Mercorne, back at Coutellia 2026 and partner of the Jobs Knife Challenge

In May 2026, the cutlery community will gather in Thiers for the 35th anniversary of the company's foundingᵉ edition ofCoutellia, festival International du Couteau d'Art et de Tradition.
Just like every year,MercorneResponds to this major gathering of knife enthusiasts... and goes one step further by becomingpartner of the Jobs Knife Challenge, a festival exclusive.

Coutellia, the must-attend event for cutlers in Thiers

Founded in the early 1990s, Coutellia has grown over the years to becomeone of Europe's leading knife festivals.
The 2026 event will bring more than 100,000 visitors to Thiers, the cutlery capital of France300 exhibitorsFrom some twenty countries, including around200 knifemakers and cutlery makers, but also suppliers of raw materials and equipment for the industry.

For an entire weekend, visitors can :

• Discover unique pieces, art knives and traditional knives,

• Talk to craftsmen, blacksmiths and manufacturers,

• Watch demonstrations of forging, assembly, polishing or engraving,

• Meet with major material suppliers, including Mercorne.

Against this backdrop, theJobs Knife ChallengeMakes its first appearance in 2026.

The Jobs Knife Challenge, a first at Coutellia 2026

A new feature at the 35th Coutellia is theJobs Knife ChallengeMakes its first appearance in Thiers on May 16 and 17, 2026. Designed as an exclusive feature of the festival, this challenge highlights an essential but sometimes too little visible skill: that of journeymen cutlers and the "little hands" in the workshops, through assembly, polishing, guillochage and finishing tests.

The principle is simple but demanding: teams of 1 to 3 people, with at least one professional blacksmith or cutler, have 2 hours to make 3 pieces from the same material, i.e. a folding knife and two fixed knives. The competition is open to professionals and amateurs alike, with entry fees set at €180 per team, and technical constraints defined in the event rules.

Creations will be judged on a number of criteria: creativity, quality of fit, quality of polish and finish, and compliance with safety regulations. At the end of the two-day competition, three prizes will be awarded on Sunday May 17, 2026: €900 for 1st prize, with a trophy and a place on the jury for the next edition, €600 for 2nd prize and €300 for 3rd prize.

Event video

Mercorne, partner and supplier of handles for the Jobs Knife Challenge

For this first edition,Mercorne is proud to be a partner of the Jobs Knife Challenge.

Our role: to provide participants with300 sleeves, they've been carefully prepared for the event, so they can focus all their energy on their core business: transforming materials into exceptional knives.

We have selected4 types of woodTo offer different ways of working the material and multiply the creative possibilities:

• Palm tree

• Horse chestnut

• Ash
• Holly

As always at Mercorne, each pair of inserts is individuallyfitted and identified, to guarantee a homogeneous, traceable material, ready to be enhanced by the cutler's work.

By supporting the Jobs Knife Challenge, Mercorne confirms its vocation as atechnical partner of the workshopsAndreference supplier for cutlers.

Shared values: high standards, transmission and discretion

At Mercorne, we believe in a simple vision:a fine knife starts with a fine blade, in the service of the craftsman's gesture.

This is exactly the spirit of the Jobs Knife Challenge, which highlights the trades of assembly, polishing and guillochage, often less visible but essential to the final result.

We particularly appreciate this type of initiative, which :

• Add value to the work of our workshop teams,

• Give material suppliers their place,

• Encourage the sharing of experience between cutlers,

• Build bridges between established professionals and young talent.

By becoming a partner of the Jobs Knife Challenge, Mercorne is fully assuming its role: present behind the scenes, through the quality of the woods offered, but always at the service of those who imagine, assemble and finish the knives.

See you at Coutellia 2026

VisitMay 16 and 17, 2026, we look forward to welcoming knifemakers, blade enthusiasts and visitors to the festival site in Thiers.

Whether you're an art cutler, a manufacturer, an apprentice or a collector, Coutellia is the place to bethe ideal time to see, touch and compare materials, exchange techniques and discover new species for your next projects.

We are available for :

• Introducing the woods used in the Jobs Knife Challenge,

• Discuss your sleeve and material requirements,

• Advise you on the choice of wood species to suit your style of cutlery,

• Helping you find the material that will make the difference on your pieces.

Mercorne, materials supplier for cutlers

Beyond the event itself, participation in Coutellia and the Jobs Knife Challenge is a continuation of what we do every day:

Select, prepare and match quality woods and materials for art and traditional knives.

As aspecialized supplier for cutlers, mercorne accompanies :

• Independent craftsmen and cutlers,

• Cutlery companies,

• Schools and training courses,

• Enthusiasts who want to take their projects to the next level.

If you can't make it to Thiers for Coutellia 2026, you can find all our essences and references dedicated to cutlery directly on our website.

Outlier, manufacturer, apprentice or collector, Coutellia remains the ideal time to see, touch and compare materials, exchange techniques and discover new species for your next projects.

We are available for :

• Introducing the woods used in the Jobs Knife Challenge,

• Discuss your sleeve and material requirements,

• Advise you on the choice of wood species to suit your style of cutlery,

• Helping you find the material that will make the difference on your pieces.

Mercorne, materials supplier for cutlers

Beyond the event itself, participation in Coutellia and the Jobs Knife Challenge is a continuation of what we do every day:

Select, prepare and match quality woods and materials for art and traditional knives.

As aspecialized supplier for cutlers, mercorne accompanies :

• Independent craftsmen and cutlers,

• Cutlery companies,

• Schools and training courses,

• Enthusiasts who want to take their projects to the next level.

If you can't make it to Thiers for Coutellia 2026, you can find all our essences and references dedicated to cutlery directly on our website.

• Encourage the sharing of experience between cutlers,

• Build bridges between established professionals and young talent.

By becoming a partner of the Jobs Knife Challenge, Mercorne is fully assuming its role: present behind the scenes, through the quality of the woods offered, but always at the service of those who imagine, assemble and finish the knives.

See you at Coutellia 2026

VisitMay 16 and 17, 2026, we look forward to welcoming knifemakers, blade enthusiasts and visitors to the festival site in Thiers.

Whether you're an art cutler, a manufacturer, an apprentice or a collector, Coutellia is the place to bethe ideal time to see, touch and compare materials, exchange techniques and discover new species for your next projects.

We are available for :

• Introducing the woods used in the Jobs Knife Challenge,

• Discuss your sleeve and material requirements,

• Advise you on the choice of wood species to suit your style of cutlery,

• Helping you find the material that will make the difference on your pieces.

Mercorne, materials supplier for cutlers

Beyond the event itself, participation in Coutellia and the Jobs Knife Challenge is a continuation of what we do every day:

Select, prepare and match quality woods and materials for art and traditional knives.

As aspecialized supplier for cutlers, mercorne accompanies :

• Independent craftsmen and cutlers,

• Cutlery companies,

• Schools and training courses,

• Enthusiasts who want to take their projects to the next level.

If you can't make it to Thiers for Coutellia 2026, you can find all our essences and references dedicated to cutlery directly on our website.