Choose a knife first by what it has to cut: vegetables, Sunday chicken, bread, cheese or a snack on the road. Each use calls for a different blade, size and grip. You do not need to know every steel grade by heart: start with your kitchen, table or pocket. FL Toussaint knives are designed and made in Courpière, in the Thiers cutlery basin.
See currently available knives
Start with use, not the specification sheet
Before comparing steels, hardness or mechanisms, ask what you cut most often, where the knife will be used, how frequently, what maintenance you accept and who will use it. These answers eliminate most unsuitable options; size, mechanism, steel, handle material and budget come afterwards.
Which knife for the kitchen?
Three families cover most domestic needs: a paring knife for peeling and precise small work, a utility knife for everyday fruit and vegetables, and a chef knife for larger volumes. Two well-maintained knives are often enough; a set only makes sense when every piece has a real role. See how to choose a kitchen knife, handmade kitchen knives and kitchen sets.
Which pocket knife?
A folder spends as much time in a pocket or bag as in the hand. Closed size, weight and bulk therefore matter as much as the blade. Then comes the mechanism: slipjoint uses spring tension, friction relies on blade tension between liners, and the Piedmontese pattern works without a spring. None is universally better. See how to choose a pocket knife, folding knives and French regional knives.
At the table: choose a knife made for eating
A table knife is judged during a meal: meat, bread, cheese and dessert. For a family table, consistency and easy care matter. A matching set makes sense for everyday use or as a wedding gift. See handmade table knives and the care guide.
Choosing a handmade knife as a gift
Start with the recipient: do they cook, carry a knife, accept regular maintenance, or need simplicity? Occasion and budget come next. Some pieces can be engraved when the model allows it. See the complete gift guide.
Size, weight and grip
A larger knife is not automatically better. Match blade length to the work surface and main task. Weight and balance influence control and fatigue. When hesitating between two everyday sizes, the more compact one is often used more often.
Steel, geometry and care: find the right compromise
No steel combines every advantage. Corrosion resistance, edge retention, ease of sharpening and toughness involve trade-offs. Geometry, heat treatment and maintenance matter at least as much as the steel name. Choose according to the care you are willing to give. See which steel to choose.
Handle: material, shape and use
A handle is chosen for both the eye and the hand. Solid wood changes with use, stabilized wood gains moisture stability, and Micarta or laminates favour consistency. Match material to use rather than prestige. See how to choose a handle material.
Small series or one-off piece?
Small series or one-off piece?
Series models use a stabilized design and grouped operations, which contains the price and improves consistency. On series, heat treatment or preparatory grinding may be entrusted to specialized partners; design, fitting, assembly, finishing, sharpening and final inspection remain at the workshop. Individual pieces are made entirely at the workshop and allow more specific materials and finishes. See one-off or small series, knife making, exceptional pieces and archives.
How much does a handmade knife cost?
Price reflects work time and concrete choices: knife type and mechanism, number of operations, fitting, materials, finish and series size. A mechanism folder takes more hours than a fixed blade; an individual piece more than a batch-produced model. See the price guide.
Discover FL Toussaint models
Hack N Slash is a slipjoint pocket knife for everyday use; Le Dimanche is a table knife; Asmo D is a friction folder; Le Bouledogue, Le Breton and Le Rouennais draw on French regional forms. Browse the handmade knives to see current pieces.
Quick choice by need
| Need | Type to consider | Priority criteria |
|---|---|---|
| Everyday cooking | Utility or chef knife | Length suited to workspace; accepted maintenance |
| Small prep | Paring knife | Short blade, precision, low weight |
| Pocket and snack | Folder | Closed size, weight, mechanism |
| Table | Table knife | Real meal use, easy care |
| Gift | Depends on recipient | Habits, maintenance, occasion, budget |
| Limited budget | Series model | Current or upcoming series |
| More elaborate piece | Individual piece | Materials, finish, lead time |
Still unsure?
First open the guide matching your use: kitchen, pocket or gift. Then look at the workshop models and current pieces to compare sizes, materials and prices. If a particular need is not covered, contact the workshop.
