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FORGE DE LAGUIOLE DESIGNERS

Laguiole: at the cutting-edge of creativity

Laguiole may be firmly rooted in ancestral know-how but it has also inspired a wealth of modern talent to produce its unique collectors' pieces.

The designers that have offer their own interpretation of the Laguiole knife. 

Philippe Starck | Yan Pennor | Eric Raffy | Sonia Rykiel | Jean-Michel Wilmotte | C+B Lefebvre | Thomas Bastide | Olivier Gagnère | Matali Crasset | Pinel & Pinel | Christian Ghion | Andrée Putman | Hilton McConnico and Ora-ïto

 

1988: Laguiole design

In 1988 when Philippe Starck designed a Laguiole knife with a polished aluminum handle and a corrosion-resistant steel blade, this modern object seduced France as well as the United States. It was selected by the Colbert Committee to be displayed at the Cooper Hewitt Museum as part of an exposition on French Art of Living. Today, this knife is part of the permanent collection ‘Design at MOMA’ of the Museum of Modern Art in New York.

1990: A knife with a fly

In 1990 it is Yan Pennor’s turn to create a knife and he designed a curved knife with a stylized ‘fly’, a traditional Laguiole symbol. In 1991, Forge de Laguiole is awarded the French ‘Grand Prix de l’objet Design (best design object).

1992: Eric Raffy and Forge de Laguiole

In 1992, architect Eric Raffy created a Laguiole knife and this design won the ‘Blade Magazine Award’ for most innovative design in Atlanta (USA.) That same year, Forge de Laguiole also got a placement in the French pavilion during the World Expo in Seville and won the European Design Prize for its creative approach.

1995: Knife collections become fashionable

In 1995, the Laguiole knife becomes synonymous with luxury and is interpreted by Hermès. The Herlag knife illustrates the complexity of two different trades, that of leather and steel.

That same year, Sonia Rykiel, famous for her fashion, worked together with Forge de Laguiole to redesign the form of its famous knife. With its red, black and gold version she was the first to give the original rustic knife a feminine touch.

1995: The Laguiole sommelier

Late 1995, Forge de Laguiole launched the Sommelier. In 1996 it was awarded the Design Plus Prize at Ambiente, International Frankfurt Fair for its technical and innovative qualities as well as its exceptional design. Its operation principal was patented in 1989.

2002: Courrèges and Laguiole

In September 2002 it is Courrèges’ turn to create two Laguiole knives. The signature of the Parisian fashion house is found in the purity and the elegance of the lines, and the know-how of Forge de Laguiole is visible in the implementation of new materials. Resolutely modern, these knives are displayed in a transparent box.

2004: Neon knives by Wilmotte

In September 2004, Jean-Michel Wilmotte worked with his Studio Design W team to create a very innovate table knife from acrylic glass with bright fluorescent colors (blue, purple, yellow, fuchsia, lime green and red) as well as a new sommelier. Other designs include a small folding knife available in similar neon colors.

2006: Routard knife

This guide features a hiker on its cover with a globe drawn on his backpack. This globe is the logo of this collection. The artwork was created by the illustrator Solé for the 1975 edition. From now on, the backpackers have their own knife.

2007: 20 years of FORGE DE LAGUIOLE

Thomas Bastide, lover of glass and elegance, invented the Dandy pocketknife, a refined knife that is defined by its curvature and the presence of iridescent crystal Baccarat gems.

Starck designed the XXL (L for Laguiole, XXL for size) to celebrate 20 years of Laguiole.

2008: Chef knives

Matali Crasset designed a knife for pastry chef Pierre Hermé. This smart dessert knife has a dual function; it can cut and serve the cake simultaneously.

Olivier Gagnère combines history and modernity by creating a Laguiole folding ‘table’ knife inspired by the 1900s.

Catherine and Bruno Lefebvre design the Skel knife. That same year C+B Lefebvre created a Forge de Laguiole knife for Anne-Sophie Pic.

2009: The knives of FORGE DE LAGUIOLE on the table.

Christian Ghion made his first pocket knife for Forge de Laguiole and encountered great success. One year later, four knife collections were born (butter knives, bread knives, cheese knives and carving sets as well as a box with six table knives.)

Fred Pinel made a black acrylic knife in collaboration with FORGE DE LAGUIOLE that is found on the tables of the Paris Hotel Park Hyatt –Vendôme.

Michel Bras and his brother André Bras designed a new cheese knife with optimum functionality.

Yannick Jauzion, a famous rugby player, had his name engraved on a pocket knife.

2010: FORGE DE LAGUIOLE knives have clean, simple designs

 Ora-Ïto created an innovative knife for FORGE DE LAGUIOLE. Due to its new form it became a cult object.

Andrée Putman made a table knife that works like a pocket knife, it is an amazingly sober creation that is inspired by the Laguiole knife of the 1820s.

2011: Focus on the curves of the Laguiole

With an intergalactic pocket knife Ora-Ïto reinterpreted the symbol of the weapon and with its modern design attracted the attention of Alain Delon.

Hilton McConnico reinterpreted the traditional Forge de Laguiole knife with bright boldness.

Gérald Passédat asked Laguiole to create the first Laguiole fish knife. This knife was designed by Christian Ghion.

Christian Ghion created a monobloc knife that year called ‘Massif’. It is a monobloc meat knife in polished stainless steel that distinguishes itself by its slender elegance.

2012: 25 years of FORGE DE LAGUIOLE

To celebrate 25 years, FORGE DE LAGUIOLE presented the second generation of Philippe Starck knives: the LOG.

Christian Ghion created ‘L’Essentiel’, a FORGE DE LAGUIOLE knife that is famous for its simple design. This design allows the blade to become the focus of the knife rather than the handle.

Jean Michel Wilmotte created a chef knife for Cyril Lignac’s restaurant Le Quinzième.

Stéphanie Marin designed a poetic and feminine version of the famous Laguiole knife.