Recognized by its iconic bee emblem, Forge de Laguiole is a benchmark brand for handcrafted French cutlery. Known for blending traditional artistry with elegant, sleek designs, their knives are coveted by home chefs and collectors who appreciate high-quality materials and meticulous craftsmanship.
For those who love Forge de Laguiole's timeless rustic style and commitment to quality, exploring other artisan cutlery brands can uncover new favorites. From classic French heritage to modern Japanese precision, here are 17 similar brands worth checking out.
1. Opinel
Opinel is the quintessential French pocket knife, celebrated for its simple, functional, and timeless design. Rooted in tradition, the brand offers a wide range of folding knives and kitchen cutlery that are both practical and stylish. Featuring beechwood handles and the signature Virobloc locking ring, their products have a refined rustic look.
With prices from around $15 to $80, Opinel offers exceptional value. Like Forge de Laguiole, they cherish French heritage, but focus on accessible, everyday utility over luxury, making them a perfect starting point for any knife collection.
Shop now at opinel.com
2. Laguiole En Aubrac
Laguiole En Aubrac produces premium, artisan-made knives deeply inspired by the region's classic designs. With a strong focus on traditional French craftsmanship, their pieces feature stunning hand-forged blades and handles made from natural woods and horns, all adorned with the famous bee emblem.
Ranging from $150 to $400, they are priced similarly to Forge de Laguiole and share an almost identical style and heritage. What sets them apart is their emphasis on highly bespoke and customizable options, making each knife a truly personal and collectible work of art.
Shop now at laguiole-en-aubrac.com
3. Perceval
Perceval offers a modern and minimalist take on French artisanal cutlery. Their knives, particularly the famous "Le Français" model, are known for their incredibly sleek lines, simple beauty, and flawless craftsmanship. They combine high-performance steel with stunning handles made from rare woods and synthetic materials.
With prices that align with Forge de Laguiole's premium offerings, Perceval is for those who appreciate traditional craftsmanship but prefer a clean, contemporary aesthetic. Where Forge de Laguiole is rustic and ornate, Perceval is refined and sophisticated.
Shop now at perceval-knives.co.uk
4. Boker
Boker is a renowned German knifemaker celebrated for its high-quality production and wide variety of styles, from kitchen knives to tactical gear. Their artisanal series, including coveted limited editions, showcases innovative designs and premium materials like Damascus steel.
While their collection is broader than Forge de Laguiole's, their handcrafted models share a similar dedication to quality and tradition with a distinctly modern, international feel. Prices range from an accessible $50 up to several hundred for an investment piece.
Shop now at boker.de/en
5. Claude Dozorme
Another master cutler from Thiers, France, Claude Dozorme has been crafting exceptional knives for over a century. The brand innovated the classic Laguiole knife by creating the first non-folding Laguiole steak knives. Their collections blend traditional forms with contemporary, often colorful, handle materials.
They share the same Laguiole heritage and artisan quality as Forge de Laguiole but stand out with a more modern and playful design sensibility. Their high-end sommeliers and steak knife sets are especially popular for sophisticated dining and gifting.
Shop now at dozorme-claude.fr/en
6. Schmidt Brothers
This American brand brings a contemporary edge to handcrafted kitchen cutlery. Schmidt Brothers knives are celebrated for their stylish and functional designs, combining high-quality stainless steel with unique handle materials like acacia wood and their patented Schmidt Brothers Curve for better ergonomics.
Priced between $50 and $150, their knives cater to home chefs seeking a blend of performance and modern urban style. While Forge de Laguiole embodies rustic French tradition, Schmidt Brothers offers a fresh, designer-forward alternative.
Shop now at schmidtbrothers.com
7. Sabatier
Sabatier is one of the most historic names in French cutlery, synonymous with classic, high-performance chef's knives. Known for their fully forged steel blades and traditional aesthetics, Sabatier emphasizes durability and functionality for serious home cooks and professionals.
Falling in the $30 to $150 range, they are more accessibly priced than Forge de Laguiole. While they lack the same ornate, hand-finished detailing, they share a deep commitment to French culinary heritage and are a fantastic choice for reliable, well-crafted kitchen workhorses.
Shop now at sabatier-shop.com
8. Laguiole Paris
Focusing on authentic, handcrafted Laguiole knives, Laguiole Paris is dedicated to preserving traditional French artisanal methods. Their collections beautifully showcase natural handle materials like rare woods and ethically sourced horn, often with intricate decorative details on the blade and spring.
With knives priced from $100 to $350, they are a direct competitor to Forge de Laguiole in both style and craftsmanship. They stand out by offering more elaborate, ornamental designs and limited editions that highlight the collectible, heirloom quality of each piece.
Shop now at couteau-laguiole.com
9. Victorinox
While Taschenmesser is a general term for "pocket knife," the definitive brand in the Swiss space is Victorinox. They create legendary, multi-functional tools known worldwide for precision and quality. While distinct from the French Laguiole aesthetic, their high-end models share an artisanal approach to small-batch production.
Their collector's editions and premium series, with wood or Alox handles, showcase a different kind of heritage - one of utilitarian elegance and Swiss precision engineering, making them an interesting alternative for knife enthusiasts who value function and history.
Shop now at victorinox.com
10. Cutipol
Cutipol is a Portuguese design-led brand known for its incredibly elegant and modern flatware. While their main focus is on curated tableware sets, their artisan-designed knives are works of art. Using high-grade stainless steel and sleek resin handles, their creations feel both minimalist and luxurious.
Typically priced between $50 to $200 per set, their aesthetic contrasts with Forge de Laguiole's rustic vibe. If you love artisanal quality but want a sleek, contemporary look for your dining table, Cutipol is an excellent choice.
Shop now at cutipol.pt
11. Zwilling J.A. Henckels
As a globally recognized German leader in cutlery, Zwilling combines centuries of knifemaking experience with modern innovation. Their high-end forged knife collections are known for exceptional quality, precision, and durability, often using a proprietary ice-hardening process for superior steel performance.
Like Forge de Laguiole, they are committed to craftsmanship, with some artisanal collections ranging from $100 to over $300. However, Zwilling's focus is firmly on professional-grade performance and clean, Teutonic design, making them a top choice for a technically advanced kitchen.
Shop now at zwilling.com
12. Masami
For those interested in exploring Japanese craftsmanship, Masami offers meticulously handcrafted chef's knives known for high-performance steel and an artisanal finish. Their knives are exceptionally sharp, perfectly balanced, and beautiful to behold, often showcasing details like Tsuchime (hammered) finishes.
Priced from $150 to $400, they offer a very different cultural aesthetic compared to the French Laguiole but share a deep reverence for metallurgical artistry and tradition. They are a superb alternative for culinary enthusiasts who prioritize blade performance and unique design.
Shop now at sakaiichi.com
13. Robert Herder
Also known as "Windmühlenmesser" (Windmill Knife), Robert Herder has been handcrafting knives in Solingen, Germany, since 1872. They are famous for their traditional, non-stainless carbon steel blades that are ground exceptionally thin for incredible sharpness. Using natural wood for their handles, their knives are purely functional works of art.
They share Forge de Laguiole's artisanal, non-industrial ethos but are rooted in a starker German design tradition. These knives are for true food connoisseurs who value cutting performance above all else.
Shop now at windmuehlenmesser.de
14. Laguiole Artisan
Laguiole Artisan specializes in producing fully bespoke, handcrafted knives that are the epitome of authentic French craftsmanship. The work is done by a single artisan from start to finish, ensuring unparalleled quality control and a true one-of-a-kind result.
Prices typically start around $200 and can exceed $500 for custom pieces. While very similar in style and heritage to Forge de Laguiole, this brand offers a higher level of personalization, with intricate engravings and rare handle materials for a truly heirloom-quality knife.
Shop now at laguiole-artisan.com
15. Cangshan
Cangshan merges Western-style knife design with the precision manufacturing expertise of bladesmiths in Yangjiang, China. The result is a line of artisan-quality kitchen knives that have won multiple design awards. Their focus is on high-alloy steel, stunning aesthetics, and exceptional ergonomics.
More accessible than some French brands, at $80 to $200, Cangshan offers comparable craftsmanship to Forge de Laguiole but through a modern, global lens. They represent a new generation of knifemakers blending tradition with forward-thinking design.
Shop now at cangshancutlery.com
16. Helle
From Norway, Helle has been handcrafting beautiful outdoor and hunting knives since 1932. Their philosophy revolves around showcasing natural materials, like curly birch handles, and creating knives that are both functional tools and art pieces. Their blades are made from an excellent triple-laminated steel.
With a focus on rugged Scandinavian design, they are a compelling choice for outdoor enthusiasts who appreciate artisanal quality. While visually different from a Laguiole, a Helle knife shares the same soul of handcrafted tradition built to last for generations.
Shop now at helle.com
17. Goyon-Chazeau
Goyon-Chazeau is a family-owned artisan cutlery maker from Thiers, France, that produces everything from pocket knives to stunning steak knife sets. They are particularly famous for their "Le Thiers" models, which adhere to a strict design aesthetic specific to the knifemaking town.
Like Forge de Laguiole, they are committed to 100% French artisanal production and beautiful materials. However, their designs feel a bit more robust and contemporary, offering a slightly different interpretation of French high-end cutlery that's perfect for both daily use and fine dining.
Shop now at goyon-chazeau.com
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