Fab 40: Nontron Knives, Dordogne

the famous French pocket knife and Laguiole

(Image credit: press)

last updated 14 October 2022

Opinel, forgers of the famous French pocket knife and Laguiole, the name behind the distinctive handled knives from the Aveyron, have taken the fine reputation of French knife design around the world. Ever innovating, the brands have remained leaders in knife design since the 19th century.

Nontron, however, is not a name that has travelled. Handmade from local steel and boxwood by one of six artisan knifemakers in the small village of Nontron for 500 years, and branded with a distinctive, burned-in logo, these beautiful knives have remained under the radar. Italian designer Stefania di Petrillo is changing that with a collaborative project that has produced this picnic cultery set. The handles, which come in snakewood, boxwood, ebony, olive, rosewood or juniper, are riveted with magnets that hold the set together when on the move.

Rosa Bertoli was born in Udine, Italy, and now lives in London. Since 2014, she has been the Design Editor of Wallpaper*, where she oversees design content for the print and online editions, as well as special editorial projects. Through her role at Wallpaper*, she has written extensively about all areas of design. Rosa has been speaker and moderator for various design talks and conferences including London Craft Week, Maison & Objet, The Italian Cultural Institute (London), Clippings, Zaha Hadid Design, Kartell and Frieze Art Fair. Rosa has been on judging panels for the Chart Architecture Award, the Dutch Design Awards and the DesignGuild Marks. She has written for numerous English and Italian language publications, and worked as a content and communication consultant for fashion and design brands.