K Sabatier French Chef’s Knives: 200 Years of Forging Knives

In the world of kitchen knives, few names carry the legacy and complexity of Sabatier. But among the many companies using the name, only one bears the “K” — and with it, nearly two centuries of family-owned, forged-in-France tradition.

K Sabatier, founded in 1834 in Thiers, France, has remained a true, continuously family owned and operating cutlery house for eight generations. They’ve been forging carbon steel blades since long before stainless steel became the standard, and their knives helped define the modern French chef’s knife, which many believe directly inspired the Japanese gyuto.

In this blog, we’re highlighting five K Sabatier knife series we proudly carry at Cutlery and More, ranging from classic carbon to modern stainless, from collector-grade to daily prep workhorses.

The knife that built K Sabatier’s reputation — a forged carbon steel chef’s knife made using traditional French techniques. Featuring a full bolster, triple-riveted POM handle, and that unmistakable heritage blade shape, this knife brings old-world cutting performance to the modern kitchen.

Why it matters:

Carbon steel takes a razor-sharp edge and sharpens easily.
A developing patina adds protection and character over time, but be sure to keep it dry to prevent rusting!
The minimalistic bolster provides weight, control, and a classic French balance.

Au Carbone Specs:

Drop-forged from a single piece of XC75 carbon steel blade
Rockwell Hardness 54-56
POM Synthetic Handle
Brass Rivets (Use for all K Sabatier carbon steel knives)
Available in 8", 9", 10", and 11" blade lengths.
Also available in a 4" Paring Knife.

This is the go-to series for anyone who wants a true taste of pre-stainless steel knife making — functional, elegant, and built to be used.

Note: You'll notice that the carbon steel K. Sabatier knives have an unusual appearance to the blade in some of the photos. Well, that's because K.Sabatier rubs oil on the blades to ensure they don't rust during transportation. Check out our YouTube Short on what they look like out of the box, and how to prep them for your first use!

Available only at Cutlery and More, the new bolsterless version of the Au Carbone line blends tradition with modern practicality. We are excited to have this series because it'll open the door to French forged chef's knives for many knife enthusiasts who prefer a demi-bolster or no-bolster knife.

Key Features:

No bolster = easier stone sharpening and full edge access
XC75 carbon steel, hand-forged in Thiers, France.
54-56 Rockwell
A slimmer feel at the pinch grip and a more agile feel.
Available in 5.75" and 8.75" blade lengths. Basically, a "prep" style knife and a classic Western-sized chef's knife.

For knife enthusiasts seeking the purity of carbon steel without the bulk of a full bolster, this series offers a perfect blend of history and functionality.

The Olive Wood line brings warmth and style to the K Sabatier lineup, featuring a modern performance steel paired with Mediterranean olive wood handles, which provide a distinct look and feel.

What makes it special:

Beautiful natural olive wood grain, unique to each knife.
Stainless steel blade for easy maintenance.
Sleek taper and smooth finish, ideal for modern home kitchens.

Olivewood Specs:

Drop-forged from a single piece of Z50C13 stainless steel.
54-56 Rockwell Hardness, so it's easy to sharpen!
Full-tang blade construction with a minimalistic, rounded classic French style bolster.
Stainless steel rivets.
Available in 6", 8", and 10" blade lengths.
The full collection includes other styles, such as santoku, slicing, paring, steak, boning, and other knife shapes.

The Olive Wood series is one of the more approachable entries into K Sabatier — great for gifting or for those who want everyday performance with visual character, but are easy to maintain!

Stamped with the founding year of K Sabatier, the Authentique 1834 Series brings historical reverence into a stainless steel blade. These knives feature the brand’s oldest logo, a stainless blade, and forged construction that still feels rooted in tradition.

K Sabatier knives are traditionally a little rough around the edges. Their soft steel blemishes easily and often need a few passes on a sharpening stone before they are cutting board ready - it's all part of the K Sabatier charm. However, the Authentique 1834 chef's knife is slightly more polished and ready to use straight out of the box.

Authentique 1834 Specs:

Drop-forged from a single piece of Z50C13 stainless steel.
Rockwell Hardness 57-58
Authentique 1834 Limited series features cryogenic treatment, further polishing, and finishing. Deep freezing refines the structure of the steel and increases hardness,
Full-tang with rounded classic French-style bolster.
POM handle with stainless steel rivets.
Available in 6", 8", and 10" blade lengths.
Includes leather sheath.
The 1834 collection also includes a paring and boning knife.

This is the best of both worlds: old-school credibility with modern steel and a limited edition identity.

To mark two centuries of knife-making excellence, K Sabatier created this Swedish stainless steel series — a rare bolsterless stainless line with a satin finish, forged in Thiers, France, and exclusive to high-end collectors and serious cooks.

If you're an EDC collector, you're going to love this pocket-kitchen-knife hybrid!

What sets it apart:

Premium Swedish stainless steel
Cryogenic tempering refines the steel's structure and increases its hardness.
Modern lightweight design using higher quality materials, advanced heat treatment, and an ultra-fine grind with hand-polished edges
Bolsterless profile for precision sharpening.
Grippy, G10, near indestructible scales!

200th Anniversary Specs:

Crafted from a single piece of Sandvik 14C28 nitrogen-enriched stainless steel.
Rockwell Hardness 60-61.
Full-tang G10 fiberglass handle with stainless steel rivets.
Available as an 8" Chef's knife and a 4" paring knife.
Includes leather sheath.

It’s sleek. It’s modern. And it honors 200 years of continuous craftsmanship without chasing trends. This is a knife made for serious prep — or serious display.

With each of these five series, you’re not just holding a knife — you’re holding the story of French culinary design, forged by a family that’s been doing it the same way since the 1800s.

Whether you’re drawn to the patina-building charm of carbon steel or the low-maintenance ease of stainless, there’s a K Sabatier series that fits your hand — and your kitchen.

Remember, you can outfit your entire knife collection with a variety of K Sabatier knife shapes and types. Explore the entire K Sabatier line of French Knives.