What is Sabatier?

Since the Middle Ages, the area around Thiers, France has been associated with the cutlery industry.  Two separate families, Jean Sabatier of Le Moutier (lower Thiers) and Phillipe Sabatier of Bellevue (upper Thiers) began using the Sabatier name in their maker's mark.  Over the years, many makers began using Sabatier in their branding and differentiating their products with an additional mark such as an elephant, lion or griffon.  Since Sabatier predates copywrites, it is similar to champagne or camembert in that many different companies use the name and no single company controls.  But in general, it implies a high-quality knife made in the Thiers region of France using a fully forged process.

As intellectual property standards were established in France, manufacturers were required to include a second word or symbol along with SABATIER and many marks were registered. In 1979, the various trademark holders formed an association to protect the brand name and reputation. Unfortunately, one manufacturer is not in compliance and licensed their knives to be made cheaply in China and they are clearly inferior. Only knives manufactured in Thiers, France from well established manufacturers from the 19th century are considered authentic Sabatier knives. 

Our knives are guaranteed to be authentic Sabatier knives made in France by Thiers-Issard.

 How are Sabatier Knives made? 

Generally, knife blades are either forged or stamped.  Stamped blades are punched out from a thin ribbon of steel and then tempered and sharpened.  Most of this work is done by machines.  Forged blades are made when a steel bar is heated at high temperature and hammered into a die to form it's shape. It is then tempered, sharpened and finished.  Forging is the oldest method of construction and uses hand craftsmanship to produce the strongest and sharpest blades. While stamping may produce a consistent product, forging has traditionally been considered superior.

Our Four Star Elephant Sabatier knives are fully forged. 

How can I tell if it's from Thiers-Issard?

All Thiers-Issard Sabatier knives are stamped with with their trademark Four Star Elephant Sabatier logo. This mark indicates that you are purchasing the best Sabatier knives in the world made by a master craftsperson. 

What does INOX mean? 

From the French acier inoxydable, INOX is translated as stainless steel. 

What are stainless steel knives?

Most knives sold today are stainless steel, but the quality varies greatly.  Our stainless steel knives contain a higher about of carbon in order to incorporate the best attributes of both carbon steel and stainless steel. The blade is easy to maintain, resists tarnishing and is the most popular choice in kitchens. 

Our high carbon Stainless Steel Four Star Elephant Sabatier knives are made with 4116 norm Americain AISSY, a metal that is superior to the Z40C13 used in most kitchen knives. A higher percentage of carbon and chrome; the addition of vanadium (0.9%) and molybdenum (0.3%); hardening at 1050-1060 degrees centigrade; and, tempering at 310 degrees centigrade make this steel more resistant to corrosion, deformation and wear. 

What are Carbon Steel knives? 

We carry knives with Carbon Steel (Carbon C60 or "Full Carbon") blades for knife enthusiasts who are seeking an even sharper cut and are meticulous about caring for their knives.  These knives are harder than stainless steel, allowing them to be honed more finely for precise cutting. 

Carbon Steel knives require special care and like a vintage knife, they will tarnish over time.  They are also prone to rusting if left wet for any length of time. It is recommended to handwash with mild dish soap and dry fully immediately after each use and especially after cutting acidic foods such as lemons or apples.  To repel moisture, apply a light coating of mineral oil on the blade before storing.  See Knife Care for more detailed information on caring for carbon steel knives. 

Like a vintage knife, over time a carbon steel blade will eventually develop a patina.  For more information to decide which type of blade is best for you, please see Carbon vs Stainless. 

Why buy Four Star Elephant Sabatier knives? 

Time tested and refined:

French craftspeople have been making Sabatier knives and French chefs have been using Sabatier knives since 1615. Sabatier knives have been popular in American kitchens since the 1940's and continue to be a favorite among culinary professional and students alike. 

Hand made:

Individuality is the hallmark of a hand-made knife.  Thiers-Issard's master craftspeople are trained to achieve the the perfect balance of forging, grinding and honing and create a one-of-a-kind work of art.  Certain knife handles made from natural materials add another layer of uniqueness. 

Weight:

Four Star Elephant Sabatier stainless steel weigh 20% less than German equivalents. Lighter weight means less fatigue while cooking. Combined with the other features, Sabatier knives will have you cutting and chopping like a pro.

Balance:

When gripped properly, our Sabatier knives are designed to be perfectly balanced in your hand.  

Edge:

A secondary grind and an "effile" (final edge) hand ground by the highest trained master craftsperson ensure that your Four Star Elephant Sabatier knife have a sharp blade. The knives will reach their full potential with professional hand sharpening followed by using your sharpening steel or honing rod frequently in between professional sharpening. 

Bolster:

The traditional Sabatier round bolster makes it easier to sharpen the blade all the way to the heel. The design also allows for a better grip for comfort and control. 

Handles:

Unlike most knives sold today, Sabatier has a wide array of materials that are used as handles.  At Sabatier Knife Shop we carry variety of handles including red and green stamina handle which are stained beach wood. White and Blue Jeans Micarta are layered and impregnated with epoxy resin and pressed at high pressure, making them more resistant to heat and moisture. Classic black resin handles have been a staple in commercial kitchens for decades and the more recent addition of olive wood handles are the most popular handle. 

• Olive Wood - natural olive wood
• Red Stamina - beech wood tinted red to resemble rosewood
• Green Stamina - beech wood tinted green
• Black Nylon - durable commercial grade plastic resin
• White Micarta* - layers of linen with epoxy
• Blue Jeans Micarta* - layers of demin blue jeans with epoxy
• Imitation Horn - Tri-color resins to resemble natural horn   

Knifemaking in Thiers, France dates back from at least the 12th century. In 1884, Pierre Thiers established his own knife factory which he names Thiers-Issard (a combination of his own last name and that of his wife). His knife production thrived and became highly respected.

In 1958, the third generation of the Thiers family, Louise and Pierre initiated the mark of Four Star Elephant Sabatier to differentiate their fine French knives. After worldwide success, the business was sold in 1985 to Gille Rayenwaeter, who as maintained traditions while adding new product lines.  M. Rayenwaeter has already secured the continuity of Sabatier expertise with his son Eric as the Master Knifemaker and his daughters Marie-Laure and Sandra managing the business. 

The present day factory is in the center of the knife making district of Thiers, France and employs about 40 people, many of whom have been with the company for decades.

In addition to kitchen knives, Thiers-Issard is renown for their straight razors and pocket knives.  Their craftspeople are so skilled, they are often asked to make special tools for the defense industry, automobile trade and medical equipment.