Laguiole is a recognized and respected brand that becomes much more interesting when you learn of its long family history and the small region where it is produced. 

The story began in 1902 near Thiers where the cutlery industry dates back to the 15th century. Blaise Dozorme, an expert steel worker, decided to use his expertise to create a small knife-making workshop in his home. Working mainly as a subcontractor, his professionalism and keen sense of duty gained him a certain notoriety in the Thiers basin.  His entrepreneurial spirit coupled with a dominant personality resulted in his peers naming him “The Wolf “. (A few decades later, the Dozorme firm would use this nickname as the basis for its logo.)

Taken over by his son Valentin in 1934, and followed by his son Claude in the 1970’s, the company invested in tools and mechanization in a drive to expand and develop the business.  The Claude Dozorme brand was born at the beginning of the 1980s as was their first creation: the first Laguiole knife.

In 1991 Claudine Dozorme took over the reins of the family business from her father.  She holds the Ordre du Mérite and the Légion d’Honneur, and was awarded the Auvergne Personality of the Year trophy for her dynamism, creativity and innovative spirit, which have helped her forge a new economic model for the family business, at the same time introducing a resolutely modern approach.

The devil is in the details!

The traditional laguiole utilizes a single blade, but sometimes a corkscrew or some other implement is added. This necessitates an even slimmer cutaway handle, the shape of which is fancifully known as the "lady's leg", the bolster at the base resembling a foot. 

The "bee" on the laguiole knives was introduced after World War II as the end of the backspring, which sits over the rotating part of the blade. The upper section was expanded to form a thumb rest.

We at Sotre hope that you enjoy bringing the history and handcrafted quality of Claude Dozorme when you aquire them for your table.

xo,

Grace