powernoodle
Power Member
- Joined
- Jul 21, 2004
- Messages
- 11,974
I'm a slow learner, so its taken me a while to discover Opinel. I recently received 3 from eknifeworks.com (Smoky Mountain Knife Works) and found them to be very interesting little knives.
They are not spendy, thats for sure. I bought a No. 6 with stainless blade and olive wood handle for $8.99. Same price for a No. 8 stainless with walnut. And finally, $13.99 for a carbon steel wood saw - it says "No. 12" on it, but is not advertised as being a particular size. UPS was $9, which certainly reduced the cost efficiency of the transaction, but I'm not complaining.
Though not put together like a Sebenza, they appear durable enough for at least light duty, and probably more. There is a good deal of blade flex (it is a thin blade after all), though the ring locks are secure and easy to operate. They come out the box mighty sharp and look to be fine slicers. I'm no fan of French culture, but these knives are aethestically pleasing, and I can just imagine Jacques using one in the vinyard to slice some cheese and crusty bread. There is a nice simplicity about them - which, of course, is good because simple is all you are going to get for $9.
Others have noted that the handle might swell when wet, or even damp, but I do not plan on finding out for myself.
Opinels must have one of the highest value to dollar ratios of any brand out there. The folding saw will live in my vehicle's toolbox, and the others will get occasional EDC duty.
Would I rather have 35 Opinels or 1 Sebenza? Thats a toughy. :thumbup:
No. 8 wearing walnut, top, with No. 6 in olive.
L - r: No. 6, No. 8 and folding saw.
No. 6.
L - r: No. 6, No. 8 and folding saw.
Size comparo - shown with large Sebenza.
right on
They are not spendy, thats for sure. I bought a No. 6 with stainless blade and olive wood handle for $8.99. Same price for a No. 8 stainless with walnut. And finally, $13.99 for a carbon steel wood saw - it says "No. 12" on it, but is not advertised as being a particular size. UPS was $9, which certainly reduced the cost efficiency of the transaction, but I'm not complaining.
Though not put together like a Sebenza, they appear durable enough for at least light duty, and probably more. There is a good deal of blade flex (it is a thin blade after all), though the ring locks are secure and easy to operate. They come out the box mighty sharp and look to be fine slicers. I'm no fan of French culture, but these knives are aethestically pleasing, and I can just imagine Jacques using one in the vinyard to slice some cheese and crusty bread. There is a nice simplicity about them - which, of course, is good because simple is all you are going to get for $9.
Others have noted that the handle might swell when wet, or even damp, but I do not plan on finding out for myself.
Opinels must have one of the highest value to dollar ratios of any brand out there. The folding saw will live in my vehicle's toolbox, and the others will get occasional EDC duty.
Would I rather have 35 Opinels or 1 Sebenza? Thats a toughy. :thumbup:
No. 8 wearing walnut, top, with No. 6 in olive.
L - r: No. 6, No. 8 and folding saw.
No. 6.
L - r: No. 6, No. 8 and folding saw.
Size comparo - shown with large Sebenza.
right on
). Try out one of their Garden Knives (drop point in 12c27 with a slimmer, more curved handle).