This is a Laguiole Corkscrew knife with Awl, also called a Laguiole 3 piece
Crafting the three-piece Laguiole knife is a challenging feat and an increasingly elusive one at that. However, its true importance is often overlooked. The knife was originally designed as a Cattlemen's tool, with the "Awl" serving as a vital component.
The corkscrew was added to the Laguiole knife in the 1880s. This addition resulted from the sale of corked wine bottles in urban society and, in response to the demand of Aveyronnais who emigrated to work in the cafes of Paris. Cafe owners and waiters were to remain loyal to their traditions.
This Laguiole knife is entirely handmade in the village of Laguiole and features a forged T12 steel blade. Handmade in the village of Laguiole, France, Forge de Laguiole knives are indeed the highest quality in the market today. Additionally, each of these masterpieces is handmade by the same craftsman to ensure pride in the completed piece.
What is a Forged Bee? You can recognize a forged bee by looking below it, where it meets the decorated spring. If you do not see any gaps, it's a good sign that the bee and spring were forged from the same piece of metal. You can also recognize a soldered bee by noticing a straight gap/ridge where the bee meets the spring.
A 12 cm Laguiole folding knife can be used as a steak knife; its open length is 8. 3/4" vs. ~9" for a standard steak knife. Why use such a knife at the dinner table or at your favorite steak house? Check out our article (new tab) for the surprising answer.