corkscrew

Send me a name and address and I will mail her a brand new one for free. They have a corporate logo but I don't think it will get in her way at all. I might not get around to mailing it for several weeks as I am operating out of a wheel chair with a broken leg. Bill

I've always admired the better Laguiole wooden corkscrews from france, but be sure to shop carefully. I have seen Laguiole products (from the town of Laguiole) for less than $15 up to more than $100. The cheap ones are poorly finished, and the more expensive ones are beautiful works of craftsmanship and art.

Our sympathies! Perhaps you can find a bottle of Copain Broken Leg Viognier! Feel better, quick recovery. Dale

Dale Williams Drop "damnspam" to reply

Which begs the question: Which manufacturers do the folks here consider the best for these style of corkscrews (i.e. "waiter's friend")?

Art Schubert Traverse City, Michigan

Laguiole 3004. The best picture:

I ordere mine from here:

or

M.

Chateau Laguiole. Period.

M.

Laguiole 3004. The best picture:

I ordered mine from here:

or

M.

With money no object, yes indeed. For those less willing to spend the US$100 or so required for a nice Laguiole may I suggest the Pulltap, a good double-action corkscrew at much nicer prices.

pavane

Well, the question was clear and definite: "the best" ;-)

Very good idea indeed.

M.

I concur. Bi!!

Thanks to all who responded!

I love the Chateau Laguiole Grand Crus with the wooden handles, but my they are expensive! I just might get one anyway, but I do fear it getting lost, stolen, or misplaced in the commotion of a BYOB restaurant.

I am surprised there aren't alternative choice in the $50 to $75 range.

suggestions?

I disagree - the Laguiole is a nice yuppie toy, but the Pulltap is actually better for the purpose of pulling corks, especially older crumbly ones. The two step action puts much less stress on brittle corks.

In this case, The VW does a better job than the Mercedes.

I beg to differ completely. I happen to open some 4000 bottles a year, and my last Laguiole survived for five years. I have yet to see *any* other brand with such a performance. We sometimes use give-away waiters friends - many do not even survive one larger tasting (~ 400 corks to pull).

Not that I would put too much weight on that argument, but Laguiole is state of the art in any sommelier competion on this planet.

M.

I never heard this name before. Is it the neme of a brand which prodices only one style of corkscrew? Which style?

Vilco

Pardon, I've seen the picture that you linked here under... Single action, then.

Vilco

I have to concur with you here. As a Sommelier who opens hundreds of bottles a week I go nowhere without my Laguiole corkscrew.

There are a number of different producers that are permitted to use the "bee" logo from the town or region that produces them and the good ones I've seen have all been works of art. They really are the Rolls Royce of corkscrews.

AndrewC

In as much as I don't go anywhere without mine I have also learned that it goes right back into my pocket once the wine is open. People do steal and lose corkscrews in the restaurant but the answer to the question "Can I borrow your corkscrew?" is a resounding "No" and the waiters respect that.

AndrewC

If sheer survival was the only criterion, Michael, you and I would surely be very highly rated!

I would agree that the Laguiole is built like a tank and will outlast most cheaper corkscrews, but I thought that the question was which one works better, not longer.

I find that the two step screws are much better for dodgy corks, as they are less likely to tear them, working at a better angle.

And if you are worried about longevity, for the price of one Laguiole, you can buy a case of the other sort and replace them when they become shop-worn.

Does the blade ever require sharpening?

My favorite waiters friend has a sereated blade and doesn'tcut the foil as smooth as it used to.