The ancestral method of making a folding knife

DISCOVER OUR LAGUIOLE KNIFE PRODUCTION

1. The manufacture of spare parts

This is the first manufacturing step, where the parts of the knife begin to emerge. The cutting is carried out using cutters operated manually by one of our employees. The different shapes are therefore derived from dies (models in the shape of the different parts). During this first step, we obtain the beginnings of the blades, bolsters, plates, springs and bees. Following cutting, the artisanal manufacture of our parts requires a significant number of steps. The blade of a closing Laguiole Knife involves more than 20 manufacturing steps.

2. The Quench

Quenching is a heat treatment. The blades and springs are heated in an oven to over 900 degrees, as soon as they come out of the oven, the parts are soaked in a cold oil bath. The subtle marriage of fire, air and oil thus offers great resistance and flexibility to steels.

3.Cutting and shaping of the handle

The cutting and shaping of the handles from the raw horns is done meticulously by a master sealer according to the length of the handles required. The plates are heated in a coal oven which softens the horn, which is then pressed into a mould which gives the shape of the handle. The handle is then trimmed and finally smoothed by a grinding wheel. Precious woods and noble materials such as horn tip, ivory and many others are shaped by master cutlers.

4. Assembly and adjustment

The artisanal and traditional adjustment and assembly of your knife is carried out manually by one person, unlike an industrial knife whose steps are repeated on a line or by a machine. Each piece is unique because it is handmade by our master craftsman. The plates and the springs are manually drilled with great finesse.

5. Follow-up

Your knife is thus checked for both, its mechanics and its aesthetics (assembly adjustment and finishing).

6. Polishing

This is the last step concerning the blade of your knife : mat brushing, « shiny » polishing. Our brushing/ polishing process gives a particular aesthetic semi-matt finish to form the blade. It is the same process for the bolsters. The handles are polished or glossy depending on the materials used or the expected final rendering.

7. Sharpening

The blade of your knife is affiliated and sharpened to the grinding wheel by a specialized craftsman.

8. Checking and wiping

Your knife is checked again, then cleaned and wiped dry before packing.