Typically, most laguiole collectors find these 3 brands the best ones (except for some talented artisans):
- Fontenille Pataud
- Laguiole en Aubrac
- Forge De Laguiole (which I think is these days owned by Laguiole en Aubrac)
Typically these feature 12C27 steel (unless you opt for carbon steel or damascus). If it's stainless steel and not 12C27 then many collectors rate it lower.
R. David and G. David are often considered as "reasonable": good quality/price, but not as chic as the top 3 above.
I must say that
Fontenille-Pataud (referred to as Gilles - the proprietor- in a previous post) may offer the nicest ones to my taste. And they also offer interesting modern variations such as a luxurious gentlemen laguiole, or a one-hand laguiole, or a backlocking etc
There are also really cheap made in pakistan laguioles. Well, let's just say that you get what you pay for, but some of the damascus ones can be really quite nice for a low price.
A few months ago, I posted this pic of my small laguiole and lguiole-like collection:
from top to bottom:
- Laguiole en Aubrac, slightly smaller model with horn tip handle. Lovely, and I think that your first laguiole should have a traditional horn tip handle.
- Fontenille-Pataud gentlemen laguiole with horn tip handle and a back lock, Pretty strong yet elegant.
- Fontenille-Pataud full size backlocking laguiole with amourette (snakewood) handle. Slick.
- a pretty nice artisinal laguiole with a coloured staminawood handle
- From Puma IP series (made in Spain), a strong and heavy "hunting laguiole". Think "son of a laguiole and a buck 110". Quite good actually.
- Pakistani damascus laguiole from Maan with camel bone handle. It's better finished than you'd expect and it looks rather good but I hesitate to use it on food out of fear that the non-stainless pattern may get stained.
If you choose a good laguiole, then I am sure you'll find it a pleasant experience, quite different from the more "tactical" approach that's so popular...
