Free Okapi And Opinel Contest

cavetech

cavetech

Joined
Nov 25, 2005
Messages
760
This thread is the result of a previous discussion of these knives.

I am giving away one brand new Opinel folding knife and one brand new Okapi folding knife to the winner of this contest. Here are the terms of the contest:

Each contestant must submit on this thread the reason why they want or feel they should have either the Okapi or Opinel knife. There is no limit on the number of contestant posts.

Our esteemed Moderator, Yvsa, will decide who has given the best reason to win each knife. There will be one winner for the Okapi and one winner for the Opinel. That is two winners. No contestant can win both knives.

The contest officially ends this Friday, 2/17/06 at 6:00PM EST. The names of the winners will be announced here after the close of the contest this Friday night. The decision of the judge is final. I will even pay for shipping.

The contest winners must post a picture on this forum of the knife wrapped as received in its packing. If you do not have picture posting priviledges, perhaps Yvsa would agree to post the pictures in the spirit (Great Spirit?) of the contest?

This is a serious offer. Let the contest begin.

Thanks, Steve Poll
Philanthropist
 
A kind and lively offer, Steve. Let the Games begin.
(Unless of course there is BF guideline prohibitive I'm unaware of...Yvsa takes care of a lot of that and he'll weigh in if so.)

For the uniniated, Steve, what is a Okapi knife?



munk
 
I should have the Okapi, because:

1. I posted first (non-mod).

2. I don't have one.



Ad Astra :p
 
Ad Astra said:
I should have the Okapi, because:

1. I posted first (non-mod).

2. I don't have one.



Ad Astra :p
Click to expand...

I don't have "one" either, I've got several. :D

On a serious note, if Steve doesn't like the Opinels, he definitely wouldn't like their ancestors.
Adding a metal collar and twist lock was a new idea, but springless friction folders, with a one piece wooden handle, were in common use among the French at least a hundred years before the Opinel came along. A forged protrusion on the blade's tang formed a blade stop, that fit into a recess carved into the back of the handle. In use, you'd simply rest your thumb on top of the blade stop to hold the blade in the open position, and merrily cut away.
Sounds horribly crude and primitive, but it's fact that these knives were widely carried and used in America in the 18th century by French explorers, trappers, and settlers of "New France". These knives were also extensively traded with Native Americans, and numerous artifacts (the blades, the wooden handles having long since rotted away) have been recovered from Native American sites. Here's a picture of a well done reproduction of a French Jambette;
Photo%20037.JPG

And here's an original 18th century piece, that was discovered in St. Etienne, France, where a large number of these knives were produced;
jambet4.jpg

Had Opinels been around back then, I'm sure we'd be digging up quantities of them at various archeological sites, they are actually better than the folders carried by a large number of pioneers in America back when it was still divided under English, French, and Spanish rule.
To judge these wooden handled, springless folders, as flimsy and unsubtantial, is to misunderstand their traditional uses. They were most commonly used as eating utensils, in food prep, and myriad other cutting tasks where a sharp, handy, blade would get the job done, without needing to be overly robust. Heavier cutting jobs, like butchering large game animals, would be accomplished with a fixed blade knife, and still heavier tasks, like chopping/splitting wood, were the realm of the axe.
The Opinel folder has itself been around for more than a hundred years, and carries on a legacy that goes back considerably further. When you hold one of these humble and inexpensive folders in your hand, you are holding an object that represents history and tradition in the same way as a khukuri, a Bowie knife, et cetera.
Steve, if you don't fully enjoy and appreciate your Opinel, by all means send it to someone who will. You know where to find me. ;)

Sarge
 
That's an interesting knife Sarge. Is that another one of your creations?
 
I would like to win one because I didn't win anything in the "Send a Medical Student to Nepal" contest. ;)

Also just in case I run across a Hogzilla
hogzilla.jpg
 
I would like to win the Opinel.
I could say it would go to my son when he is ready to go for his whittlin' chip.
I could say it could go to Lil Bit's son, as he has his totin' chit.
I could say it would go to Lil Bit, she is a Scout Leader, and has her totin' chit. All noble in a philanthropic sort of groove, I suppose.
The fact is, I want it to throw in the cook kit for tailgates and car camping.



DaddyDett

Edited for proper Scouting terms
 
I live in an back alley in Hong Kong. And I do not own a kerambit ! So an Okapi or Opinel knife is a definite must for me ! :D

Oh seriously I think some other forumite deserve the knife more than me. :)
 
I've sat at this computer so long that my arse hath become fused to the chair and I need the wafer (please pronounce with monty python's holy grail mock french accent like "waffer") thin blade to pry myself loose---help my family needs me!!

:D
 
MauiRob said:
I've sat at this computer so long that my arse hath become fused to the chair and I need the wafer (please pronounce with monty python's holy grail mock french accent like "waffer") thin blade to pry myself loose---help my family needs me!!

:D
Click to expand...

Errr you want a non-stick teflon coated seat pad ? :p
 
I should win these because I have always wanted to check out these fine ethnic blades AND because I will perform the selfless act of going to Robs house and wittling his arse free of his computer chair, ( for the sake of his wonderful family). This I would do for thee Rob!!:p :o
 
I should win these because I have always wanted to check out these fine ethnic blades AND because I will perform the selfless act of going to Robs house and wittling his arse free of his computer chair, ( for the sake of his wonderful family). This I would do for thee Rob!!
Click to expand...

:D LOL! AA should get it just for being THAT brave:eek:
 
i derserve them because i lead a pittyfull existance of a life,and im also afraid that my dogs might be after me again,ive seen them use all forms of weapons but they still cant open a folder,so i would be somewhat safe if they got ahold of one-
 
for Munk: Okapi Knives (see Linky)

Ring Locking: (note steel spine on both)
907ELOCK.jpg

Non-Locking:
1907E.jpg


for yvsa: (see Linky)
opinel non-locking:
111020.jpg

opinel locking:
fermeture00.gif



and they even make fixed blades:
office112.jpg


also come in a wide array of colors, grip shapes, materials, blade shapes, in carbon & ss steel......

i'd deserve them 'cause i'm one of the few who appreciate them & have posted the pics to show everyone what they look like. i've already got them tho & if they are the non-locking ones, i'd rather see someone else get them. let me know so i can buy stock in band-aids, depending on who gets 'em........
 
Reasons I deserve the Opinel??

Well I am one of the "poorest" members of the board...however that is due to my choices in education...:(

I am one of the best looking members of the board...cant take credit for that, simple genetics...GRRR!!

I can make a sweet tooled leather sheath for it to show everyone now that I have updated my membership to gold!! (did it the slow way)...hmm so can Andy and so can you Steve..GRRR!

I watched the movie Haut Tension 8 times in 2 days last weekend...French movie NEEDS a French knife!!! YUP there it IS!!!!! NOW GIMMIE!!!
 
MauiRob said:
I've sat at this computer so long that my arse hath become fused to the chair and I need the wafer (please pronounce with monty python's holy grail mock french accent like "waffer") thin blade to pry myself loose---help my family needs me!!

:D
Click to expand...

Errrr....For this job...or the size of the job, in this case size of butt. And for the purpose of this job, which is to displace butt from chair. I'd use a 15-20inches AK (depends on size of butt). Thick spine one too. We are talking bout displacement aren't we ? :D

p.s. Chiruwa handled AK preferred. Baton it in half way and............lean in and pry !!! :D
 
ArchAngel said:
I should win these because I have always wanted to check out these fine ethnic blades AND because I will perform the selfless act of going to Robs house and wittling his arse free of his computer chair, ( for the sake of his wonderful family). This I would do for thee Rob!!:p :o
Click to expand...


I vote for ArchAngel just to see if Rob will let him that close to his butt with a knife!

:thumbup:
 
I need one of them, Steve. You see, I volunteer at a local animal hospital that diagnoses and treats cutitous. Sadly, there is no cure for this horrible disease. Basically, it is an affliction where an animal is born so very cute that he or she finds nothing but imperfection, and coldness, and ugliness in the world. Nothing is as cute as they are, and an alienated feeling sweeps over them. Depression is also common place. Most don’t make it to 6 months of age by their own hand. My God, man, do you know how heartbreaking it is to see Mr. Whiskers dangling limp at the end of a catnip mouse’s tail…tied neatly in a cut little noose?
Many times, I’m just a step too late. If only I had a small knife to keep on me to cut these pour animals down and get them into counseling. If only I had something small and more pocketeable than a khukuri. If only….
I think pictures will speak of the severity of this disease better than I can.
1-%5B1%5D.9568.jpg

This is mister Fluff-Fluff. Can you see the sad, distant look in his eyes? He's on suicide watch.
DwayneHeadSmall.JPG

Here we have Widdle Jimmy. So much weeping and crying have swollen his eyes. In his haste, he forgot that puppies cannot cry. Can you imagine an ugly world filled so much sadness and you cannot emotionally release it? Very sad indeed.

However, there is hope! Every day we are finding new ways to cope and deal with cutitous:) We don't have a cure yet, but with the right combo of determined love and a sweat pocket knife from another culture, I'm sure we can give these little animals a fighting chance:)!

Just look at Rocky here:
pupkin1.jpg

We were able to mask his cuteness. At least long enough for him to understand that it was merly a part of his whole. By dressing him up as a goofy sheep we were allowing poor Rocky to see the really beautiful part of him...his soul <<sorry almost choked up there for a second>> It's a beautiful story. One of my favorites, and it keeps me going.

If only I had a pocket knife with a good carbon steel blade and handle that could be customized, then I just KNOW I could make a REAL difference in these animals' lives.

Look into your heart, Steve. Are you going to deny Mr. Fluff-Fluff and Widdle Jimmy the chance at a normal life that lucky little Rocky was given? I know you're a good man. I know you'll do the right thing.

Jake
 
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