Hats off................to Opinel

[Chui]

I own but one humble, yet perfectly formed, No8 Opinel.

It is a knife of simplicity and beauty - and at the same time, function.

We have all heard stories about the amazing production modernisation and investment of the iconic Victorinox brand, and to a lesser extent the ways that Laguiole and Thiers have brought mechanisation on in the last few decades.

However, I was pleased to see this article in a magazine this morning - well done, Opinel - hats off to you guys....!!

Though obviously with great character, it does make me wonder from time to time what could have become of our own Sheffield production on the world stage if they'd got their act together and possibly pooled resources to look to the horizons...

 

[mitch13]

Nice
Chui only the 1 You can work on that my friend.
They are great all rounders.

 

[Will Power]

I concur, really versatile knives that are a genius of simplicity & effectiveness. I like the smaller sizes, No.s 6 or 7, particularly useful around the garden as they cannot shut on your hand if cutting plastics or springy twigs, won't break your nail and if stainless maintenance free. Also if you lose it then another can be obtained, no fuss. Exceptional range of blades and a variety of handles, but the ethos is the same since its inception: low cost does not have to be low quality. As for English cutlery they appeared to have been very complacent&arrogant- living off glory days of decades before - certainly not always thinking that low cost is not low quality. All those scattered workshops or tiny premises contrast with the vigour and foresight of Opinel. No wonder the knife is a style icon as well as a functional tool, the V&A Museum recognized it as one of the best designed items.

Versatility certainly and dependability too. Here a Horn handled fillet Opinel.

 

[Jack Black]

Though obviously with great character, it does make me wonder from time to time what could have become of our own Sheffield production on the world stage if they'd got their act together and possibly pooled resources to look to the horizons...

It's interesting that you should say that Paul. For, at least, the latter half of the 20th century, most of the Sheffield manufacturers lacked innovation, and failed to market their products. By contrast, Opinel were very good at marketing, and in the 1970's, and after, even in Sheffield, their cheaply-made knives could be seen in outdoor shops, gun shops, and hardware shops that didn't stock Sheffield-made knives, which cost more to produce, and were of better quality I think, but would have sold for around the same price, or even less. They offered an image of continental picnicking, with baguettes and brie, of the humble French peasant with his trusted knife, the same sort of marketing that sold millions of gallons of overpriced ("reassuringly expensive") Stella Artois, and Beaujolais Nouveau. How could cloth-cap Sheffield, with its clueless factory owners, and managers, compete with that? Opinel had a better distribution system, and they undoubtedly offered higher profit margins to the retailers. Nonetheless, I think the folks who bought Opinel knives, in England, during that period, would have got far better value for money, and a far better knife, buying from Sheffield.

 

[Chui]

It's interesting that you should say that Paul. For, at least, the latter half of the 20th century, most of the Sheffield manufacturers lacked innovation, and failed to market their products. By contrast, Opinel were very good at marketing, and in the 1970's, and after, even in Sheffield, their cheaply-made knives could be seen in outdoor shops, gun shops, and hardware shops that didn't stock Sheffield-made knives, which cost more to produce, and were of better quality I think, but would have sold for around the same price, or even less. They offered an image of continental picnicking, with baguettes and brie, of the humble French peasant with his trusted knife, the same sort of marketing that sold millions of gallons of overpriced ("reassuringly expensive") Stella Artois, and Beaujolais Nouveau. How could cloth-cap Sheffield, with its clueless factory owners, and managers, compete with that? Opinel had a better distribution system, and they undoubtedly offered higher profit margins to the retailers. Nonetheless, I think the folks who bought Opinel knives, in England, during that period, would have got far better value for money, and a far better knife, buying from Sheffield.

- good points, Jack

 

[joeradza]

Review of no. 8 Opinel. Blade looks like it's been used in a sandy garden. Lock works perfectly. Wooden handle looks like hell. Overall decision to use everyday, I'd give it a 10. Oh, btw that's my no. 8 from home that I treat like a $15 beater. Used every day in the kitchen and at the dinner table. Water be damned. Use, wash and dry. Rinse, repeat and 10 years later functionally as good as new.

 

[screened porch]

an image of continental picnicking, with baguettes and brie, of the humble French peasant with his trusted knife,

Sturdy peasant cosmopolitan aesthete, that's me!

And nose-to-the-grindstone bon vivant.

That vinestock corkscrew looks like that because it was stored out in the rain at Sunset Junque on Blue Star Highway for a long time.

 

[Prester John]

I own but one humble, yet perfectly formed, No8 Opinel.

It is a knife of simplicity and beauty - and at the same time, function.

We have all heard stories about the amazing production modernisation and investment of the iconic Victorinox brand, and to a lesser extent the ways that Laguiole and Thiers have brought mechanisation on in the last few decades.

However, I was pleased to see this article in a magazine this morning - well done, Opinel - hats off to you guys....!!

Though obviously with great character, it does make me wonder from time to time what could have become of our own Sheffield production on the world stage if they'd got their act together and possibly pooled resources to look to the horizons...

View attachment 2164411

Awesome knife. I probably have 5 or 6 dozen knives, including a few (for me!) expensive ones, but the three that are always in my pocket or on my nightstand are my Case trapper, Victorinox Spartan, and Opinel No. 8.

 

[sf fanatic]

They are indeed useful and sturdy knives. This #8 has been to the top of the Continental Divide in Wyoming and is going on 45 years old.
View attachment 2164617

 

[Modoc ED]

 

[kamagong]

The Opinel is a marvel, but it is a very different knife from the spring knives that Sheffield produced. They're not really comparable.

A better study would be the success of Thiers and Laguiole in keeping their cutlery traditions alive. Both factory and artisanal knives are available. Some of richness and variety from years past has been lost, but at least you can still get a brand new, well-made French knife without much trouble.

 

[Chui]

The Opinel is a marvel, but it is a very different knife from the spring knives that Sheffield produced. They're not really comparable.

A better study would be the success of Thiers and Laguiole in keeping their cutlery traditions alive. Both factory and artisanal knives are available. Some of richness and variety from years past has been lost, but at least you can still get a brand new, well-made French knife without much trouble.

Yes, understood Wasn’t comparing the knives, was simply to do with investment and modernisation making a difference

 

[jmh33]

 

[kamagong]

Yes, understood Wasn’t comparing the knives, was simply to do with investment and modernisation making a difference

Some knife designs like the Opinel and the various SAK models lend themselves readily to modernization and mechanization. Spring knives on the other hand -- with their use of bolsters, pinned construction, and natural materials -- require more handwork from skilled artisans.

 

[TheIncredibleHoke]

Review of no. 8 Opinel. Blade looks like it's been used in a sandy garden. Lock works perfectly. Wooden handle looks like hell. Overall decision to use everyday, I'd give it a 10. Oh, btw that's my no. 8 from home that I treat like a $15 beater. Used every day in the kitchen and at the dinner table. Water be damned. Use, wash and dry. Rinse, repeat and 10 years later functionally as good as new. View attachment 2164489

All great points. I use my No.8 as our bar knife. It gets abused, splashed, ran under water, and wiped. I never give it a second thought, but it is always right there ready for more.

 

[alaskantinbender]

Terrific knives. Inexpensive, fun to modify, and great for gifts.
This number 9 Modified about a year ago is my go-to steak knife.
The INOX is a little soft but easy to keep clean for kitchen duty.

 

[Tyson A Wright]

My Inox No. 8 was my EDC for a long stretch. I've said this before on here, but I'll say it again: whenever I carry the Opinel I think to myself, "I could've stopped here, and have 'pocket knife' be a solved problem."

It's ergonomic and has a good sized blade, but carries easy because it's light and all curves. The lock is super-solid, but you don't even have to use it when cutting and it still works great. With the lock on, I know 100% that it will never open in my pocket. And if I ever lose it or break, I can replace it same day for less than $20. Marvelous piece of design.

Here's my No. 8 with my wife's brand new No. 10 Pruning knife (And some roses she cut with it today):

 

[Steven65]

Paul my No.8 is a carnivore........

 

[Will Power]

Let's remember that the Opinel's French cousin the Douk-Douk is another masterpiece of simplicity and utility Plus, that's a spring knife.

You can make an automotive analogy here - probably lost on American members - Citroen is a legendary French car marque and very influential in auto design: Its Traction Avant 1934-57 and DS/ID 1955-75 models were technological innovators, masterpieces of beauty and complexity contrast this to its 2CV Tin Snail 1947-90 a cheap, clever, rugged little car that was fwd and answered the needs of ordinary people for practical, rugged transport across Continental Europe. The Traction & DS are the artisan Laguioles & other patterns from France, the 2CV the Opinels & Doug-Douks two very different sides of the national coin and both worthy of admiration - Gallic genius

 

[Ace Rimmer]

You can make an automotive analogy here - probably lost on American members - Citroen is a legendary French car marque and very influential in auto design:

Not all of us ... I've always been astonished by the advanced features and design of the ID and DS series, and the little Deux Chevaux is a brilliant implementation of a simple yet versatile concept.