Boker Knifestyle | Edition 2020 / 2021 | English

80
A
ESABRAGE
The tradition of opening a bottle of champagne with
a saber goes back to the days of Napoleon. In 1812,
the mighty commander himself celebrated a victory
on the battlefield by originating the ‘sabrage’ with a
Briquet saber. This unique tradition is still alive and
well today, far beyond the borders of France. It is a
special highlight of any festive occasion.
If done correctly, it usually works without a hitch.
The wire is removed from the cork. In one measured
stroke, the saber blade glides along the neck of the
bottle and hits the thicker ridge underneath the top.
The top flies off with a bang and the champagne
can flow. Any shards of glass are carried off by the
pressure. The severed top with the cork inside is
marked with the date and kept as a memento of the
event or as a talisman.