Coutellerie G.R. by Thiers-Issard

Coutellerie G.R. by Thiers-Issard

Coutellerie Gilles – Master-crafted French folding knives from Thiers

Coutellerie Gilles, founded by Belgian-born Gilles Reynewaeter, is a small artisanal workshop based in Thiers, the historic knife-making capital of France. Since the 1990s, Gilles has been redefining the standards of traditional French folding knives, with a deep respect for regional heritage and a flair for refined craftsmanship.

A collector’s favorite

Every Gilles knife is entirely handmade, with an obsessive focus on quality and detail. Unlike mass-produced or semi-industrial knives, these are individually assembled, adjusted, filed, and polished. Each knife features a hand-filed backspring, often adorned with intricate patterns, ranging from vines and bees to coat-of-arms or fully custom motifs.

Popular patterns include:

• Laguiole Traditionnel – available with single or double liners, custom filework, and optional personal engravings.

• Capuchadou – a rugged, ancestral knife design that predates the Laguiole.

• Le Thiers – a modern, regional design protected by the Couté de Thiers guild.

• Haute Coutellerie table knives – high-end cutlery matching the craftsmanship of their folding knives.

These knives are often equipped with 12C27 Sandvik steel, RWL34 stainless powder steel, or hand-forged Damascus. Handle materials range from stabilized woods and stag to exotic materials like mammoth ivory or recycled ancient oak. Many knives come with no lock, just a smooth backspring, in keeping with traditional French folding knife mechanics.

Prestigious, refined, and collectible

Coutellerie Gilles’ knives are particularly favored by collectors, chefs, design lovers, and artisans seeking one-of-a-kind craftsmanship. Every knife is numbered, and most are supplied in presentation boxes with a certificate of authenticity.