Historical timeline
Jean Dubost

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1920

Dubost Colas Pradel was established as a manufacturing company in 1920, and entered into the trade register in 1921, its activities listed as “Manufacture and assembly of cutlery

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1924

Pierre began researching bevelling (bevelled blades are ground with zero bevel to create the sharp edge); this manufacturing stage could not be done by Pierre and Marcelle in Viscomtat, because the village did not yet have electricity. The blades were therefore sharpened in Thiers, on the banks of the Durolle river. Pierre would collect the blades by bicycle, folding them into jute bags hanging from the rack.

Simple evidence of this can be found on the insurance policy, with its comment “no motive power”, indicating that the Dubost-Colas-Pradel had no electrical supply.

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1931

Pierre, Marcelle, Jean, and Noël Dubost on his mother’s knee

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1940-1945

Jean and Noël, the sons of the founders, were by now grown up, and joined their parents in the company, together with their own wives.

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1950

The first general cutlery catalogue, published in the early 1950s. You’ll notice that the company’s telephone number at the time was simply 1!

To further encourage the rebirth of the company’s business, its knives were exhibited for the first time at the Lyon Fair in 1950, and then at the Salon des Arts Ménagers à la Défense, in Paris, in 1955.

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1955

Table knives, their acetate handles stamped with the company hallmark, sold in a red velvet-lined case.

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1960

The cutlery workshop in the 1960s: Pierre Dubost, the creator of our cutlery, by then 70 years old, enjoys the beautiful day seated in the shade on the bench outside his house, beside the workshop.

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1962

In 1962, a real visionary driven by his desire to expand the company’s exports, Jean, the son of the founders, crosses the Atlantic and exhibits his goods, first in New York and then in Canada. He is awarded a medal for exports, underlining the dynamic nature of family owned cutlery. The business grows, and now employs 20 people.

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1966

In 1966, the company’s growth brought about the first expansion projects (of approximately 400m²) were carried out and a high-voltage transformer substation was installed to provide power to the workshop machinery.
The village however has very little accommodation, already occupied by several generations of local inhabitants, which limits further hiring. The company therefore invests in the construction of two homes to accommodate new employees and their families.

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1968-1973

In 1968, Pierre is widowed, and his two sons, Jean and Noël, together with their respective wives, Marceline and Roselle, create a partnership always called DUBOST – COLAS – PRADEL. They jointly manage the business, while they continue to work in the workshops, at the polishing or assembly stations.
1973 sees the construction of “modern and functional” offices.

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1973

So-called “deer’s foot” Jean Dubost table knives, with their double brass bolster and Rio rosewood handle, recorded excellent sales, particularly at William Sonoma, a luxury store in the USA.

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1975

Jean’s briefcase - affectionately referred to as the “Marmotte” – comprised different trays for displaying table knives and flatware samples to customers during his travels.

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1978

Jean, Marceline, Philippe and Marlyse Dubost at the Bijorca (Bijouterie Joaillerie Horlogerie Cadeaux) international trade fair in Paris.

The display of the first flatware with colourful plastic handles - such as the Bistrot range bellow - is a huge success.

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1980

In 1980, to ensure that it was “at the heart of business”, the company opened an office in Paris, on the Rue de Paradis: the home of all of the great names in porcelain and jewellery.

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1981

Uginox knife, a stainless steel knife mounted and riveted into 2 shells. A great success in famous Habitat stores in France and in William Sonoma in the United States.

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1984

In the 1980s, Dubost Colas Pradel also produced its own pins: the Toucan emblem on its cutlery!

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1986

“ERGONOMICS” knives: an iconic knife - available as a kitchen or steak knife for table use. A polypropylene handle with a veined wood appearance, the knife did not slip. Thanks to its shape and the finger grip moulded into the handle, the collection provided a very good grip. Perfect ergonomics, and a major success with professional users.

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1988

Following the success of their plastic-handled flatware, Jean and his son decided to build a new building, larger than the first, and intended for plastics processing. Moving the plastic injection moulding machines during the expansion work.

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1988

Jean Dubost, the son of the founder, wanted to introduce an innovative, useful and safe product for opening oysters - the oyster gripperand its knife. An iconic product, still in widespread use today.

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1990

The very trendy grill product ranges for friendly encounters around the barbecue. Knives which can be found, for example, in the USA, one the tables of Michael Jordan’s Steak House outlets.

Or even its BBQ bags and utensils with bubinga handles, purchased by Francis Ford Coppola for his Napa Valley boutiques.

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1990

LONDON model flatware with Vichy motif (trademarked in 1995) sold in transparent jar-like containers: iconic flatware.
Handle material: ABS with motif applied using pad printing in our workshops.

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1994

Saucisson cellar : ideal for preserving your cold cuts in complete elegance, this comes with a micro-serrated knife and a lid which can also be used as a cutting surface, for fun, friendly and tasty moments!

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1995

Jean Dubost flatware with real bamboo handle
Warm colours, natural materials, and entirely handmade: timeless success for this flatware, which combines robustness with elegance. The bamboo root used to manufacture the handles makes each piece unique!

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1996

Dubost Colas Pradel joins the Confrérie du Couteau Le Thiers®. The Confrérie du Couteau LE THIERS® aims to defend and promote high-quality cutlery from the Thiers area, and manufacturing is subject to stringent regulations stipulated in the Jurande pact.

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1998

On the last day of work before retiring, it is a tradition amongst cutlers to cut up your shirts… with a knife, of course! A grateful thank you to “all of our partners, past and present” for their participation in the development of our brand.

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2000

The number of pieces manufactured daily continues to grow, and in 2000, Thierry Ojardias also joins the company as production director.

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2004-2007

Business accelerates further, and the factory is becoming cramped. The decision is therefore taken to build (in 2004) and then enlarge (in 2007) a storage and shipment building which includes a space devoted to logistics, and the preparation and packaging of our products. The goal is to provide optimal service to all of our customers in France and abroad.

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2007

Jean Dubost Laguiole flatware are available in a Premium range with a steel thickness of 2.5 mm, cross-hatching work on the back of the blade and a real wooden handle, made of olivewood. Flatware produced entirely by hand in our workshops, and sold with a certificate of authenticity guaranteeing our exceptional expertise. This Premium collection will subsequently be made available with different kinds of wood.

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2009

In 2009, Jean Dubost becomes the first PEFC (Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification) certified cutler for there are sustainable management of oak forests, wood from which is used to manufacture the handles for our knives and flatware for table use. Each handle bears a certification number, thus guaranteeing that consumers are purchasing responsibly.

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2010

Jean Dubost introduces a “Laguiole Motifs” collection, handles with Guinguette, barocco, carbon, chequerboard, letter, bandana and other motifs.

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2011

Dubost Colas Pradel becomes a joint partner in the humanitarian association Action Contre la Faim (Action against Hunger). For each Microegg® purchased, Jean Dubost donates 0.15 Euros to Action Contre la Faim.

Microegg®: A fun, colourful shape for microwaving eggs - easy, quick and tasty! 100% made in France.

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2012

The Jean Dubost Laguiole Sommelier Millesime® corkscrew design is created and registered - entirely designed and manufactured in our workshops, only its 5 spiral worm, which requires specific tooling, is manufactured in a neighbouring workshop, 5 km away from our own factory!

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2013

Microcake® is created: 100% made in France, the Microcake® is a fun, colourful kitchen utensil which allows you to microwave gorgeous individual desserts - easy, fast and tasty. Genuine sweet treats for gourmets young and old!

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2013

Jean Dubost table knives and flatware are regularly chosen for TV cooking shows (Le Meilleur Pâtissier, Dans la Peau d’un Chef, Petits Plats en Equilibre, La Meilleure Boulangerie de France, and many more…)

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2014

A member of UNITAM, Jean Dubost exhibits in Frankfurt and, from 2018 onwards, in Chicago, under the “Pavillon France” Banner, surrounded by other famous French manufacturing brands in the culinary and tableware worlds.

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2015

In 2015, Alexandre decides to change the company name, “Dubost Colas Pradel”: from now on, it will be known as “Jean Dubost”, the name not only of his grandfather, but also of what has become a brand which is recognised around the world for its expertise and the quality of its knives and flatware. Imbued with this unique know-how and desire to do their jobs well, passed down from generation to generation, Alexandre Dubost and his team produce and shape an extremely wide range of table flatware and kitchen knives, while monitoring trends on an ongoing basis (colours, materials, design, etc.) so that they can best meet their customers’ expectations.

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2015

The Jean Dubost Laguiole Stand’up® line is created: a pure design to shake up your style!

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2016

Frérot® pocket knife by Jean Dubost: the pocket knife with a locking ferrule, by Jean Dubost. A product that gives: for each Frérot knife purchased, Jean Dubost donates 0.15 Euros to Action Contre la Faim.

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2016

Following the success of its kitchen knife and flatware ranges with natural wooden handles (olivewood, wenge, oak, bubinga, walnut, juniper…), Jean Dubost expands and restructures the wood workshop.

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2017

In 2017, Jean Dubost’s EPV - Entreprise du Patrimoine Vivant label is renewed: “Our commitment to passing on our expertise to the new generations and producing with a view to quality at each stage of manufacture has enabled us to obtain our EPV label renewal.

True advocates of “Made in France”, being awarded this label means “forming part of the treasures of French manufacturing heritage, and is a real honour for us”.”

See the film with Michel, Eric and Pierre (3 hands)

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2017

Already established and recognised in the international hotel and restaurant business , Jean Dubost participated in the Sirha trade fair in Lyon in 2017: THE WORLD’S MEETING PLACE FOR THE RESTAURANT AND HOTEL INDUSTRY, in order to develop their presence in France within this sector.

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2018

The Jean Dubost eco-responsibility ranges expand: ranges with PEFC oak handles: kitchen knives, Laguiole flatware, Millésime corkscrew, Natura and Line ranges with cornstarch-based plant bioplastic, Paper Line: recycled paper-based chopping boards. Jean Dubost signs the eco-responsibility manifesto “Osons Demain” calling for a real ecological transition in France, thus reaffirming the positions that the company has already promoted for many years.

To preserve our planet today, as well as for future generations! Jean Dubost, eco-responsible by nature.

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2019

Jean Dubost is awarded renewed PEFC certification for its sustainable management of the oak forests, wood from which it is used to manufacture the handles of its kitchen knives and flatware for table use.

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2019

In 2019, cutler Jean Dubost is awarded the French Fab label. Established on October 2, 2017 by Bruno Le Maire, the French Minister of the Economy and Finance, the label aims to:

  • "Accelerate the transformation of industry in France
  • Unite French industries under the same banner
  • Embody the prosperous future of French industry and the attractiveness of its professions
  • Show off the excellence of French industry internationally”
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2021 : Jean Dubost RECOGNIZED social responsibility’s commitments


Convinced by a sustainable development approach that combines economic efficiency, territorial involvement, social equity and environmental preservation, the Jean Dubost team is very honored to inform you of the award of the "Committed CSR, confirmed level" label issued by AFNOR certification.

A recognition of our daily commitments that we want to share and above all continue with all of you: employees, customers, suppliers, partners…!

This is also a great opportunity for the whole Jean Dubost team to thank you once again for your confidence!