Laguiole Knife With or Without a Corkscrew: Which Should You Choose?

At IForge, our knife makers in Thiers help customers make this choice every day.

Are you hesitating between a Laguiole knife with or without a corkscrew?

The first is more versatile and particularly well suited to wine lovers.
The second is slimmer, lighter and more discreet for everyday carry.

Discover all the differences you need to know to choose the model that best suits your needs.

3 Key Points to Remember

• A Laguiole knife without a corkscrew is slimmer, lighter and available from 9 cm.

• A Laguiole knife with a corkscrew is more versatile and ideal for wine lovers and outdoor meals.

• The best choice depends above all on how you intend to use your knife every day, rather than on appearance alone.

A Little History: The Corkscrew Wasn't Always There

The original Laguiole knife, made by knife makers in the Aubrac region in the early 19th century, did not have a corkscrew.

It was a single-piece knife: a handle, a blade and a spring. That was all.

Corkscrews had already appeared on other multi-tool knives as early as the 18th century, but these were mainly small corkscrews designed for perfume bottles or other limited applications and were not particularly practical.

When Did the Corkscrew Appear on the Laguiole Knife?

Everything began to change around 1880.

At that time, bottles sealed with cork stoppers were becoming increasingly common, while many people from Aveyron - known as Rouergats - were leaving the Aubrac region to settle in Paris, where many worked as café owners and beverage merchants.

Proud of their roots, these café owners carried and used their Laguiole knives every day.

But to open bottles for their customers, they needed an additional tool. The solution was simple: integrate a spiral corkscrew directly into the knife.

This gave birth to the two-piece Laguiole knife - blade + corkscrew - sometimes referred to as a Laguiole sommelier knife.

The first three-piece models - blade + awl + corkscrew - appeared around the same period.

The concept quickly became popular. The Laguiole knife with corkscrew became an emblematic companion for those who enjoyed good food, good wine and convivial occasions, from picnics to festive meals.

Today, the corkscrew is so closely associated with the Laguiole knife that many people forget that it remains an option rather than an essential feature.

One-Piece Laguiole Knife (Without Corkscrew): Pure Simplicity

The Laguiole knife without a corkscrew represents the knife in its purest form.

A handle, a blade and a spring. That's all - and for many uses, that's all you need.

The Advantages

1. A Slimmer Handle

Without the space required to house a corkscrew, the handle is slimmer, flatter and more elegant.

It slips easily into a jeans or jacket pocket without creating unnecessary bulk. For anyone who carries a knife every day, this extra discretion makes a real difference.

2. Lighter Weight

Fewer metal components mean a slightly lighter knife.

The difference is modest - just a few grams - but it can be noticeable when carrying the knife every day, particularly when hiking or keeping it in a shirt pocket.

3. A Cleaner Silhouette

Cutlery purists will often tell you that the one-piece Laguiole has the most elegant silhouette.

The curve of the handle is not interrupted by the end of the corkscrew, allowing the knife to retain the clean lines of the original 19th-century design.

This is often the preferred choice among collectors and enthusiasts who appreciate minimalist objects.

4. A Wider Choice of Sizes

The Laguiole knife without a corkscrew is available in all sizes:

9, 10, 11 and 12 cm.

It is also the only option if you want a Laguiole knife measuring 9 or 10 cm.

Models with a corkscrew are only available from 11 cm upwards because the handle needs to be long enough to accommodate a functional corkscrew.

Who Is a Laguiole Knife Without a Corkscrew Ideal For?

It is particularly suitable for:

• Everyday urban use

• A discreet pocket knife

• A gift for someone who does not drink wine

• A collector's knife

• A Laguiole knife for women, with the 9 and 10 cm sizes particularly well suited to smaller hands

Two-Piece Laguiole Knife (With Corkscrew): Maximum Versatility

The Laguiole knife with a corkscrew is the knife for lovers of good food, wine and convivial moments.

It is a versatile tool that cuts, opens bottles and is always ready in its owner's pocket.

The Advantages

There are several advantages to choosing a Laguiole knife with a corkscrew.

1. Everyday Practicality

Who hasn't arrived at a picnic, campsite or gathering with friends only to discover that nobody has a corkscrew?

With a two-piece Laguiole knife, that problem disappears.

Your knife performs both functions - and you quickly become the person everyone turns to when a bottle needs opening.

2. Tradition

Since the days of the Aveyron café owners in the 1880s, the Laguiole knife with corkscrew has become a symbol of conviviality and the French art de vivre.

Using your Laguiole knife to open a bottle outdoors is more than simply practical. It has become a ritual appreciated by wine enthusiasts almost as much as the wine itself.

3. Corkscrew Quality

On our IForge knives, the corkscrew is made from stainless steel and features four turns with a diameter of 8 mm.

This is a genuine, functional corkscrew rather than a decorative gadget. It allows you to remove a natural cork cleanly without breaking it, provided that you use the correct technique, which we explain below.

What You Should Know About a Laguiole Knife With a Corkscrew

The Handle Is Slightly Thicker

The space required for the corkscrew adds a few millimeters to the thickness of the handle.

This gives the two-piece Laguiole its characteristic rounded profile.

Some people see this as an advantage because it provides a fuller grip, while others prefer the slimmer profile of the one-piece version. Ultimately, it is a matter of personal preference.

Available Sizes: 11 and 12 cm Only

The corkscrew needs enough room to fit inside the handle.

Below 11 cm, it would be too short to work effectively.

If you want a 9 or 10 cm Laguiole knife, you will therefore need to choose a model without a corkscrew.

The 12 cm Model Is Best for Opening Bottles

The corkscrew on the 12 cm model is longer than the one fitted to the 11 cm version.

In practical terms, this makes removing a cork easier and smoother with the 12 cm knife.

If the corkscrew is an important feature for you, we recommend choosing this size.

Who Is a Laguiole Knife With a Corkscrew Ideal For?

It is particularly suitable for:

• Wine lovers

• Picnic enthusiasts

• Hikers

• People who enjoy entertaining friends and family

• Anyone who enjoys outdoor meals

• A gift for someone who appreciates wine and French gastronomy

Laguiole Knife With vs. Without a Corkscrew: Comparison

Our advice:

Choose a Laguiole knife without a corkscrew if:

• You are looking for a discreet pocket knife

• You want a 9 or 10 cm model

• Slimness and light weight are your priorities

Choose a Laguiole knife with a corkscrew if:

• You regularly open wine bottles

• You enjoy picnics and outdoor meals

• You want the most versatile knife possible

How to Use the Corkscrew on Your Laguiole Knife

Opening a bottle with a Laguiole knife is slightly different from using a conventional lever corkscrew.

It is a technique that takes a little practice - but once mastered, it becomes an elegant and satisfying gesture.

Here is the method recommended by our knife makers in four steps.

1. Unfold the Corkscrew

The corkscrew folds into the handle on the opposite side from the blade.

Pull it outward until it is fully open.

If it feels slightly stiff on a new knife, this is normal. It will become smoother with use. If it remains excessively stiff, our workshop can adjust it free of charge.

2. Cut the Foil

Use the blade of your Laguiole knife - or the tip of the corkscrew - to remove the foil covering the cork.

Make a clean cut just below the lip of the bottle.

3. Screw the Corkscrew Into the Cork

This is the most important step - and the one where many people make a mistake.

Insert the tip of the corkscrew slightly off-center rather than directly into the middle of the cork.

Turn clockwise slowly until only one turn of the spiral remains visible above the cork.

Do not screw it in any further, as you could pierce the bottom of the cork and cause pieces of cork to fall into the wine.

4. Remove the Cork

Pull upward on the handle of your Laguiole knife while making a gentle side-to-side rocking motion.

The key is to be gentle. Pulling too suddenly can break the cork.

With a little practice, the cork can be removed in one smooth movement.

Knife maker's tip: for an old or fragile cork, lightly moisten the corkscrew before inserting it. This can reduce friction and help limit the risk of breaking the cork.

Our Recommendation: Laguiole Knife With or Without a Corkscrew?

If you are still hesitating, ask yourself one simple question:

Do you regularly open bottles outdoors?

If the answer is yes - at picnics, drinks on the terrace, hiking trips or family meals in the garden - choose the Laguiole with corkscrew. You are unlikely to regret having it with you.

If you carry your knife every day and discreet pocket carry is your priority, or if you want a 9 or 10 cm knife, choose the Laguiole without a corkscrew.

It is the Laguiole knife in its purest form, and it needs nothing more to fulfill its purpose perfectly.

Want both?

Many of our customers eventually own both:

• A Laguiole without a corkscrew for everyday use

• A Laguiole with a corkscrew for special occasions and outdoor meals

After all, a knife with a lifetime warranty doesn't wear out... your collection simply grows.

→ Discover our Laguiole knives with corkscrews

→ Discover our Laguiole knives without corkscrews

→ Create your custom Laguiole knife - with or without a corkscrew

FAQ

Does a Corkscrew Make a Laguiole Knife More Fragile?

No. On a quality Laguiole knife, adding a corkscrew does not weaken the mechanism.

It is incorporated into the knife from the design stage and does not compromise either the strength of the blade or the durability of the spring.

Why Don't 9 and 10 cm Laguiole Knives Have Corkscrews?

The handle is simply too short to accommodate a corkscrew that is long enough to work effectively.

This is why Laguiole knives with corkscrews are generally available from 11 cm upwards.

Does the Corkscrew Add Much Weight to the Knife?

No. The corkscrew only adds a few grams.

The difference is more noticeable in the thickness of the handle than in the overall weight of the knife.

Which Model Should I Give to Someone Who Doesn't Drink Wine?

A Laguiole knife without a corkscrew is generally the best choice.

It is slimmer, lighter and available in a wider range of sizes, making it ideal for everyday use without adding a feature that the recipient is unlikely to use.

Can the Corkscrew Be Used With All Natural Corks?

Yes, provided that the correct technique is used.

A quality corkscrew can remove most natural corks without breaking them. With very old or fragile corks, extra care should be taken during extraction.

Is a Laguiole Knife With a Corkscrew More Comfortable to Hold?

That depends on personal preference.

Its handle is slightly thicker, providing a fuller grip. By contrast, the model without a corkscrew appeals to those who prefer a slimmer knife that is more discreet in the pocket.

Should I Choose an 11 cm or 12 cm Laguiole Knife With a Corkscrew?

If you regularly use the corkscrew, the 12 cm model is generally the more comfortable choice because it has a longer corkscrew.

The 11 cm model remains an excellent compromise between versatility and compact size.