During its 175 year old history the LAGUIOLE has experienced ups
and downs, but thanks to the engagement of the FORGE DE
LAGUIOLE it is nowadays more alive than ever.

It is an old tradition in the Auvergne to give a knife as a present to
the beloved ones. The son inherits it from his father and by giving
it as a present to a friend one expresses deep bonds of friedship.
In return one receives a coin. Thus this knife has been "bought"
and the bonds of friendship cannot be cut.

In order to have longlasting value, traditions must not only be repeated but they must also face
present challenges.
This beeing an important part of their philosophy it distinguishes the FORGE DE LAGUIOLE
from other manufacturers. Since its founding the members have sought the cooperation with 
outstanding designers and with people who have gained a reputation though their work and by
their way of forming our living space. In this way the tradition is pursued in a modern way and
further developed.

Listed below are the names of some well-known artists who have been designing for the
FORGE DE LAGUIOLE:

In 1989 the world-famous designer and architect Philippe Starck created a LAGUIOLE with
modern aluminium-design according to the traditional shape of the knife.
In 1993 it received the DESIGN PLUS AWARD on the AMBIENTE trade fair in Frankfurt/Germany.
Since that time his knife is also a part of the exibition of the MUSEUM OF MODERN ART
in New York.

Yan Pennor´s is the publisher and creativ-director of severall famous french magazines such as
Paris Match, Marie Claire etc. In 1990 he created the corporate design for the manufactory
FORGE DE LAGUIOLE and also a LAGUIOLE with the new high-tech-material carbon-fibre.
His creation receives the french AWARD FOR OBJECT DESIGN in the same year.

In 1992 the intenational reowned french designer Eric Raffy created the restaurant and hotel for
one of the highest decorated three star cooks of France Michel Bras. Soon after this he designed 
a pocket-knife for FORGE DE LAGUIOLE which in 1995 received the BLADE MAGAZINE AWARD
at the SALON in Atlanta for its innovative design.

Sonja Rykiel is the first woman who created a LAGUIOLE in the year of 1995. The famous french
haut-couture-artist is well known for her own collections but also for her creations for other famous 
fashion houses in the world. Her great experience with colour and material reflects on her knife.

Other famous artists who designed knives for the FORGE DE LAGUIOLE are Hermes and
Eddy Mitchell and at last Courrège. 

Furthermore, by cooperating with French sommeliers the FORGE DE LAGUIOLE invented a new
type of knife the "SOMMELIER". Immediately after having been presented it was awarded the
DESIGN PLUS PREIS 1996 at the trade fair AMBIENTE in Frankfurt/Germany.