Charles Canon

Charles Canon embodies the union of two enthusiasts, Pascal Charles and Aurélien Canon, staunch advocates of cutlery and the rich heritage of Hauts-de-France. In 2018, these visionaries took over the company Dutilleul, originally specialising in the manufacture of electrical sockets for major international companies. However, within this company, they also design wooden knife cases for renowned cutlery makers, including Laguiole.

Strongly inspired by their expertise in precision wood machining, Pascal and Aurélien decided to create a regional knife that would symbolise the history and know-how of Hauts-de-France. Thus, the Charles Canon brand was born. For these passionate craftspeople, choosing coal was an obvious choice. This emblematic material of Northern France fuelled and heated homes in the region for generations. Their connection to coal goes beyond their trade: one has family roots in mining, with his father and grandfather both having been miners, while the other comes from a lineage of coal merchants from Lallaing.

Their workshop is established on a site that also inspires their work: a former spoil heap, a mound formed by mining waste, recalls the region’s mining history.

Making a knife handle from coal represents a considerable challenge due to the material’s friable and staining nature. After numerous experiments and research, Pascal and Aurélien perfected their own manufacturing method, combining tradition, innovation and a connection to the local heritage of Hauts-de-France.