LAGUIOLEŽ - THE WORLD'S MOST ELEGANT CUTLERY

In a throwaway society, here is an object you will keep for the rest of your life, then leave to your grandchildren - LaguioleŽ, the world's most elegant pipe knife. LaguioleŽ cutlery stands for living well.

The LaguioleŽ (pronounced lay-Ohl) originated in the 1800's as a herdsman's knife and is a blend of Spanish and French craft influences. Knives in this style were first produced by Pierre Jean Calmels in 1829. Today, LaguioleŽ knives are crafted completely by hand in the small town that bears their name, located in the Aveyron region of South Central France.

The Briar and Olivewood models come with the body, blade and pick in a brushed satin finish, while both of the Horn models, the Snakewood model, and the Rosewood model come with the body, blade and pick in a high-polish finish.

An important note about scales: Since horn and precious woods are natural products, they will have variations in the type and tightness of the grain, as well as the colouration. Horn scales vary DRAMATICALLY in colour, from milky white to jet black. (Generally speaking, more than half fall right in the middle, with both lighter and darker streaking running through the grain.) The pictures we have on the individual description pages are representative of the quality of the graining, but the item you receive will most likely have different graining from the picture. If this is a concern to you, please contact customer service and we will do what we can to match your desire with our inventory, or we will special-order a piece if possible.

GUARANTEES, AND HOW TO CARE FOR YOUR LAGUIOLEŽ

The quality and workmanship of your LaguioleŽ knife is guaranteed for life. However, proper care can help eliminate any problems you may encounter:

1. Once in a while, place a small drop of oil at the junction of the blade and the handle.

2. Never snap the blade closed; ease it closed to maintain the edge.

3. Never sharpen the blade on a grinding wheel - use a high-quality oil or water stone, or a ceramic sharpener. All of our LaguiolesŽ are 440-grade stainless steel with a Rockwell hardness of 56/54.

4. Do not soak the wooden or horn tip handles in water; oil the wood from time to time with a fine wood polish. Wipe horn handles clean with a soft cloth. Polish brass bolsters with any high quality brass polish.

5. An additional note: All of our horn handles are horn tip - matched from the solid tips of the same cow horn. Horn tip is denser, more stable and has more depth and character than the hollow part of the horn more commonly used in knife handles.

ONE LAST THING: LaguioleŽ makes a large number of knives and other cutlery, all made to the highest standards. Since we are an authorized LaguioleŽ dealer, we can order anything from the LaguioleŽ line, including cigar cutters, pocket knives, and the most beautiful corkscrew ever made, Le Sommelier. If you have interest in any of the other fine LaguioleŽ products available, please contact customer service and we be happy to discuss your desires.

Each LaguioleŽ is an original piece, hand-fashioned from brass, 440 stainless steel, horn tip or precious woods, and engraved with the distinctive LaguioleŽ bee. Open one of these fine pipe tools and hold it: Nothing fits the hand like a LaguioleŽ.

LAGUIOLEŽ OPTIONS

Each handmade LaguioleŽ Pipe Knife comes with a rounded blade for reaming and scraping, an extended pick, and an ergonomically designed tamping end. The shape of the handle and frame is curved slightly at the tamp end so the wrist is not bent in an uncomfortable position during tamping. Your LaguioleŽ will be delivered in a LaguioleŽ leather pouch and gift box.