artisan crafts the bee in their own hand, so the number identifies the maker, not a size or a quality grade.
What makes the numbered editions different?
They are made by Pierre, the workshop's best artisan, in runs of 10 or 20 pieces, with a colored lining along the handle and spine, a crafted bee, and a leather pouch in addition to the oak gift box.
Where are Laguiole en Aubrac corkscrews made?
In Espalion, Aveyron, in the historic Laguiole area of the Aubrac in France, by Laguiole en Aubrac, founded in 1992. Every corkscrew comes with a certificate of authenticity.
Can a Laguiole corkscrew go in the dishwasher?
No. Wipe it clean by hand and dry it. Dishwasher heat and detergent damage natural handles and the hinges.
What does the warranty cover?
Every corkscrew carries a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. It does not cover misuse or dishwasher damage.
Shop all Laguiole en Aubrac corkscrews · Not sure which to pick? Read our guide to the best Laguiole corkscrew.