Man has been creating and using knives since the dawn of time. These tools, whether they are crafted of flint, obsidian, bone, ivory, copper, bronze, iron or steel, combine functional and aesthetic properties.
At Tarrerias-Bonjean, cutlery has been an integral part of its identity since 1648 when the first written record of a cutlery maker named Tarerias was registered in the parish archives in Thiers, France.
Forged on the strength of this heritage, Lucien & Marie Tarrerias - whose maiden name was Bonjean - established the family company in 1962. They based the company in Thiers in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes. To this day, 80% of French knives are still made in Thiers.
Today, Éric and Carole Tarrerias perpetuate the company’s age-old savoir-faire, which has been passed down from generation to generation.
In 2023, Tarrerias Bonjean joined the Henokiens association to become its 56th member. This brings together family and bicentennial businesses from all continents, without commercial, industrial or financial goals. The association aims to provide moral, cultural and philosophical mutual assistance around the common value of family business, while promoting dynamism, innovation and modernity. To be part of it, you must be in operation and a family business for 200 years (or more).
Tarrerias-Bonjean (TB) began its collaboration with the French Army in 1996 by developing tools for military use; the first of which was the Bivouac® knife. Now a legend, this multipurpose campaign knife was part of the French soldiers' gear from 1996 to 2001.The Baroudeur® knife replaced the Bivouac® for a period of 16 years. In 2017, Tarrerias-Bonjean won the contract bid for the French Army’s new campaign knife. The C.A.C.® (Combat Assistance Campaign) knife was developed in partnership with a military expert to replace the Baroudeur®. This knife features today’s latest technologies and represents a milestone in the long history of the knives that have equipped French soldiers.
TB OUTDOOR is not just military items and is now available for the general public. Adaptations have been made to the Army CAC knife to allow for a larger audience.
Close now to 400 years of history, TB remains at the forefront of innovation and technology.
