Favorite: Peasants Knife (e.g. Opinel) or German Hippekniep (a.k.a. Sodbuster)?

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pinnah

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Jul 28, 2011
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What is your favorite style of knife and why: Friction folding peasants knife (includes the Opinel) or the German Hippekniep (aka Sod Buster)?

The criteria for "favorite" is entirely up to you. All I ask beyond telling us which is your favorite is that you explain your own thinking. Pictures of your favorites and stories describing why they're your favorite are strongly encouraged. It's really the point, actually.

This question is a part of a summer "bracket" discussion series. I took nominations for patterns in a related thread but in the end, I selected 8 finalist based on whim and bias. Sort of like the NCAA tournament.

Below is the bracket for the final eight. In this round, we're voting for the 3rd match only. Make your "vote" clear and I'll work to tally the results. Voting on this round will end in about a week. It's summer and I'm not going to be punctual.

QUARTER FINALS - MATCH 1. <--- don't vote: winner decided in bold
Bowie/Ka-Bar fixed blade (particularly with 5"-9" blades)
Serpentine Jack (includes the peanut)

QUARTER FINALS - MATCH 2 <--- don't vote: winner decided in bold
Lockback folding hunter (e.g. Buck 110, GEC #72)
Scout/Camper/Swiss Army Knife (particularly the 3-5 blade versions)

QUARTER FINALS - MATCH 3 <--- don't vote: winner decided in bold
Stockman
Finnish/Swedish Puukko (includes the Mora)

QUARTER FINALS - MATCH 4 <--- vote on this one
Friction folding peasants knife (includes the Opinel)
German Hippekniep (aka Sod Buster)
 
Gotta be the peasant knife. Simple, strong, functional. No worries about weak springs, blade centering, blade play, etc. It's not very pretty, which in this case adds to its charm.
svord.jpg
 
I had a Svord and gave it to my brother-in-law, he loves it. Nice knife, it was just a bit too big for me as I didn't want to carry it on my belt all the time.

I'll vote for the Sodbuster. I never heard of them(!) before joining Blade Forums as all the knife guys I know from our Scout Troop carried Buck, Case or Schrade stockman or trapper patterns. When I was learning about Case "Yeller" CV I took a chance and ordered one from a BF sponsor, probably the cheapest Case I ever bought. Everything about it was good, no gaps, centered blade, good walk n talk, more than I expected after reading others' experiences.

soddiejr.jpg


When the GEC Bullnose came out I was on the fence about the orange handles so I waited and grabbed a black one:

bullnose.jpg


Terrific knife though much more expensive than my Case.

I do like my Opinel, but prefer the feeling of my sodbusters in hand.
 
This is going to be a close one I think as both contenders are similar in application.

My vote is for the sodbuster; I have always liked them. My first custom built to order was a clipped sodbuster by Keith Johnson.

P1030974Medium.jpg


Ed J
 
I like the lock on the Opinel, but I like the way the Sodbuster stays open without a separate fiddly bit.
I'll vote Sodbuster for its easier pocketability.
 
Peasant knife for me. I love my Opinel no. 10 in the kitchen and picnic basket (boy that thin blade gets sharp and slices like whoa) and my Michael Morris friction folder (made from file steel) is in my briefcase (it's beefy, tough as nails, and dead simple).
 
Well, that´s an easy choice for me... Hippekniep (for sure) traditional german pattern. I like the Opinels, but when I have the choice between a Hippekniep or an Opinel - Soddie is my choice... :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
As Ed J noticed, there is very little difference between these two patterns, which makes the choice pretty hard.
Basically, they share many common features: they're simple, single bladed knives, no liners, drop-ish blade shape, not fancy, made to do their job; the only real difference I see if the presence of a backspring, as opposed to friction folding
So, on this one, I have to get back to my roots, and vote for the Opinel and its various friction folding brothers and cousins.

Fausto
:cool:
 
As already stated by most, a tough choice at best...I did a roundup, and figured the numbers would decide for me ;)


IMG_2131.jpg



IMG_2133.jpg



IMG_2134.jpg




I guess it's the lowly Friction Folder for me ;)
 
I don't have the others mentioned but I'm sure they would do just fine. I did try my #7 on some cooked Quail and like most any thing else I've preped it surpased my expectations....
005-8.jpg

sitflyer those are the nicest modified Opinels I've seen yet! I wish they would offer the second one down with oak and carbon!
 
@Peter: You´re right, the oak handles and carbon steel blades would be very nice...

@duane: The modded Opinel with that droppoint blade looks really great! As well as all of your nice Opis :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
My Opinel No.8 follows me around daily. But because most have a locking ring I don't consider them friction folders, and instead more in line with the sod buster design. Would Douk Douks count under the sod buster style as well?

Between Opinels and sod busters my answer is "yes." :D
 
Thanks Peter and Andi, the bottom two are my fruit knives, the top two go with my kitchen knives...they get used regularly!

Duane
 
Nice basic, elementary knives. All will work hard with a little respect!
 
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