Getting an opinel no. 8 for my birthday. what should I expect?

W

Waldamir

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Jun 30, 2012
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Just curious what you guys thought of these little blades. I'm getting the carbon blade by the way just because I prefer carbon blades. Also what are some cool mods I can do to it?
 
I had a lot of fun playing around with different patina patters with my #6

With a little bit of mustard



And then a little more haha

 
You'll find the factory edge a bit lackluster, more than likely. With that being said it can be reprofiled to your liking easily, they are among some the of the easiest sharpening knives I've owned. The blades are pretty thin, but more than enough for most reasonable tasks, just don't pry with it or use it as a screwdriver, and it should work great. All in all I consider them to be excellent for their intended purpose, to cut things, nothing more, nothing less. I've taken a liking to the Inox, however the patina the Carbon models develop is very cool.
 
What you are going to get is a terrific using knife that will cut most anything you have to cut in the real world. There's a reason they have been popular since 1890, and the basic form has been used for hundreds of years. All Joseph Opinel did was start mass producing a form of knife that had been made since the 1600's when they were called penny knives. In it's purist form, the friction folder has been around since Roman times. When Joseph started his company in 1890, the Opinel was a basic friction folder, with the locking ring not being added until 1955.

The thin bade of the Opinel is very easy to sharpen up shaving sharp in just a few minutes in the field, using anything from a smooth rock to the bottom of a coffee mug. Give the Opinel a shot, and you'll come to love it. I got my first one in 1982, and I've been hooked ever since. They carry very well in a pocket because of the insane light weight, and they are far more sturdy than people give them credit for.
 
"far more sturdy than people give them credit for". Couldn't agree more. Is it a knife I would bet my life on? Not a year ago but as to date it is the only knife that has truley saved a life. I have a few knives and I am usually more than what some people would call prepared when I go on camping/canoe/fishing/hunting trips with multiples of fire starters and knives. Long story short went for a little evening fish with my friend who was taking me out at his cabin- not backwoods by any means and the least prepared and most naive I have ever been. Caught in a storm and boat sunk, swam for 4-5hours(with life jackets, another point-wear them! I would be dead if I wasn't) while pulling my friend who was in a severe car accident 5 months prior and didn't have the cardio/stamina to swim more then 20 min. Made it to an island and thought the worst was over till I realized my friend was convulsing uncontrollably and showing signs of hypothermia. I was okay from swimming but my friend had been floating on his back in a cool lake for hours and now with the wind and storm...it was getting bad. My opinel was the only thing left in my pocket by the time we made it to the island. It was more than capable of cutting enough for a shelter and insulation for bedding. Enough to hold us till the coast guard rescued us in the early morning. Didn't see what shape the blade was in till the light of the next day....I have left all the rust and wear on this one.
It is my favourite knife for good reason and I think alot of these knives.
 
Some love 'em, some hate 'em. I'm firmly in the former camp. As far as mods go, nearly anything is possible. Take a peak at this thread :thumbup:: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/958099-Just-finished-my-first-modded-Opinel-show-us-yours!?highlight=opinel+mods

If you decide you really dig the knife once you have it, you can try out an "ebauche" or unfinished handle model for some even cooler modding. I just got one in recently (carbon blade/cherry handle), but I haven't decided what to do with it yet. Here are a couple of really nice finished ones by another forum member, though: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/909649-Finished-Opinel-Ebauche-s?highlight=ebauche
 
I love them and hate them but mostly love only hate them cause I can get that blade razor sharp and I usually end up cutting myself bad enough that I need to break out the super glue. :D
 
refinish the handle, polish the blade, add serrations, add color to the trademark or just scribe your initials skys the limit its yours
 
I like collecting opinels. Wanna start personalizing them though, carving, wood burning or something.

You won't be disappointed, they're great knives.
 
Very very high bang for the buck!

I only have a little skinny handled #7. I plan on ordering more in different sizes, I like this one so much.

It has been riding pocket duty with a few nice production slip joints (GEC), and a custom slipjoint.

This 12 dollar knife is entertaining enough, and slices so good, that it frequently kicks out other traditional folders costing 10X as much (or more!).
 
Expect to be happily cutting everything from fruit to rope to ___. Love my Opinel. If you have a woodburner you can just go crazy on the handle.
 
One of my favorite knives for sure.

I did the regular forced patina, then changed my mind and polished the whole thing and rounded the spine.

Like others have said, the thing was dull when I got it. Now I can break a hair just dragging it lightly across the blade.

Only thing that I wish is that they'd make some wood carving knives. They'd be fantastic no doubt.

Not a very good pic, but it's the best I have on me.

IMAG0752_zps7f576322.jpg
 
I'm getting really excited about this knife and looking at these mods isn't helping :D. I don't think I can wait till the 28th :S
 
Getting an opinel no. 8 for my birthday. what should I expect?
Click to expand...

Expect the wood to get wet, swell, and then not be able to open the damn thing :D

I love 'em by the way. Read up on how to avoid the swelling thing, plan on caring for it well, and you'll be happy. They're super neat.
 
I got my very first No. 8 with ebony handle about a week ago. Inox blade is really nice. In fact the knife was just too nice to EDC! Ha! Yesterday, I ordered a carbon No. 8 and a No. 8 with Bubinga scales. I decided to get both engraved with my name and put my initials on the blade. I definitely will be carrying these around in the blade sheath I ordered to accompany them. I ordered directly from their USA website. I should be getting them by the end of the week.

If you really want to treat yourself for your birthday, get a Opinel with premium wood scales and Inox blade. Maybe even engrave it however you may want. I hope you have a awesome birthday.
 
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They're good knives. I've had a few in different sizes and I think the one you're getting is the best size to carry and use. They're fun to play around with and mod.

Just to give you a few ideas...
- I get some sand paper and make a bigger gap in the blade channel so when the knife gets wet and swells it won't be as tight.
- I use a Dremel with the sanding cylinder and sand a notch in the handle by the nail nick so it's easy to pinch open the blade.
- I use a thin rope or wick and drown it in mineral oil and put it inside the knife so the blade won't whack off the wood when I close it and to keep oil on the edge.
 
best be prepared to expect nothing but wonderful surprises along the way.
an opinel is one of those things upon which fondness grows with every single use...
 
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