4 tips on how to look after your Laguiole knife

You have just bought or given a Laguiole knife, you really like it and you wish you could keep it in pristine condition for many years, and rightfully so.

1) How to regularly clean a Laguiole knife

Do not wash the blade.  

Do not place the blade of your knife under water, rather, wipe it using a wet cloth, such as a kitchen towel for instance.

Do not put your knife in the dishwasher.

Detergents and hot water (above 50°C) both contribute to ageing the handle of your knife early

If the handle of your Laguiole knife is made out of wood or horn, you should never ever put it in the dishwasher.

If the handle of your Laguiole is made out of paperstone, Plexiglas or ABS, it matters less, since these materials were designed to withstand very high temperatures.

2) How to look after various wooden-handled Laguiole knives

As a rule, all wooden handles are damaged by water : only wash them in water if absolutely necessary, then dry them and moisturize them imediately.
With the passing of time and without proper care, olive-tree wood can become dull. In order to make it shine again, clean it with oil of turpentine and polish it with linseed oil.

Rosewood tends to lighten when in contact with water. To avoid this, clean it with oil of turpentine and gently rub in some palm oil or a neutral wax.
As famous as it is, ebony may with the passing years show some white fibers. To counter this, clean it thoroughly with oil of turpentine.

3) How to look after a horn-handled Laguiole-knife

Horn is a natural material, after some time, the handle of your knife may dryp up and show some surface fiber.
To avoid this, feel free to oil the handle of your knife from time to time, in order to moisturize it like wood. To give it back its former beauty, should the passing of time have damaged it somehow, use some very fine sanding paper (P400) to gently sand it all over and polish it with linseed oil.

4 ) How to look after your Laguiole knife's bolsters

•    solid brass bolsters

Very often, contact between the leather sheath of your knife and its brass bolsters oxidizes them, which is perfectly normal and due to the tanning of the leather.

In order to make your dulled down bolsters shine again, use some Mirror product on a towel and some elbow grease !

•    Solid stainless steel bolsters

Stainless-steel-bolsetered knives do not require any particular care.
You may also use a polishing kit to look after your Laguiole knife.


Quick reminder concerning the ''normal use'' of a knife. We understand that your knife is also your ally as well as your day-to-day partner, and that wherever you go, it goes.
Are you a bit of an adventurer? An avid DIY fan? Fantastic!
Do keep in mind, though, that your knife will not last long if you intend to use it in any of the following ways:
•    as a screwdriver for your Sunday DIY project
•    as a lever to open up tin cans
•    as an oyster-opener for Christmas
•    as a tool to whittle your masterpieces
•    as an awl or other tool to tighten up your Swedish pieces of furniture
•    as a throwing knife – You are not William Tell!