Couple of firsts for me.

NDallyn

NDallyn

Joined
Jun 22, 2006
Messages
814
Well, I finally pick up a couple of folders that I've been wanting to try out for a while now.

The first is a Case working series medium stockman - very nice fit and finish and razor sharp right out of the box. It beats the various Bucks and Schrades I've had over the years hands down.

The second is an Opinel Classic No. 9. I bought the Opinel on a whim, having never actually seen one in person before. For the $17 CDN it cost, it is a lot of knife and a much better value for the dollar than any of the other folders I have. I actually like it a lot more than my $140+ S30V Kershaw Leek. This one is definitely going to be my preferred EDC from now on. Compared to my other blades, the Opinel actually feels smaller in my pocket, probably because it is so light and doesn't have any square edges to dig into my leg when I'm sitting or walking and the round handle seems to fit my hand perfectly. The only thing that worries me about it is the urge I'm having to re-handle it in a figured hardwood. Definitely the best buy I've made in a long, long time.


Have a good one,

Nathan
 
Hello Nathan,

Both are excellent knives. I grow up on the Stockman pattern and have far more of them in my accumulation/collection than any other species.. Did you purchase them both on the Internet? Or is there a knife store where you live in Canada.

~Anthony
 
NDallyn, sometime you should try an Opinel #8 Garden Knife. It has a stainless steel spearpoint blade in a slender, tapered handle. I really like mine, and it was dirt cheap at eknifeworks.com, only about $7 US + S&H. At least take a look at one on SMKW's website. Enter Opinel in thier search box.
 
CASE quality on the models I have-all post 2004-is impeccable and sharp too. Not had the same from Buck I'm sorry to say.

As for Opinel, it's been around for over a century, and no wonder. Simple,rugged,pleasing to the eye&to use. You can get them in various woods including, olive,oak and African hardwoods.I even have a fillet one in buffalo. The French website www.opinel.fr has, I think,an English lang option too.

Looking forward to picking some more up on my French holiday very soon:thumbup:
 
willgoy said:
CASE quality on the models I have-all post 2004-is impeccable and sharp too.
Click to expand...

Same here. Let's hope, in an era where the likes of Schrade and Camillus couldn't survive, that Case can thrive and survive by listening to customers and continuing to give the people what they want.
 
sunnyd said:
Hello Nathan,

Both are excellent knives. I grow up on the Stockman pattern and have far more of them in my accumulation/collection than any other species.. Did you purchase them both on the Internet? Or is there a knife store where you live in Canada.

~Anthony
Click to expand...

I actually grew up with the stockman pattern as well (being as I'm 25 that might not say much). My grandpa on my mom's side favored small slippies (office guy) while my grandpa on my dad's side always had a single bladed lockback (farmer) so I grew up handling both. There are three knives-only stores here in Calgary (that I know of). The one I purchased these two at was the Knifery (www.theknifery.com). I've actually never bought a knife over the internet before as I like to handle before buying.

The Opinel needed about 10 minutes on the stones (arkansas tri-stone) to get it up to shaving sharp. So far it's been through 3 apples, 2 nectarines, and more plastic and corrugated cardboard than I care to count. It's just starting to lose it's shaving edge, a couple strokes on the white arkansas will fix that though. I carried it in my pocket all day today at work without ever feeling it. I'm a welder by trade so I end up having to get into some really cramped and tight spaces. My main issue with most folders is that they dig into your hip or leg when I'm laying on my side or crawling around in piping. This doesn't seem to be a problem with the Opinel though.

I bought the Case because I needed a smaller knife for "public" use. I prefer a 3.5-4" blade for work, but have gotten some rather uncomfortable looks in atmosphere's that don't seem to necessitate a larger blade (opening mail at the post office, church, etc.) so I figure I'll just carry both. Sometimes I forget that not all people are knife people.


Have a good one,

Nathan
 
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