Maintenance guide for Folding Knives, Divot tools & Cigar Cutters
Please take a moment to discover your new treasure and appreciate the work of the makers.
To ensure the longevity of your Forge de Laguiole product, we recommend reading our maintenance guide prior to use. Your knife requires just a minimum amount of care to stay in excellent condition.
We provide repair and maintenance services for all products produced by Forge de Laguiole (subject to the availability of specific materials and spare parts). All products are guaranteed against manufacturing defects under normal use.
Your piece can be polished, sharpened or repaired with care by Forge de Laguioles master knife smiths. If you require service, please contact us via Whatsapp or hello@u-e-i.com.au and attach a photo of your product to help us identify the model.
Once we receive your request, our team will guide you through the next steps. Please ensure you keep all broken or loose parts to allow for a complete assessment.
Upon receiving your knife, our team will carry out a full inspection and send you a detailed estimate if applicable. No billable repair work will be undertaken without your prior agreement.
Please note that because all work is carried out exclusively at the Forge de Laguiole factory in France, you should generally allow approximately six weeks for the service or repair of your product.
By following these maintenance tips, your Forge de Laguiole knife will remain a faithful companion for many years, ready to be passed on to future generations!
As a rule, Laguiole knives should be protected from excessive moisture. The natural materials used for the handles, such as precious woods or horn, are sensitive to humidity. Therefore, please ensure your knives are wiped thoroughly dry before storing them in a moisture-free environment. To maintain the longevity of the blade and metal parts, you can apply a little bit of oil (cooking oil), to create a protective film.
Important Precaution: Never soak your knives, submerge natural handles in water, or place them in a dishwasher.
General Care
Mechanism Maintenance
To ensure the smooth operation of any folding mechanism, whether on a knife, cigar cutter, or divot tool, we recommend applying a small drop of oil occasionally. You may use a standard 3-in-1 multipurpose oil or a simple vegetable oil.
Application Instructions:
Apply: With the item in the closed position, place a drop of oil on the pivot point or joint (where the moving part meets the handle/spring).
Distribute: Open and close the mechanism a few times to ensure the oil coats the internal movement evenly.
Clean: Wipe away any excess oil with a soft cloth.
How to Safely Close Your Knife
To preserve the sharp edge of your Forge de Laguiole knife, you must always "accompany" the blade gently into the handle, never let it snap shut.
Hold the knife with the blade facing downwards.
With one hand, pinch the bolster (the metal part at the top of the handle) between your thumb and index finger, right next to the Bee.
With your other hand, grip the blunt side (spine) of the blade, keeping your fingers close to the bolster.
Using the leverage of your palms, slowly guide the blade toward the handle.
As the blade approaches the handle, you will feel the spring tension pulling it in. Resist this pull and gently ease the blade into its final closed position.
Why is this important? Although the artisans build a "stop" into the mechanism to prevent the blade from pressing into the spring while stored, this stop cannot prevent damage from a high-impact snap. Letting the blade snap shut can blunt the edge instantly. Always close it silently to protect your product.
Handles, Bolsters & Storage
Handle Care
Wood: Wooden handles may develop a natural patina over time. To protect the wood and maintain its luster, nourish it occasionally with a small amount of linseed oil.
Horn: Natural horn is sensitive to humidity and temperature fluctuations. Always store horn knives in a dry place at room temperature.
Mammoth Ivory, Bone, & Warthog Tusk: Special care is required for storage. Do not store these knives inside a leather sheath for prolonged periods. Chemicals used in the leather tanning process can permanently stain these porous materials.
Synthetics & Metals: Handles made of stainless steel, aluminum, acrylic, or compressed fabric are durable and low-maintenance. Simply wipe them with a damp cloth followed by a dry cloth.
Bolster Care
Brass Bolsters: If brass oxidizes or loses its shine, apply a brass/copper polishing product (such as Mirror). Rub vigorously to restore the original brilliance.
Stainless Steel Bolsters: These are easy to maintain; a quick wipe with a damp cloth is sufficient.
General Caution: Regardless of the material, metal parts are susceptible to scratching if it comes into contact with other metal objects, such as keys or coins.
Sharpening
To preserve the optimal quality of your blade, we recommend regular sharpening using one of the following methods:
Natural Stone: Soak the stone in water for approximately ten minutes before use. Sharpen the blade by maintaining a constant angle of 20°. Please refer to the demonstration image below for visual guidance.
Horl Rolling Sharpener: We also highly recommend using a Horl Sharpener. As the inventors of the rolling sharpener, Horl offers the best performance and quality on the market and ensures a consistent edge with ease.
Heavy Restoration Regular maintenance is key. However, if the blade edge is heavily damaged or requires professional re-profiling, please contact us for after-sales service rather than attempting to fix it yourself.
Proper Use & Warranty Please use your knife only for its intended purpose. Damage caused by such misuse is not covered under warranty.
After-sales Service
