Really thinking of going with a 9. I rarely wish I had a smaller blade with me and if I do I have my leatherman oht with its teeny little blade. My edc knife right now is a benchmade LFK with a 5 3/8 inch blade and I carry it in my pocket no problem..... I also want to try my hand at carving the handle, I'm no good at carving, so a 9 will be more forgiving. Thank you guys for all of the input, I haven't ordered it yet so I will probably change my mind 75,683 more times
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Best Opi to buy?
- Thread starter GunnerJ
- Start date
I've got a 6, a 7, and an 8. The 6 and 7 see the most pocket time. The 8 is a great knife as well, but even though it's still lightweight it feels quite a bit bulkier in the pocket. One good thing about the 6 or 8 vs. the 7 is that it seems like there are more choices for handle materials on the even-numbered patterns. My 6 has Brazilian rosewood, and it's really a beautiful knife for a very affordable price.
lovin the thought of rosewood handle
I love Opinels! They cut so so well thanks to their thin blades and slightly convex geometry. You won't go wrong with the no. 9 as an "everything" knife. Great in the kitchen and edc tasks. However, as much as I love the no. 9, I find it bulky in the pocket, so carry a no. 6 usually
The carbon steel in Opinels is truly great. Easy to get sharp and hold their edge a good amount of time, just dry them asap if you get them wet
- Joined
- Sep 1, 2014
- Messages
- 42
I just joined the Opinel club Friday. Did my internet research, and decided a No. 6 was for me. Stopped in at a local hardware store, and they had a box display. Most of the knives had been sold, but they had one No. 6 left, plus a few 8's and 9's. I picked up the 6, then put it down to try an 8. My wife picked up the 6, put it in her pocket, and said, "I'm taking this one!" The 8 seemed a little large, but I bought it anyway. After carrying the 8 for three days, it doesn't seem too large in the pocket. Either the light weight, or the handle shape with the wide end keep it in a comfortable spot. If I go back and find a 7 in stock, I might go for it, but the 8 seems fine.
Just for completeness, I do have large hands. I'm 71, so I use a knife less hard than I used to, mostly for food prep and box opening. Where we camp, fires are often restricted, so I don't do as much campfire knife work as I used to. Don't know how the Opinel would be for heavy use. My previous carry was a Case mini-copperlock, for about 10 years. Before that a Case trapper. Even though the Opinel 8 is 1/4 inch lager that the Case trapper, it carries easier in my pocket.
Just for completeness, I do have large hands. I'm 71, so I use a knife less hard than I used to, mostly for food prep and box opening. Where we camp, fires are often restricted, so I don't do as much campfire knife work as I used to. Don't know how the Opinel would be for heavy use. My previous carry was a Case mini-copperlock, for about 10 years. Before that a Case trapper. Even though the Opinel 8 is 1/4 inch lager that the Case trapper, it carries easier in my pocket.
Flintlocker, I've found the larger Opinels to be pretty close to indestructible. They are certainly more durable than traditional lockbacks.
The lock will NOT stop the blade from closing.
Hard cutting will eventually dent the inner ring but the camming action of the lock eliminates any play.
I've never been able to produce any lateral play.
I've read very few reports of people breaking a handle in real use. Essentially it's like a spade and I guess if you really really try, you can break the wood if it's weak. I've never broken an 8 or 9 and use mine like a fixed blade.
The lock will NOT stop the blade from closing.
Hard cutting will eventually dent the inner ring but the camming action of the lock eliminates any play.
I've never been able to produce any lateral play.
I've read very few reports of people breaking a handle in real use. Essentially it's like a spade and I guess if you really really try, you can break the wood if it's weak. I've never broken an 8 or 9 and use mine like a fixed blade.
The No. 7 and 8 seem to be the sweet spot for me for blade length and closed size. The No. 6 just felt a tad small (although certainly serviceable), and the No. 9 starts to feel a bit bulky when mixed up with the other things in my pocket (keys & wallet).
- Joined
- May 7, 2011
- Messages
- 3,426
If you have largeish hands but still want something pocketable, I would recommend a #7 or #8.
It's all a matter of taste though, and no other knife offers you so much variety and the opportunity to find your size
Fausto
It's all a matter of taste though, and no other knife offers you so much variety and the opportunity to find your size
Fausto
- Joined
- Jul 2, 2013
- Messages
- 7,037
Here let me confuse things...
The Coghlan's No.9 Camp Knife (they make three sizes 7, 8 and 9) made by Opinel.
Slim style handle with a standard carbon Opi blade...very unique! :thumbup: The slim handle fits my pocket better.
The new ones have a different blade stamp:
Size comparison:
No. 12 on top then the Coghlan's No. 9 Camp followed by various No. 8's
Last edited:
- Joined
- Sep 29, 2002
- Messages
- 2,965
The Garden Opinel No 8 Inox... (top)
Pictured with my Slim Bubinga No 8
Best combination of blade/handle shape and has a lanyard hole. :thumbup:
I agree. Bought it for the blade shape, fell in love with the handle.
Wet