Chateau Laguiole Le First Special Edition Corkscrew

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The "Le First" model is a close replica of the first and only Chateau Laguiole corkscrew that was launched in 1993. To everyone's surprise, including Mr. Vialis (the owner/creator of the brand) around 80,000 units were sold that year. Soon "Le First" was followed by many other models. The major visible difference between the appearance of the first Chateau Laguiole and this replica is the absence of the two vertical lines located on the bottom bolster.

The bolsters and liners of this particular model are made of solid cold forged brass instead of stainless steel.

The sheath: The original Chateau Laguiole black belt sheath is used by countless waiters around the world. This sheath accommodates belts up to 2 1/2" wide. Each sheath is made from carefully selected genuine cowhide and is manufactured by Max Capdebarth of France. 

    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.

    Besides the overall quality of the final product that has been dramatically improved, a few visual differences are worth noting. Yes, the original Chateau Laguiole classic was beloved by millions of wine lovers but it did have a couple of weaknesses.

    • The "bee" was soldered and could (and did) sometimes come off after a fall. The new model now features a forged bee, no more soldering! The bee is now an integral part of the spring (the decorated top part).
    • The original Chateau Laguiole Classic's most noticeable weakness was the two plates (called liners) just under the handle material. After several hundred bottles, the pin holding the screw could sometimes warp the one-millimeter plates causing premature failure of the corkscrew (fixed free under warranty). The new model now features two 1.5 millimeter plates to resolve the issue.
    • New bottom bolster. Although this is solely a cosmetic difference, the new bolster was created for two reasons. The first was to give the waiter-style corkscrew a sleeker appearance by removing the grooves and, most importantly, to help recognize the newest model instantly.

    Important note: If you consider purchasing a Chateau Laguiole that doesn't have a smooth bottom bolster (the part that holds the foil cutter) you may become the owner of one of two versions:
    1) An older version of a Chateau Laguiole classic model.
    2) A fake Chateau Laguiole reproduction made in China.

    french flag color with made in france under it

    Since 2020 all genuine Château Laguiole corkscrews come with a registration card to be validated online. This is the only assurance of their authenticity and warranty.

    A Chateau Laguiole collector's display is availabe here (new window).

    Chateau Laguiole 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.

    french flag with made in france text under it

    Partenaire Officiel  de l'Union de la  Sommellerie Française 500

    *We provide free U.S. base warranty and repair support exclusively to our customers. Items purchased elsewhere will need to be shipped to France and back to the U.S. at the owner's expanse. The original retailer will need to be contacted for assistance.

    All Chateau Laguiole wine openers are made of 12C27 stainless steel and weigh around 4 oz (113 grams). The overall length closed is 4.5 inches (11.40 cm).
    The foils cutter is serrated and measures 1.5/8 inches ~ 4.06 cm).

    Hand wash only, do not immerse in water. We Recommend the use of Tuf-Glide Oil-Free Lubricant 1/4 oz Pen. Periodically place a couple of drops of lubricant on the axle of all moving parts.

    Sentry-Solutions Tuf Glide 1/4 oz. Pen-Applicator