Champagne Saber

The tradition of opening a Champagne bottle with a saber was born in the Napoleonic era, by the general himself after winning a battle in 1812. This unique custom has survived to this day, and not only in France.

After the wire basket is removed from the cork, the blade is slid along the neck of the bottle, and onto the thicker part of the neck below the bottle head. When done in a strong, smooth motion (it takes a little practice), the cork leaps out with a bang and the Champagne flows out, and any resulting glass fragments fly forward, propelled by the pressure, creating a veritable firework of bubbly.

The Berkel Champagne Saber is entirely handcrafted and polished by skilled craftsmen's hands in Maniago, Italy. The handle is in the characteristic Berkel dark resin, while the blade is made of Martensitic stainless steel, heat-treated to perfection to achieve the precise level of hardness which makes opening a bottle of Champagne an unforgettable experience.

Visit The Manuscript to learn more about the champagne saber tradition.