Care & Maintenance
Care guide for your Maison Château LAGUIOLE® knives and sommelier corkscrews.
Knife care — General precautions
To ensure the longevity, performance and beauty of your knife, it is essential to adopt the right care habits. An artisanal knife requires special care.
Hand cleaning: clean your knives by hand immediately after each use with a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive products or harsh detergents. Note: some models, such as those in PaperStone® or stabilized wood, may be indicated as dishwasher compatible. However, hand washing is strongly recommended.
Protection against heat, humidity and chemicals: avoid exposing your knives to intense heat, excessive humidity or aggressive chemicals.
Careful handling: protect the blade and handle from impacts and falls, which can damage the edge, mechanism or handle structure.
Proper storage: wipe and thoroughly dry your knife before storing to prevent oxidation. Keep them in a dry place, away from humidity and direct sunlight. Store them out of reach of children.
Proper use: use your knives only for their intended purpose. Avoid cutting hard, non-food materials, or working on rigid surfaces such as stone or glass.
Knife — Natural material handles (wood, horn, bone, mammoth)
Natural material handles give the knife an authentic and warm aesthetic, with a living feel and a patina that develops over time. However, these materials are sensitive to humidity variations, heat and chemicals. Dishwasher use is strictly inadvisable.
Gently clean the handle with a damp cloth, then dry immediately with a soft dry cloth. Do not immerse in water, soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents that could dull or scratch the surface.
Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity. Store the knife in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays.
Regularly apply a small amount of beeswax or linseed oil to nourish and protect the wood and prevent it from cracking and becoming brittle and dry.
Knife — Composite material handles (stamina, PaperStone®, carbon)
Composite materials, such as stamina, PaperStone® or carbon, are less sensitive to stresses than natural materials and offer better resistance.
Even if some composites can tolerate occasional dishwasher use, hand washing is strongly recommended to preserve their durability. If dishwasher use is necessary, do not exceed 50°C and consult the product sheet.
Clean gently with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not soak in water.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity. Store the knife in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays to prevent discoloration.
Knife — Synthetic material handles (acrylic, plexi, PBT, TPR, Juma®)
Synthetic materials such as acrylic, plexi, PBT, Juma® or TPR are known for their good mechanical resistance and stability over time. They resist humidity, temperature variations and daily use well.
Even if some technical plastics like PBT can tolerate occasional dishwasher use, hand washing is strongly recommended. If dishwasher use is necessary, do not exceed 50°C.
Clean gently with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not soak in water.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat sources or UV rays, especially for colored or translucent handles, to prevent discoloration or deformation.
Store the knife in a dry place, away from excessive humidity or extreme temperature variations.
Knife — Metal handles
Metal handles, such as stainless steel, offer excellent robustness and great resistance to humidity, heat and impacts. Their modern appearance and easy maintenance make them a preferred choice for intensive use.
Even if these materials can tolerate occasional dishwasher use, hand washing is strongly recommended. If dishwasher use is necessary, do not exceed 50°C.
Clean with a slightly damp soft cloth and dry immediately to prevent corrosion.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
For treated metals (sandblasted, polished, etc.), avoid impacts against hard surfaces that could chip or scratch the finish.
Store the knife in a dry place away from excessive humidity (especially in salty environments such as seaside) to prevent surface oxidation.
Knife — Mineral material handles
Mineral material handles offer very good wear resistance. However, their natural rigidity and sensitivity to impacts require careful maintenance. Dishwasher use is strictly inadvisable.
Gently clean the handle with a damp cloth, then dry immediately. Do not soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays. Avoid contact with rough surfaces or hard objects.
Do not leave the handle in prolonged contact with acidic substances (such as fruit juices or vinegar).
Store the knife in a dry place. If the handle becomes dull, apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil), spreading it evenly and removing any excess.
Knife — Blade care
Regular blade maintenance ensures optimal cutting quality and extends the life of your knife.
Gently clean the blades with a soft damp cloth and dry them immediately.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
To prevent corrosion, occasionally apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil) to the blade.
Sharpen your knife regularly with a sharpening stone or steel to maintain its edge, suited to the type of steel.
Warning: carbon steel blades should never be put in the dishwasher and must be dried quickly after each contact with moisture to prevent corrosion.
Knife — Bolster care
Gently clean the bolsters with a soft damp cloth and dry them immediately with a soft dry cloth.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
To prevent corrosion, occasionally apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil), spreading it evenly.
If the bolster is made of brass, use a specialized product such as Mirror.
Knife — Folding mechanism care
If your knife is a folding model, it is important to keep its mechanism clean and functional.
Regularly clean the mechanism by removing any dirt or residue.
Apply a few drops of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil) to the axis and spring to ensure proper mechanism functioning, then wipe off excess to avoid stains.
Store your knife in a case to protect it from scratches and impacts.
Avoid leaving the spring under tension to preserve its durability.
Sommelier corkscrew care — General precautions
To ensure the longevity, performance and beauty of your sommelier corkscrew, it is essential to adopt the right care habits. An artisanal sommelier corkscrew requires special care.
Warning: dishwasher use is strictly inadvisable for sommelier corkscrews.
Hand cleaning: clean your sommelier corkscrews by hand immediately after each use with a soft cloth. Do not use abrasive products or harsh detergents.
Protection against heat, humidity and chemicals: avoid exposing your sommelier corkscrew to intense heat sources or aggressive chemicals.
Careful handling: protect the sommelier corkscrew from impacts and falls, which can damage the mechanism or handle structure.
Proper storage: wipe and thoroughly dry your corkscrew before storing. Keep it in a dry place, away from humidity and direct sunlight.
Proper use: use your sommelier corkscrew only for its intended purpose. Avoid using it as excessive leverage or to open objects other than wine bottles.
Sommelier — Natural material handles (wood, horn, bone, mammoth)
Natural material handles give the sommelier corkscrew an authentic and warm aesthetic. However, these materials are sensitive to humidity variations, heat and chemicals.
Gently clean the handle with a damp cloth, then dry immediately. Do not immerse in water, soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity. Store in a dry place at room temperature. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays.
Regularly apply a small amount of beeswax or linseed oil to nourish and protect the wood.
Sommelier — Composite material handles (stamina, PaperStone®, carbon)
Composite materials such as Stamina, PaperStone® or carbon fiber offer excellent mechanical resistance and good stability against humidity and heat.
Clean gently with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not immerse in water, soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to humidity. Store in a dry place. Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays to prevent discoloration.
Sommelier — Synthetic material handles
Synthetic materials such as acrylic, plexi, PBT, Juma® or TPR are known for their good mechanical resistance and stability over time.
Clean gently with a soft damp cloth and dry immediately. Do not immerse in water, soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to direct heat sources or UV rays, especially for colored or translucent handles.
Store in a dry place, away from excessive humidity or extreme temperature variations.
Sommelier — Metal handles
Metal handles offer excellent robustness and great resistance to humidity, heat and impacts.
Clean with a slightly damp soft cloth and dry immediately to prevent corrosion.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
For treated metals (sandblasted, polished, etc.), avoid impacts against hard surfaces.
Store in a dry place away from excessive humidity (especially in salty environments such as seaside).
Sommelier — Mineral material handles
Mineral material handles offer very good wear resistance. However, their natural rigidity and sensitivity to impacts require careful maintenance.
Gently clean the handle with a damp cloth, then dry immediately. Do not immerse in water, soak or wash in the dishwasher.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Avoid prolonged exposure to heat sources and UV rays. Avoid contact with rough surfaces or hard objects. Do not leave the handle in prolonged contact with acidic substances.
Store in a dry place. If the handle becomes dull, apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil).
Sommelier — Foil cutter blade care
If necessary, clean the blade with a slightly damp soft cloth and dry immediately to prevent corrosion.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
Wipe and dry the blade after each use.
To prevent corrosion, occasionally apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil) to the foil cutter.
Sommelier — Bolster care
Gently clean the bolsters with a soft damp cloth and dry them immediately.
Do not use abrasive products, metal sponges or harsh detergents.
To prevent corrosion, occasionally apply a thin layer of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil), spreading it evenly.
If the bolster is made of brass, use a specialized product such as Mirror.
Sommelier — Folding mechanism and worm care
If your sommelier corkscrew is a folding model, it is important to keep its mechanism clean and functional.
Make sure to remove any dirt or residue present on the mechanism and the corkscrew worm.
Apply a few drops of food-grade mineral oil (not vegetable oil) to the mechanism joints and the corkscrew worm to ensure smooth movement.
Maison Château LAGUIOLE® Warranty
All Château LAGUIOLE® knives and sommelier corkscrews benefit from a lifetime warranty under the Privilege Member Program.
This warranty applies under normal conditions of use and maintenance. It covers manufacturing defects, subject to proper use, but does not cover natural wear or damage due to misuse or incorrect maintenance.
For more information about warranty conditions, please consult our Warranty page.