laguiole corkscrews

[bluebandit]

I wonder if anyone has had any luck getting a languiole corkscrew repaired in the Los Angeles area, or shipped anywhere, really. I've had no response from the company other than they don't handle repairs. It's got some serious sentimental value. Thanks!

[Sid Post]

Can you cannibal'ize a new one for parts?

[bluebandit]

I wouldn't know how to go about doing that on my own.

[Sid Post]

I would suggest you go to www.bladeforums.com, to the custom knife maker forum, and ask there. You should be able to find a knife maker that can help you there.

[bluebandit]

Thanks. I'll give it a shot. Appreciate the information.

[kaleokahu]

Hi, bluebandit.

I make a few knives. Help me understand... What do you mean by the "worm won't stabilize"? Has the pivot end of the worm broken off or become detached? Is the pin through the pivot end broken off or pulled through? Also, are there wooden or horn scales on the *outside* of where the through-pin sits?

If the through-pin is exposed (or if you can easily remove the scales by unscrewing), then the repair would involve drilling/pressing out the old pin and (assuming the pivot hole in the worm is OK), putting in and swaging/welding a new pin. Here is an example of a 'screw where the pivot pin can be exposed: http://www.beveragefactory.com/wine/w...

If, however, the through-pin is hidden behind bolsters or scales which are themselves soldered/pinned/epoxied on (like a pocketknife), the repair would entail taking those scales off to get at the pin, and likely damaging them in the process. If it's the *hole* (in the worm and/or the flanking metal liners) or the spring that's buggered up, you're looking at disassembling, reverse-engineering, and re-fabbing pretty much the whole corkscrew. These things are built a little like a sandwich, unfortunately, and usually have to go together in a certain sequence.

If you consult a bladesmith, make sure s/he specializes in precision folders. Many custom makers only do fixed blades, and that wouldn't end well. Another avenue might be a gunsmith.

If you post a photo or two showing the damage, perhaps I could be of a little more definite help.

Aloha,
Kaleo

[bluebandit]

Hi Kaleo:

Thanks so much for your very informative reply. The through-pin is indeed hidden behind bolsters, like a pocket knife. I found a company which deals with Chateau Laguiole quite a bit, and they offered to take care of sending the corkscrew back to France. Even Chateau Laguiole won't repair it, but they will replace it with a $30. shipping and handling and customs fee. So that's the road I'm taking. If anyone else has this issue, I suggest contacting the good folks at Custom Curling in CT. I'll let you know how it turns out.

Mahalo,
John

[kaleokahu]

Hi, bluebandit:

You're welcome. Sentimentality aside, that's a really good outcome.

The Custom Curling site is great. I really want this one: http://www.laguiole-imports.com/prodd...

Aloha,
Kaleo

[bluebandit]

Just wanted everyone to know that I received a brand new corkscrew today from Custom Curling. You don't send back the case, so the sentimental value is not completely gone. And it's the exact same model that I've used for the past 12 years. I can't recommend this merchant highly enough. I didn't even purchase the corkscrew from them originally!

Thanks for all the advice.

[ThanksVille]

Curious what broke or became damaged? I've had one, olive wood handle version,for almost 25 years now. It has traveled everywhere with us and still is in good condition.

[bluebandit]

I've had it about 12 years myself, and have always been really happy with the performance. What happens now is that whatever stopped the fulcrum when the worm and the bit are engaged no longer holds, so the worm just slips and won't engage. It's got to be something internal, but I wouldn't have the expertise to repair it myself even with another corkscrew. I was hoping someone else had an issue with their own and found a way to resolve it. Thanks for the feedback.

[ThanksVille]

Are we talking about the same "waiter's style" open the screw, rotate it into the cork, set the fulcrum against the bottle's edge and then lift up on the handle type unit? Or do they offer some sort of 'rabbit' style clamp, drive in, lift out mechanism?

[bluebandit]

It's the waiter's style. The worm won't stabilize. I was hoping someone had a good experience with getting a waiter's style repaired and could point me in the right direction.

[CindyJ]

You must have packed your corkscrew in with your checked luggage, assuming your travel was done by air. I can't tell you how many corkscrews I've had confiscated when going through airport security. My record was three at one checkpoint.