By the end of the Middle Ages, Sauveterre had established itself as the hub of Rouergue cutlery, boasting around thirty blacksmiths by 1425. However, the 16th century brought a significant downturn in the industry due to religious conflicts, plague outbreaks, and deforestation.

In 1998, inspired by a television series titled “”La clef des Champs,”” which depicted a Parisian returning to Sauveterre de Rouergue to revive her father’s cutlery business, a special Sauveterre knife was crafted for the show. The popularity of this folding knife led Guy Vialis to open a cutlery workshop in the same year, dedicated to its production. After Vialis’s passing, Christian Valat, the proprietor of Laguiole en Aubrac, acquired the business in 2018.

The Sauveterre folding knife, reminiscent of the straight Laguiole design, is celebrated for its slender, elegant, and sophisticated form, featuring a highly effective blade ideal for dining. Available in both table and pocket versions, the knife is noted for its exceptional assembly quality, with a seamless spring that allows for 3D customization. The fly is uniquely forged in the shape of a sage leaf, symbolizing the village of Sauveterre de Rouergue. Additionally, the artisans of Sauveterre craft other regional knives, including the exclusive Camembert, produced solely in Sauveterre.