Opinels that is. Sneaky things.
Several times I've thought I've arrived at my perfect edc pocket knife. I love my peanut. I love my sak cadet and SI. I really love my little pocket fixed blade that Brett sent me that Mike made, a study in simple effective cutting tool..
But...
For some very odd reason, those Opinels keep sneaking into my pocket. Their funky, a little bit of a PITA, with having to be carefull around water and sealing them up via one of many treatments. You have to do this two step thing opening and then twisting the lock vs other pocket knives just pulling the thing open.
But...
Like a bad husband sneaking off to see the secret lover, I keep ending up with my old beat up number 7 in my pocket, or my number 8 spear point. Both with handles that have been sanded down, slightly reshaped, and stained with the aid of Minwax products.
I just got back from a walk in the woods with Pearl the wonder corgi, and I sat on a damp log and whittled some. It gives me a chance to play with my knives while Pearl does her duty chasing squirrels back up trees. Its her mission in life, just ask her.
Sitting there cutting away, some of it on seasoned oak branches that have come down in the storm we had the other day, I can't help but notice that the danged Opinels just cut better than most of my other knives. My old Hen and Rooster from the late 50's early 60's is very good. My sak is very good. My Case peanut is very good. But the Opy just cuts like the dickens. Wood, cardboard, cordage, meat.
Maybe its the round handle, giving a great grip. Sort of like a sodbuster. Maybe its the factory convex blade profile, slicing deep and smooth. Maybe its the funky design that appeals to me, I do have a personal history of liking strange European designs like BMW boxer twins and Vespa motorscooters. Or maybe their blessed by some Alpine mountian god down there in the Savoy region where they make them. Heck, maybe a combination of all of the above.
All I know is they keep ending up in my pocket.
I guess I'll go slice up some cheese for the crackers.
Several times I've thought I've arrived at my perfect edc pocket knife. I love my peanut. I love my sak cadet and SI. I really love my little pocket fixed blade that Brett sent me that Mike made, a study in simple effective cutting tool..
But...
For some very odd reason, those Opinels keep sneaking into my pocket. Their funky, a little bit of a PITA, with having to be carefull around water and sealing them up via one of many treatments. You have to do this two step thing opening and then twisting the lock vs other pocket knives just pulling the thing open.
But...
Like a bad husband sneaking off to see the secret lover, I keep ending up with my old beat up number 7 in my pocket, or my number 8 spear point. Both with handles that have been sanded down, slightly reshaped, and stained with the aid of Minwax products.
I just got back from a walk in the woods with Pearl the wonder corgi, and I sat on a damp log and whittled some. It gives me a chance to play with my knives while Pearl does her duty chasing squirrels back up trees. Its her mission in life, just ask her.
Sitting there cutting away, some of it on seasoned oak branches that have come down in the storm we had the other day, I can't help but notice that the danged Opinels just cut better than most of my other knives. My old Hen and Rooster from the late 50's early 60's is very good. My sak is very good. My Case peanut is very good. But the Opy just cuts like the dickens. Wood, cardboard, cordage, meat.
Maybe its the round handle, giving a great grip. Sort of like a sodbuster. Maybe its the factory convex blade profile, slicing deep and smooth. Maybe its the funky design that appeals to me, I do have a personal history of liking strange European designs like BMW boxer twins and Vespa motorscooters. Or maybe their blessed by some Alpine mountian god down there in the Savoy region where they make them. Heck, maybe a combination of all of the above.
All I know is they keep ending up in my pocket.
I guess I'll go slice up some cheese for the crackers.
The Opinel and the Old Timer feel like trusted companions as opposed to cool gadgets.