Educate me on Opinel..

J

Jake Bauer

Joined
Sep 19, 2007
Messages
4,293
These are pretty popular around here.. Looking into getting one myself.

1. Carbon steel or Stainless?

2. Which model do yall think is the best or most popular?

3. Why are they so popular?

Thanks for the info.
 
cheap, good quality, and carbon steel. :thumbup: the model numbers on Opinels really only signify their size. That being said I find that a number 9 (3.5 inch blade) suits me well. I personally prefer an Alox Victorinox like the cadet over Opinel for stainless because they are low price, high quality and easier to carry (much slimmer). My primary attraction to opinel is the carbon steel, but their stainless is fine as well if that is your preference.
 
I gave my father a number 8 in carbon steel a few years ago. Just today I saw him use it and he was saying how much he likes it, except he would prefer if it would lock.

If you get one, get the carbon. It is REALLY sharp, and stays sharp.

Overall good little knife for the money.
 
Emanuel said:
I gave my father a number 8 in carbon steel a few years ago. Just today I saw him use it and he was saying how much he likes it, except he would prefer if it would lock.
Click to expand...

for the New Year -- show him how the lock works! :D

(Shana tova!)
 
Opinels are inexpensive, lightweight, widely accepted even in areas not otherwise knife-friendly, and they are good knivs. They cut well, sharpen easily, and are reasonably durable.

There is also a tradition of carving the handle to a personally more comfortable shape, engraving symbols on them, and painting them different colors.

I think the #8 in carbon steel is the classic Opinel, but the smaller #6 makes a nice gentleman's knife, and the #10 is a good kitchen or bread knife.
 
1) Carbon naturally, as i tend to really believe that it holds and cuts better.
but, Stainless Steel would make a much better choice for the occasional knife user.
2) no matter which model is preffered, seek only the locking "Virobloc double safety ring" models.
www.opinel.com/menu-Carbon_steel-030101010000.html
it's no joke getting accidently sliced by a razor thin blade!
and whist it won't make the knife any more effective, i believe it's wooden handle is something that you're going to be looking at for as long as it can possibly last
i therefore tend to prefer darker woods like Walnut and Rosewood.
www.opinel.com/menu-Classic_woods-030101050000.html
3) Opinel has been around for the longest time, perhaps mainly because it actually works and is generally perceived as a product which offers true value for money.
it's may not be the perfect folder nor is it the cheapest knife ever made, but there's something good and honest about it much like a SAK or Mora.
and now that you're finally on your way to owning a piece of France's best kept cutlery secret; it's also time that you also get to learn a few other inner circle secrets... welcome to the family!
www.opinel-musee.com/uk/il4-knife_p34-smooth-functioning.aspx
 
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3) They are one of the few companies who will make a pocket knife's edge thin, they cut absolutely amazing, they're like 1mm thick and full flat ground (or convex, I'm not sure).
 
They are light knives with thin, sharp and locking blades and they are very cheap. My favourite is the number 8, those knives are in my kitchen and in my camping equipment. They are not super high quality or heavy duty knives, but they are simple and good knives for many cutting tasks.
 
They have incredible value. They sell sometimes even cheaper than no-name chinese brands and have better quality. I think best size generally is found between numbers #6-#10 those are most popular models.
 
Not all Opinels are cheap and rustic looking - have a look at the blond horn model. I personally prefer their spear point #8 over the standard yatagan shape but they're all great cutters.

I have a much loved #8 in carbon that's over 40 yrs old. Needs a bit of TLC to tighten up the lockup but the blade is still in excellent shape.
 
July09.07011Medium.jpg

One of these costs more than the others. :p
 
For me the the n°8 in carbon steel is the best.
I go with it to mushroom, in the garden, for diy it is a cheap multipurpose knife. In France, we have several wood for the handle and some people like to customised it.
The blade lock by ring is simple and robust.
In France, every region have a popular knife (The Thiers, Laguiole, Issingeaux...) but Opinel is popular everywhere. It is cheap so if you break one (it is robust) there is no problem to buy a new one.
It is easy to sharp and it have a good keap of the edge.
Exemple of customisation:

opib110.jpg


dsc2142g.jpg
 
Dislikes
: I have a #6 and its bulky. Not good for jeans.
: I stuck it into a tree and now have a bent tip.


Likes
:carbon steel.
:flat grind
:Thin blade, sharp , cuts like mad
:inexpensive
:Surprisingly well made. No blade play at all.

I dont edc mine because of its bulkiness. When working in the yard I carry it. That little knife cuts down saplings great.
 
Sucks that only models in Finland currently that has carbon steel are no 3 and no 12, the 6 and 8 are stainless. Stainless aren't bad... Somehow I still would like to have Carbon Steel Opinel 7 or 8...
 
Great knives! The only downside is if gets wet & the wood swells the blade shut you are without a knife. It happened to me with pocket carry in humid sweaty conditions in summer.
 
Opinels are great. I have a #12 in carbon steel that I use for yard work. I've beat the hell out of it and it keeps coming back for more.
 
I've got one carbon and one stainless No. 8. Great knives! They have thin convex blades and cut beautifully. I can't tell the difference between the carbon and stainless on edge holding.
 
Wow thanks a lot guys. I think I'll be getting a no. 8, or 9. Most likely the 9. Carbon steel, locking blade ring.. gotcha :).

Cool thing about these, if you like one, you can get the rest of them for not so much.
 
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