In France, a knife is more than just a utensil — it’s a personal, treasured tool. Many men carry one in their pocket, ensuring they always have a sharp knife when dining away from home. This custom reflects the French reverence for food and the deep respect they accord mealtimes.
You can bring this spirit and tradition into your home by giving each family member their own personal knife — including children. It’s a simple yet meaningful way to highlight the value of mealtimes. Even if little ones aren’t ready to cut their food, having their own knife gives them a valuable introduction to the rituals of eating — and it's useful. It’s never too soon to start.
A child’s knife isn’t only for cutting — it’s for learning. It helps children develop fine motor skills and organize food on their plate and guide it onto their fork. This early introduction also instills in them the importance of table manners and rituals that support good eating habits and an appreciation for food.
For adults, the knife continues to serve a greater purpose than just cutting. It allows you to arrange food neatly on your plate, creating visual appeal. This small habit also encourages a slower, more mindful pace of eating, which gives your body time to register fullness and helps you stop when you’ve had just enough.
If you want to add personal knives to your table, here are some suggestions.
I really love the Opinel brand of knives for kids. These knives have a rounded tip, fold in the traditional French style, and have a safety latch when opened. I bought one in a different color for each of my children, making it personal — and almost twenty years alter, they still use them. It's a sweet memory. You can shop for the perfect Opinel knife here.
For adults, the most interesting choices are a Laguiole or Thiers knife. Geniuine Laguiole and Thiers knives are handmade, each one unique. The handles are made from materials such as stone or olivewood, assembled by hand. The blades are forged from high-quality stainless steel, designed to last. The engraved signatures, Le Thiers or Laguiole, are symbols of both elegance and craftsmanship. You can find your Laguiole or Thiers knife here — they make fabulous and meaningful gifts.
In France, it's a rite of passage to receive your first adult knife. My husband, Pierre, still has the knife that he was given over 40 years ago.
The first knife shown above is a custom-made Thiers knife I bought in Thiers. It's a folding knife with a mammoth tooth handle and a Damascus blade. It was a delight to speak with the craftsmen and create the design together. Next to it is my Thiers folding knife. It is priced at around $100. Next is Pierre’s 40-year-old Laguiole folding knife with the classic corkscrew opener, priced at around $300 today. And the red and pink Opinel knives are two of my children's knives. Priced at around $20, they are high quality and made to last for decades if hand-washed. They can easily become a family heirloom passed down to grandchildren.
Start your own family tradition today — get your children their first Opinel on Amazon or the Opinel website. For adults, you can find an excellent selection of quality Laguiole knives made in France here.
