The knife is one of the first tools that was made by man to accompany him in his daily life as a weapon or for cutting. It has continued to evolve according to the uses that are made of it and its users: peasant knife, princes' knife, unique art object or kitchen utensil for the housewife, professional instrument etc.
Built on the slopes of the ravine where the Durolle flows, between the plains of the Limage and the Dôme mountains, Thiers has established itself over the centuries as the capital of French cutlery. In addition to the Le Thiers model, many traditional regional knives are made there, including the famous Laguiole knife (since the 19th century).
The Arbalète G. David manufacturing is artisanal. Each piece is unique, shaped by the hand of the craftsman.
The Arbalète G. David brand has a wide range of products: Laguiole folding knives, tableware, hunting knives, regional knives, accessories, etc.
The Laguiole knife was created around 1829. It was inspired by two models: the Capuchadou (a fixed blade knife from the Aubrac farmers) and the Spanish Navaja (a pocket knife from Catalonia). During the harsh winters, the Aubrac farmers went to work in Catalonia. Back home, these seasonal workers brought back the famous Navaja with them. In 1840, the punch was added. This was regularly used by shepherds to pierce the bellies of cattle. In 1880, the corkscrew was added. It was very useful for the Aveyronnais who were waiters in Paris. Thiers being the French capital of cutlery, at the beginning of the 20th century, the craftsmen of Thiers and Laguiole worked together to develop the Laguiole knife. At the beginning of the 1950s, the Laguiole was mainly manufactured in the Thiernois basin. The Laguiole knife would only be produced in limited quantities in Laguiole until the end of the 20th century.
Cutlery was able to develop in Thiers thanks to the driving force of the Durolle about 8 centuries ago. As early as 1240, there were about forty cutlers, then at the end of the 15th century they represented a quarter of the population and in the middle of the 16th century, 170 cutlers. Finally in 1615, there were 416 master cutlers and 1293 workers.
Where did this activity start? Various possibilities exist: from the return of Auvergne Crusaders to the displacement of the population of cutlers from Chateldon driven out by the plague (20 'north of Thiers), to the poor land...
Along the Durolle, paper mills, mills, tanneries, and grinding wheels were set up.
Around 1580, the corporation was organized into Jurande, rules that organized the profession. At the same time, a table of marks was created. This table was made of lead. All the cutlers' marks were struck on it for more than 130 years (from 1596 to 1808).
During this period,
-the establishment of wholesale businesses favored the development of the activity: distribution was national but also in border countries.
-the division of labor was established in manufacturing and distribution.
During the 19th century, industrialization took place. With the disappearance of paper mills and tanneries, cutlery factories invested even more in the Durolle gorges.
-hydraulic energy improved engines
-the advent of stamping in 1888 by Mr Mr Delaire which allowed a more standardized and rapid manufacturing than the traditional hammer for stretching
-a second brand table was created and operated from 1812 to 1857. This time it was made of silver. It was supplemented by a pewter one (visible at the commercial court) and even a paper register used until 1902 (replaced by the National Office of Industrial Property which would become the INPI).
- the democratization of tableware influences this development
- in 1825, the workforce is 5,000 workers and during the Universal Exhibition of 1880, the workforce is 12,000 workers
- installation of suppliers on Thiers: for steel, manufacturers of packaging, crates, transport companies, ...
Anecdote of the yellow bellies: these are the grinders lying on their grindstones a dog lying on their legs to keep them warm.
At the beginning of the 20th century, a new development with the arrival of electricity (Sauviat power station near Courpière).
- the factories of the Durolle gorges (or Rouets valley) move to accessible places.
-the arrival of stainless steel and the first plastics -subcontracting and mechanization are pushed
-companies move into other markets: automotive, armaments, pleasure boating, etc.
After the 2nd World War, production increased until the 70s, then decreased until the 2010s, particularly with competition from Asia.
-creation of the Coutellia show in 1991
-creation of the Thiers Knife Brotherhood in 1993
