Hello, I have been reading this forum quite awhile and decided to join. Many people swear by opinels and I have been looking at them but I just don't know what size to buy? I'm thinking either a #6 or a #8 for edc, I'm not opposed to a large knife, I would make my own belt sheath for it, and it will get hard use. Any help would be much appreciated.... also, it has to be a #6 or above, I want the twist lock.
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Best Opi to buy?
- Thread starter GunnerJ
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I have a 6, and I love it, but it's a pretty small knife. I think for relatively hard use I'd go with an 8, or maybe a 10.
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Welcome to the forums! I have a #7 in carbon steel and often forget how much I like the knife. Since you are looking at a #6 or #8 maybe you should try the #7 out. Opinel's carbon steel is pretty awesome, the thin blades are really easy to sharpen and get scary sharp. Good luck!
I have both a #6 and a #8. To echo what Ace and Redbeardo said, I like them both, but they are much different knives. The #6 is a smallish, SAK-sized handy folder. The #8 is more of a working knife, in my opinion. It is almost large in my hands but is definitely pocketable. But you get a hand-filling grip and enough blade to work with. When you say "hard use" my first thought is #8, but I have no experience with the larger sizes.
I have to echo what's been said. I have a 5-8 and I think the 6 is my favorite, but whenever I need a working knife I grab the 8. The 8 is definitely the best selling opi, but for me it's too big for pocket carry. On a belt or in a bag? An 8 would be great. But my most carried is carbon no. 6
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I have both a #6 and a #8. If I were only going to have one, it would be a #8. Even though I have medium sized hands, I appreciate the additional handle real estate on the 8, pretty much no matter what I am doing.
I wish they made a locking #5, but I love the #6 most. The #8 is a great work, tool box, yard, truck knife and is even pretty pocket-able. The #6 has some decent size but floats in your pocket. Maybe a #7 is a compromise
Here are 4-9 with some doubles.
The two #6's are 3rd and 4th from the left. two #7's (one reg and one Cohglans) next to the right and two #8's to follow and a #9 Coghlans on the far right.
Here are 4-9 with some doubles.
The two #6's are 3rd and 4th from the left. two #7's (one reg and one Cohglans) next to the right and two #8's to follow and a #9 Coghlans on the far right.
dannyp
Gold Member
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I started with a #9 because it was the largest I could legally carry at the time. It was a bit too bulky for me which caused me to stop carrying it. Last year I picked up a #8 and it's been my most used knife since then. I hadn't previously noticed that the diameter of the handle also increases along with the length. I was surprised at just how much of a difference it made in the pocket. The #8 also offers the most handle choices unless you're set on getting a carbone version.
Here's mine with olivewood.
Here's mine with olivewood.
- Joined
- Mar 19, 2012
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- 373
Hello,
I have found that the number 7 Opinel is the best compromise for comfortable pocket carry, I also carry the number 6 frequently.
The numbers 8 and 9 are very useful sizes as well, but you may find that they are a little big for comfortable daily pocket carry.
Welcome to the Opinel world, like many others you will find out that they are absolutely great knives.
Good luck with whatever you decide on, be it Carbon or Stainless, they are all good.
Cheers.
I have found that the number 7 Opinel is the best compromise for comfortable pocket carry, I also carry the number 6 frequently.
The numbers 8 and 9 are very useful sizes as well, but you may find that they are a little big for comfortable daily pocket carry.
Welcome to the Opinel world, like many others you will find out that they are absolutely great knives.
Good luck with whatever you decide on, be it Carbon or Stainless, they are all good.
Cheers.
- Joined
- Mar 17, 2013
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- 377
Here is a box of stainless Opi's, Number 2 to 12. I'm missing the stainless #7 and #10. Below on the left is my modified stainless walnut #6, and on the right are 2 carbon #7's.
The orange is stock, and the one below had it's lock removed, and a sanded, oiled handle.
The number 7 is definitely my choice. It's like a longer #6 and a thinner #8 and is has the perfect sized handle. (in my opinion, of course. If the #7 was the ''best'' Opinel, then we wouldn't have all the others to choose from.
)The 6 & 7 are like normal sized pocket knives, only lighter.
The 8 & 9 are more like large folders like the Buck 112 & 110 only a LOT lighter. IMO, the 8 is best is fine if you have L sized gloves. The 9 is better for XL hands. I can deal with both in jeans pockets but others may.
If you use a knife for food, I like the 8 or 9 best.
The 8 & 9 are more like large folders like the Buck 112 & 110 only a LOT lighter. IMO, the 8 is best is fine if you have L sized gloves. The 9 is better for XL hands. I can deal with both in jeans pockets but others may.
If you use a knife for food, I like the 8 or 9 best.
I would not call an Opinel out of the box a hard use knife. As the handles get smaller the blades get shorter, and thinner as well. A #6 IMO is a nice little gentleman's folder. The blade is on the thin side for very heavy use. Pinnah swears by his #9-10 Opies for heavier use. 'Course the handles get bigger as you get into beefier blades.
The only reason I still mod is to make the handle a little smaller and more manageable and to knock off the blade tip which can be fragile.
A #8 may not be "best" but most people recommend it as a good place to start, something in the middle for general use.
Here's poor pic of a #8 modded years ago for hard use. I shortened the handle a lot and shortened the blade to a stout sheepsfoot, taking it back to actually impinge on the nail nick significantly.
PS: I like the stainless much better. It sharpens like and is as tough as a carbon steel. Their carbon is on the soft side.
The only reason I still mod is to make the handle a little smaller and more manageable and to knock off the blade tip which can be fragile.
A #8 may not be "best" but most people recommend it as a good place to start, something in the middle for general use.
Here's poor pic of a #8 modded years ago for hard use. I shortened the handle a lot and shortened the blade to a stout sheepsfoot, taking it back to actually impinge on the nail nick significantly.
PS: I like the stainless much better. It sharpens like and is as tough as a carbon steel. Their carbon is on the soft side.
Last edited:
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Welcome to the forum!
I have both a 6 inox and an 8 carbon. Great knives (that goes without saying, right?). I am about 5' 10" and 200 lbs. No problem at all carrying my 8 in pocket when I'm wearing jeans. It's so light you hardly even notice it. I tend to carry the 6 in town, and the 8 when we're out in the country or on a woods walk. Let us know what you end up with.
-- Mark
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- Feb 1, 2012
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- 11,783
The number 7 is definitely my choice. It's like a longer #6 and a thinner #8 and is has the perfect sized handle. (in my opinion, of course. If the #7 was the ''best'' Opinel, then we wouldn't have all the others to choose from.
For a first, and maybe only (ha!) Opinel, I echo what the others have said-- #7.
#6 is fine (and possibly my favorite), but as others have noted it's on the small side. #8 feels more than one order larger in size than the #7-- it's a big (and bulky) jump.
No.7 Carbone (stained), No.6 Olivewood [blade is at an angle, and not that skeeny in real life.]
~ P.
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- Mar 1, 2012
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Hmmm, I think the 7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7,7 is the one! Honestly it's my favorite all around use Opinel. Or if you have the means buy the 6,7 and 8. Try them and gift the ones you don't prefer or keep them as backups.
I have to go along with the majority and say an 8. I would lean towards the Inox blade as it is easier to maintain. The picture is an old one as I now have 22 Opinels, The sizes go from 6 thru 10. The brown sheath is from Opinel and is for an 8. The tan one is from the famous online store with the name of a big river. This will give you an idea of the size difference.
