Compare Laguiole en Aubrac Pocket Knife Lines
Every Laguiole en Aubrac folding knife is made by hand in Espalion, in the historic Laguiole area of the Aubrac, by the workshop founded there in 1992. Nearly every line starts the same way: a blade of Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel, a spring with the bee forged in one piece with it, and a natural handle that is different on every knife. What changes from line to line is the size, the construction of the handle (one plate or two), the steel on the Damascus models 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 how you will carry and use the knife.
Compare the lines
| Line | Closed size / blade | Construction | Steel | From | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| The classic Laguiole, by size | |||||
| Classic 9 cm (3.5") | 3.5" closed / about 3" blade | Single plate, forged bee, juniper, olivewood, amaranth and more | 12C27 Sandvik | $109.95 | A watch pocket or handbag; the lowest price for a handmade Laguiole |
| Classic 11 cm (4.3") | 4.3" closed / about 4" blade | Single plate; steel or brass bolsters; juniper, snakewood, buffalo horn, bone | 12C27 Sandvik | $149.95 | A slimmer everyday knife |
| Classic 12 cm (4.75") | 4.75" closed / about 4" blade | Single plate; brushed or polished bolsters; the widest choice of woods, horns and bones | 12C27 Sandvik | $179.95 | The traditional full-size Laguiole; a first knife |
| Classic 12 cm with corkscrew | 4.75" closed / about 4" blade | Two pieces: blade and corkscrew; juniper, olivewood, ebony, grapevine, Aubrac wood, buffalo and solid horn | 12C27 Sandvik | $179.95 | Picnics and travel: one knife for bread, cheese and the bottle |
| Heavier and more finished | |||||
| Double plate | 4.75" closed / about 4" blade | Two plates and a bolster at each end; polished, brushed or hammered; often hand-filed spine | 12C27 Sandvik | $239.95 | A weightier, more formal knife |
| Damascus | 4.75" closed / about 4" blade | Mostly double plate; layered blade pattern unique to each knife | Damascus: 160-layer, VG-10 San Mai or Damascus over 12C27 | $329.95 | A patterned blade that still works every day |
| Larger shapes | 13–14 cm closed; up to 4.5" blade | The Trapper (14 cm), the Droit (13 cm), a slip-joint hunting knife with leather case | 12C27 Sandvik | $199.95 | Outdoor use, bigger hands, longer cuts |
| Signature and collector knives | |||||
| Signature series | Mostly 4.75" closed | Themed designs: Terre d'Aubrac, Secret Garden, La Perle, Feather, Cosmos, Le Bijou, Tour Eiffel (numbered of 2,000), America's 250th; many in oak cases | 12C27 Sandvik; some Damascus | $219.95 | A gift with a story, at less than collector prices |
| Belle Droit | 11 cm closed | Lockback; hand-decorated, straight-backed profile | 12C27 Sandvik | $459.95 | Collectors who want a locking blade |
| Belle Pièce | 4.75" closed / 3 mm spine, drop point | One-of-a-kind: hand-cut guilloché or pierced spine, sculpted bee, pierced bolsters; leather and satin drawer case | 12C27 Sandvik; some Damascus | $479.95 | The highest level of hand work the workshop offers |
Prices are the lowest-priced knife in each line that is in stock today; sets and steak knives are not included. "12 cm", "11 cm" and "9 cm" are closed lengths. Belle Pièce knives run to $1,349.95 for mammoth-ivory crust handles. Use the buttons above to filter. Swipe the table sideways on a phone.
Who each line is for
Classic 9 cm
Choose it if: you want a handmade Laguiole that disappears in a pocket or a handbag.
Think twice if: you will slice bread or saucisson with it; the 12 cm does that better.
Classic 11 cm
Choose it if: you want almost the full blade length in a slimmer handle.
Think twice if: you want the widest choice of handles; many 11 cm models sell out.
Classic 12 cm
Choose it if: you want the knife most French owners carry, in the handle you like best.
Think twice if: you want a heavier, more formal knife; look at the double plate.
Classic with corkscrew
Choose it if: you want one tool for the picnic basket.
Think twice if: you open wine often; a dedicated sommelier corkscrew has a lever and is faster.
Double plate
Choose it if: you like polished steel at both ends and a knife with more weight in the hand.
Think twice if: you want the lightest knife to carry every day.
Damascus
Choose it if: you want a layered blade pattern that no other knife will share.
Think twice if: you want zero maintenance; carbon Damascus must be dried at once and oiled now and then.
Larger shapes
Choose it if: you need a longer blade for outdoor or camp use.
Think twice if: you want the classic Laguiole silhouette.
Signature series
Choose it if: you want a themed design, often in its own oak case, for a gift.
Think twice if: you want a plain traditional knife.
Belle Droit
Choose it if: you want a decorated collector's knife whose blade locks open.
Think twice if: you want the classic curved Laguiole profile.
Belle Pièce
Choose it if: you want a one-of-a-kind knife with the workshop's finest hand decoration.
Think twice if: it will be your everyday working knife.
Caring for your knife
Wash the blade by hand in warm water with a little mild soap and dry it immediately; never put a Laguiole in the dishwasher, which cracks horn, dries out wood and voids the warranty. A drop of mineral oil on the pivot a few times a year keeps the action crisp, and a light wipe on horn or wood handles keeps them from drying. 12C27 sharpens easily on a fine whetstone or ceramic rod at about 20 degrees. Damascus blades should be dried straight after use and given a thin film of oil. Full instructions are on our care and tips page.
Questions
Which Laguiole en Aubrac pocket knife should I start with?
The classic 12 cm (4.75") knife in olivewood or buffalo horn. It is the traditional full size and the knife most French owners carry. If you want something smaller, the 9 cm (3.5") starts at $109.95.
Do the lines use different steel?
Almost every line uses Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. The Damascus line uses layered Damascus, including 160-layer and VG-10 San Mai blades. Some signature and Belle Pièce knives also have Damascus blades.
What does "12 cm" mean?
It is the length of the knife when closed. A 12 cm (4.75") knife has a blade of about 4 inches; a 9 cm (3.5") knife has a blade of about 3 inches.
What is the difference between single plate and double plate?
A single-plate knife has a bolster at the blade end only. A double-plate knife adds a second bolster at the end of the handle, so it is heavier and has polished steel at both ends. Neither changes how the blade cuts.
Does a Laguiole en Aubrac blade lock?
The classic Laguiole is a slip-joint: the spring holds the blade open but does not lock it. The Belle Droit line has a lockback.
Where are the knives made?
In Espalion, Aveyron, in the historic Laguiole area of the Aubrac in France, by Laguiole en Aubrac, founded in 1992. Each knife comes with a certificate of authenticity.
What does the warranty cover?
Knives bought from our shop carry a limited lifetime warranty against manufacturing defects. Dishwasher use voids it.
Shop all Laguiole en Aubrac folding knives · Still deciding? Read our best Laguiole knives buying guide.