$491.00 CAD
This is a Laguiole Corkscrew knife with Awl, also called a Laguiole 3 piece:
One of the most difficult to make, the three pieces is increasingly hard to find. The true purpose of this often misunderstood Laguiole knife resides first and foremost in the fact that it was a Cattlemen's tool (see "The Awl").
The corkscrew was added to the Laguiole knife in the 1880s. This addition was the result of the sale of corked wine bottles in urban society and, in response to the demand of Aveyronnais who emigrated to work in the cafes of Paris. Cafe owners and waiters were to remain loyal to their traditions.
This Laguiole knife is entirely handmade in the village of Laguiole and features a forged T12 steel blade. Handmade in the village of Laguiole, France, Forge de Laguiole knives are truly and by far of the highest quality offered in the market today. Additionally, each of these masterpieces is entirely handmade by the same craftsman to ensure pride in the completed piece.
As some retailers may make you believe, mostly by ignorance, the Awl is not a punch or a tool to take out knots; it is a rudimentary "Trocar." Most of us who did not spend years in medical school do not know what a Trocar is; it is a surgical instrument used to puncture body cavities.
You may ask yourself why a cattlemen would need such an instrument; here is why: Herds of cattle do not always stay in their assigned fields; although the dogs usually keep them put, they do escape from time to time. The worse fields a cow can escape to are the ones that contain "Luzerne" Luzerne is a legume or a plant that produces nitrogen through its root system contributing to an animal's suffering from "bloat" if they overeat or eat it at a particular time, i.e., when the grass is damp and young (young grass contains more of the toxin).
"Bloat" is the technical name for what happens, i.e., the animal "blows up" or "bloats" from the gas produced in its rumen (which is one of the four compartments of its digestive system). If the bloat is not relieved in time, the cattlemen will lose their herd as most animals will succumb to internal stomach pressure. The only way to save the animal was to puncture the stomach to relieve the pressure, so they used whatever was at hand, including pieces of barbed wire, nails, or sharp sticks, until the Awl was integrated into their knives.
The Awl's shape and size are shaped in a way that prevents cattlemen from injuring the animal by inserting the Awl too deep; the triangular angles of the Awl create a "clean" puncture that is, more or less, self-healing. Notches are often found on various models, they are purely decorative.
Horn Tip from domestic cattle. The tip of the horn is the hardest and most durable, Inferior horn handles are made from the bottom of the horn which will warp with time.
Note:The horn handle of the item your receive may not be totally black but rather have some lighter areas. If you are looking for an absolute black horn handle please contact us before placing your order. If one is available we will place it aside before you place your order.
Forge de Laguiole pocket knives are shipped same business day from Florida when ordered by 4 PM Eastern time. UPS delivery can be expected in 1 to 3 business days depending on destination. International shipping options are available at checkout.
The ultra-modern Forge de Laguiole workshop was created by French designer
Philippe Starck and feature an 18 meters (58 feet) gleaming blade
soaring into the sky above Laguiole.
* We provide free U.S. base warranty and repair support for Forge de Laguiole items purchased from one of our U.S retailers or Laguiole-Imports.com.
Forge de Laguiole items purchased overseas or from an unauthorized retail channel will need to be shipped to France and back to the U.S. at the owner's expanse. The original retail channel will need to be contacted for assistance.
For best care, refrain from submerging in water and dry immediately. We recommend using Tuf-Glide Oil-Free Lubricant 1/4 oz Pen. Periodically apply a few drops of lubricant to the axle of all moving parts to maintain optimal performance.
