A century and a half of fine tableware craftsmanship

Since 1876, the Alain Saint-Joanis House has carried on an exceptional know-how, passed down from generation to generation. Located around Thiers, in the traditional heartland of French cutlery making—considered the historical cradle of the craft—the House has established itself as a reference in the art of the table.

From its earliest days, Alain Saint-Joanis produced table knives featuring precious materials such as exotic woods, tortoiseshell, ivory, mother-of-pearl and horn. Over time, this expertise expanded to include complete cutlery sets (forks, spoons, etc.) designed to match.

This artisanal tradition earned a renowned reputation for excellence: in 1908, a diploma from the Ministry of Commerce attested to the high quality of its products. Today, the House proudly holds the label Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant (EPV), a distinction honoring exceptional French craftsmanship.

Living craftsmanship — between tradition and adaptation

At Alain Saint-Joanis, every piece is crafted entirely by hand. The workshop, located in La Monnerie-le-Montel, receives forged blades that then undergo several essential stages: grinding to achieve a perfect edge, heat treatment to ensure hardness, initial polishing, followed by assembly (with handles in wood, resin or metal), and finally a meticulous hand-polished finish.

The materials used are of the finest quality—ebony, olivewood, rosewood, boxwood, silver- or gold-plated metal, as well as horn-effect or quartz-effect resins—offering both refined aesthetics and lasting durability. While staying faithful to its heritage, the House has successfully adapted to modern lifestyles: the collections are designed for everyday use, including dishwasher-safe compatibility.

Current collections — Diversity, elegance, personalization

Today, Alain Saint-Joanis primarily offers three main families of collections:

Prestige — for high-end, refined, and luxurious tableware. Silver, gold, or rose-gold finishes, with handles made from noble materials. Perfect for elegant dinners and exceptional tables.

Tendance — a collection reimagined for today: sleeker, more modern lines, varied materials, and designs adaptable for everyday use without sacrificing elegance.

Steak knives — both functional tableware and art pieces, available in multiple finishes and styles (resin handles with horn-effect, olivewood, stainless steel, etc.). Designed to suit all types of tables, from traditional to contemporary.

Additionally, the House offers a bespoke service: handle personalization, choice of finishes, and even the creation of unique pieces according to the client’s wishes — true artisanal luxury for a table that reflects your style.

What’s new for 2026 — A renewed ambition

For this year, Alain Saint-Joanis reaffirms its ability to combine tradition and modernity:

In the Prestige collection, new models such as DIAMANT and SEVILLE enrich the range, featuring engraving techniques combined with silver-plated or 24-carat gold finishes. The SEVILLE model introduces two new finishes with a bronze coating and a leather-inspired color.

In the steak knife collection, the ROSSINI and KOBE models are available in a variety of colors. These new steak knives are essential for accompanying your finest cuts of meat.

The expanded customization options allow cutlery to be tailored to the visual universe, table style, or personal taste — a unique blend of luxury, craftsmanship, and modernity.

These new additions illustrate the House’s commitment to staying aligned with trends while maintaining the quality and standards that have earned its reputation for nearly 150 years.

Between craftsmanship and contemporary luxury

What Diamant and Séville Bronze share—despite their different aesthetics—is a commitment to quality, French artisanal craftsmanship, and a constant pursuit of elevating the art of the table.

Diamant appeals to those who aspire to purity, timeless elegance, and understated luxury.

Séville Bronze captivates those who prefer a warm, welcoming atmosphere with a more “lively” and inviting style.

In this way, Alain Saint-Joanis offers with these two collections a dual response to the expectations of its clients—whether they are lovers of classic luxury or elegant conviviality.

Cutlery as objects of transmission

When the design contemporary Reinvents the cutlery he not the Diverts step from their function: he The sublime. At Alan Saint-Joanis, we Believe that each object who we Surrounds can become one link Come in the Generations one gesture from beauty at daily one homage at work Ok fact.

Alain Saint-Joanis embodies the rare combination of heritage, artisanal craftsmanship, and modernity. Every piece of cutlery, every knife, is an object of emotion—created to enhance a meal, tell a story, and bring meaning to your table.

Whether it’s an intimate dinner, an elegant reception, or everyday use with style, Alain Saint-Joanis offers the perfect balance of tradition, quality, and aesthetics—for an extraordinary culinary (and visual) experience.

Your cutlery created by a craftsman

Share this article

Continue reading