on September 23, 2025
It is with immense pride that Forge de Laguiole presents a knife unlike any other — their very first knife to be awarded with the official ‘Couteau de Laguiole’ Geographical Indication (GI) label.
This is a landmark moment in the history of Forge de Laguiole. For centuries, artisans in the village have carried forward the ancestral know-how of forging knives by hand. Now, France has officially recognised that heritage through the GI label — a protection usually reserved for iconic French products such as Champagne, Roquefort, or Cognac.
The First of Its Kind
This knife holds a special place in history: it is the first model authorised to carry the GI recognition. It represents the beginning of a process that will eventually extend to more Forge de Laguiole creations, but it is important to understand that this journey is long, rigorous, and highly bureaucratic.
Each model must pass through strict evaluations to ensure it fully complies with the technical specifications of the GI. This is not a rubber stamp; it is a guarantee of absolute authenticity.
What the GI Label Means
The GI label guarantees that this knife has been:
- Manufactured entirely within the Laguiole region,
- Produced according to strict, state-defined specifications,
- Created in full respect of tradition and ancestral know-how.
This recognition restores integrity to the Laguiole name, which has too often been misused by imitators and mass producers. With the GI label, customers can now identify the true Laguiole knife with certainty.
A Model that Embodies the Recognition
Forge de Laguiole presents a unique knife that embodies the spirit of the GI label.
- Handle of 5,000-year-old fossilised oak: extracted from the Rhine river, a material that has endured millennia, now transformed into a noble tribute to history.
- French steel blade: hot-forged for remarkable sharpness and durability, reflecting the excellence they stand for.
- Symbols of heritage: in place of the shepherd’s cross, an ancient diamond recalls the earliest farmers’ knives; the chiselled Saint Andrew’s cross honours André of Aubrac.
This knife is not only a work of art — it is a symbol of continuity, history and protection.
A Historic Milestone for France
The awarding of the GI label to the Couteau de Laguiole places it among the most protected and respected cultural products of France. For collectors, chefs, and connoisseurs worldwide, it provides certainty: a Forge de Laguiole knife is not a reproduction, nor an imitation. It is the most authentic Laguiole, born in its birthplace, carrying the legacy of the Aubrac plateau.
Why It Matters
For decades, the name “Laguiole” has been misused by mass producers and foreign imitators. The GI label now draws a clear line in the sand. Only knives crafted in the Laguiole region, following the strict traditions, may bear the name.
This moment restores integrity to the Laguiole knife, protects the artisans who uphold the craft, and assures every customer that they are holding not only a knife — but a protected piece of French heritage.
