CLAA : stop aux idées reçues sur le couteau Laguiole

Laguiole knife

As members of the CLAA association, Coutellerie GOYON-CHAZEAU’s team wanted to highlight the 150-year shared history between the Thiers cutlery basin and the Laguiole cutlery region, centred on the Laguiole knife.

The CLAA association has highlighted the verifiable historical information contained in this article.

Misconception #1 Laguiole knives have traditionally been manufactured in Laguiole NO! That’s not true!

Not enough people know this:

From the mid-19th century, when the Laguiole knife originated, until the mid-1980s, over 90% of Laguiole knives were manufactured in the Thiers basin.

The knife makers of Laguiole and Thiers have ALWAYS worked together, and continue to do so STILL today.

CLAA

1850-1900 : Appearance and evolution of the straight-bladed Laguiole knife to the curved-handled knife we know today.
Number of knife makers: Between five and 38 in Laguiole versus 15,000 to 18,000 in the Thiers region.

1868 : Registration of the Laguiole trademark by a knife maker from Thiers (Roddier-Fauchery)

1900 : At least 90% of Laguiole knives are manufactured in the Thiers basin.

1914-1918 : Decline in the production of Laguiole knives in Laguiole because knifemakers were killed at the front.

1950 : Discontinuation of Laguiole knife production in Laguiole. Production continues in Thiers.
100% of Laguiole knives are made in Thiers.

1985 : Reestablishment of the first manufacturing workshop in Laguiole, “Le couteau de Laguiole” (The Laguiole Knife from Laguiole).
Thiers provides Laguiole with the materials required for knife production.

1987 : The first Laguiole manufacturing plant was created in Laguiole by “SARL Laguiole”, which became “Forge de Laguiole” in 1995.
A factory is being transferred from Thiers to Laguiole.

1994 : Exceptional knife-making expertise was transferred from Thiers to Laguiole when a Meilleur Ouvrier de France (MOF, or Best Craftsman of France) was hired.
This best craftsman in France was trained at the “Maison des couteliers” in Thiers.

2024 : There are around fifteen companies in Laguiole that manufacture or are directly involved in producing Laguiole knives, providing around 200 jobs in the region.
There are more than 40 companies in Thiers that are directly involved in the manufacture of Laguiole knives, providing 400 jobs.

Misconception #2 Laguiole knife is named after the town of Laguiole because it was created there. No. It was designed in Laguiole, but that’s not where it got its name.

In the 19th century, people in Thiers often named their knives after the places where they were sold.

The Laguiole knife, L’Issoire knife and many other knives were named after the places (markets, fairs, points of sale, etc.) where they sold best.

Misconception #3 Thiers and Laguiole are at loggerheads. No. They work together !

The supposed rivalry between Laguiole and Thiers has always been a myth, perpetuated by sensationalist headlines, misunderstandings and prejudice.

Now is time to celebrate the shared history and collaboration that unite these two iconic regions of French cutlery.

Rather than a war, there is a historical bond forged by a passion for the craft and artisanal excellence, crystallised by the Laguiole knife.

We are joining forces within CLAA because, together, we can promote our expertise more effectively, continue to develop it, and combat the damage caused to the image of the Laguiole knife by counterfeit products.

Misconception #4 Thiers wants to take ownership of the Laguiole knife False!!! The cutlers from Thiers are committed to preserving their centuries-old expertise in Laguiole and Thiers.

From the very first designs of the “Laguiole knife,” the people of Thiers have been involved in its manufacture and development.

This can be explained by the fact that the city of Thiers is located in a basin with a long tradition of cutlery-making. As a result, all professions related to cutlery production were gathered together, including master cutlers, blacksmiths, subcontractors and suppliers of raw materials.
The city’s location was no accident: perched on a rocky outcrop and bordered by the Durolle River, it has always taken advantage of the river’s power. The water turned the millstones and polishers needed for metalworking, primarily for the production of cutlery.
An abundant workforce from the surrounding countryside and mountains supplemented their modest agricultural incomes with cutlery-making activities, especially during the off-season when the Durolle was in flood.

The Laguiole territory followed a different path, as its natural environment did not offer the same water resources as the Durolle.
Cutlery production developed more around artisanal expertise in small workshops, deeply rooted in the local culture and linked to the identity of the Aubrac plateau. Production remained more scattered and symbolic.

In order to source parts and raw materials, develop their knives, integrate new techniques, and expand their range, the cutlers of Laguiole have always worked with the cutlers of Thiers.

The Laguiole knife:

was born out of these exchanges and encounters in the 19th century,
grew in two regions for over 50 years,
survived thanks to manufacturing in Thiers after the two world wars,
conquered the world, driven by its two sister cities,
and survives in the face of imported products that copy it.

By joining forces, the cutlers of Thiers and Laguiole will be better placed to promote French Laguiole knives against imported products.

COUTEAU LAGUIOLE AUBRAC AUVERGNE What is CLAA ?

The CLAA association brings together 50 passionate and trustworthy knife makers from Thiers and Laguiole with recognised expertise.

Like the Laguiole knife itself, its makers are deeply rooted in their region and are proud to perpetuate the heritage of this exceptional craft by continuing to produce these knives.

OUR OBJECTIVES:

To promote and pass on our expertise
Fight against unfair international competition
Maintain and develop local jobs
Preserve the unity and strengths of our two territories

The geographical indication

The CLAA association defends a geographical indication for “Laguiole knives”

common to the two historic areas where Laguiole knives are manufactured and developed,
in order to combat foreign copies and
promote this flagship product of French cutlery.

This GI was approved by the INPI (French National Institute of Industrial Property) in September 2022.
Unfortunately, the Court of Appeal of Aix-en-Provence overturned this decision in July 2024.
At the same time, the court approved the GI ‘Couteau de Laguiole’ (Laguiole knife), which excludes the Thiers region entirely and had been rejected by the INPI.

Since then, CLAA has pursued all avenues of appeal in order to defend and restore a shared GI, enabling the Laguiole knife to continue developing in both its parent regions.