Slicing a roast, carrying a knife in your pocket, opening a bottle of wine with friends...
Choosing the right laguiole knife is often less about price than about how you intend to use it. A pocket knife cannot replace a table knife, and you would not carry a kitchen knife in your jacket! A good knife, however, can often last a lifetime.
This guide will help you decide which knife to choose for your needs by looking at the main types of laguiole knives.
In summary: 4 uses and 4 types of knives
- For everyday use and carrying in your pocket: folding knife
- For meals: table knife, steak knife and sommelier knife
- For preparing food: kitchen knives
- For a gift or collection: Damascus and collector's knives
Before buying your laguiole knife, ask yourself these 3 questions
- Will I be carrying it with me?
- Will I be using it for cooking?
- Is it intended as a gift?
| Use | Recommended knife | Why? |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday use | Folding knife | Lightweight and versatile |
| Cooking | Chef's knife / paring knife | Food preparation |
| Meat | Steak knife | Clean and precise cutting |
| Wine | Sommelier knife | Integrated corkscrew |
| Gift | Damascus or personalized knife | A unique piece |
Our advice:
If you only want to own one knife, choose an 11 cm folding laguiole knife without a corkscrew. It is the most versatile option.
1. The everyday knife: the folding pocket knife
This is the most common and iconic use of a laguiole. A folding knife slips easily into your pocket and can be useful throughout the day: cutting an apple, slicing sausage or bread, opening a parcel or cutting a piece of string. As the blade folds into the handle, the knife can be carried safely.
How to choose the right folding pocket knife
- With or without a corkscrew: a model with a corkscrew is ideal if you often enjoy picnics or travel, while a version without a corkscrew is slimmer and lighter.
- Size: 11 cm closed for versatile everyday use, 12 cm for a more substantial grip, or 9 cm for a discreet knife that is easy to carry.
- Handle: wood for a classic look, horn for character, or colorful materials for a more original style.
Looking for a truly personal knife? Personalization allows you to choose each element, including the blade, handle, bolsters, spring and engraving, to create a unique folding laguiole knife.
2. The kitchen knife: for preparing food
In the kitchen, every task has its own knife. This is where choosing the right blade becomes particularly important. laguiole kitchen knives combine cutlery performance with French style.
- Paring knife: its small blade is ideal for peeling, preparing garlic and shallots, and cutting small fruit and vegetables. It is one of the most versatile knives for everyday food preparation.
- Chef's knife: its large, wide blade is designed for chopping, slicing and dicing and can handle most everyday kitchen tasks.
- Bread knife: its serrated blade cuts bread and brioche without crushing them.
- Cheese knife: designed for cutting both hard and soft cheeses.
For both table and kitchen knives, the choice of blade steel is important. Stainless steel is versatile and easy to maintain, while Damascus steel combines outstanding cutting performance with distinctive blade patterns.
Good to know: if you want matching cutlery for your entire table, a flatware set allows you to combine knives, forks, spoons and serving utensils in a consistent style. It also makes an excellent wedding or housewarming gift.
If you cook every day, we recommend investing in a good chef's knife first before buying a complete knife set.
3. The table knife: for enjoying every meal
At the table, a knife should cut cleanly and effortlessly while also complementing your table setting. The laguiole table knife is available in styles suitable for every occasion, from special dinners to everyday meals.
The steak knife
For meat, a steak knife with a fine, sharp blade is essential. Steak knives are often sold in sets of six and can be chosen to match your table setting, with handles made from wood, horn, stainless steel or colorful ABS.
The sommelier knife
Opening a bottle of wine elegantly requires the right tool. The sommelier knife combines a small blade for cutting the foil, a corkscrew and a bottle opener in one compact tool.
It is an ideal accessory for wine enthusiasts and professionals alike, and also makes an excellent gift for a wine lover.
An interesting piece of history: former cutlers from the Auvergne region who became cafe owners in Paris helped popularize knives fitted with corkscrews. This provides an important historical link between French cutlery and the world of wine.
4. A knife for a gift or collection
Some knives are chosen not simply for their practical use, but for their value as a beautiful gift or a piece to be passed down through generations.
Our Damascus collection features blades with distinctive patterns, while our collector's knives appeal to enthusiasts through their craftsmanship, finishes and rarity.
For a memorable gift, a personalized laguiole knife, with an engraved name or carefully selected handle, remains an excellent choice.
And for those who want to discover another aspect of traditional cutlery craftsmanship, straight razors are particularly appreciated by enthusiasts of traditional shaving.
Summary: which knife for which use?
- Everyday use / pocket: folding knife, with or without a corkscrew
- Food preparation: paring knife, chef's knife, bread knife or cheese knife
- Dining: table knife, steak knife, flatware set or sommelier knife
- Gift / collection: Damascus knife, collector's knife or personalized knife
Common mistakes to avoid when choosing your laguiole knife
1. Choosing a knife based only on appearance
A beautiful handle cannot compensate for a knife whose size, steel or blade shape is unsuitable for the way you intend to use it.
2. Expecting one knife to do everything
No single knife is perfect for every situation. A folding knife is excellent for everyday use, while a chef's knife will be far more efficient when preparing food.
One final tip: knife maintenance
Whatever knife you choose, a good knife can last for many years if you follow a few simple rules:
- Wipe the blade rather than washing the entire knife.
- Never put a folding knife in the dishwasher.
- Dry the knife after contact with moisture.
- Sharpen the blade regularly.
All iForge laguiole knives are covered by a lifetime warranty and can be resharpened in our workshop.
In short
You now know which knife best suits your needs!
All that remains is to choose yours from our laguiole knives made in France.
FAQ
Which knife should I choose for everyday use?
A folding knife is the most versatile choice. It can easily be carried in a pocket and used for cutting food, opening parcels or performing small everyday tasks. Depending on your needs, you can choose a model with or without a corkscrew.
What is the difference between a table knife and a steak knife?
A table knife is designed for general everyday use during meals. A steak knife has a finer and more efficient blade designed to cut meat cleanly without tearing it.
What is the best laguiole knife for cooking?
It depends on what you are preparing. A paring knife is ideal for small fruit and vegetables, a chef's knife for chopping and slicing, a bread knife for bread and brioche, and a cheese knife for cleanly cutting different types of cheese.
Should I choose stainless steel or Damascus steel?
Stainless steel is appreciated for its ease of maintenance and resistance to corrosion. Damascus steel offers exceptional cutting performance and distinctive patterns on the blade, making it an excellent choice for enthusiasts and collectors.
Which knife should I give as a gift?
A personalized laguiole knife is often one of the most appreciated choices. An engraving, a carefully selected handle or a Damascus steel blade can turn the knife into a unique gift that its owner can keep for many years.
What size folding knife should I choose?
An 11 cm knife when closed is suitable for most uses. A 12 cm knife provides a more substantial grip, while a 9 cm model is more discreet and easier to carry.
How should I maintain a laguiole knife?
Wipe the blade after use, always dry the knife after contact with moisture, sharpen it regularly and avoid putting it in the dishwasher, especially if it is a folding knife.
Are iForge laguiole knives guaranteed?
Yes. iForge laguiole knives are guaranteed for life and can be resharpened in our workshop in accordance with traditional French cutlery craftsmanship.