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I just got this in today. A steal at only 12.50. So far it feels good in my hand but I don't know if I like it yet.
What do you guys generally use yours for?
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I just joined the Opinel Club
- Thread starter Bobadilla004
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I just got this in today. A steal at only 12.50. So far it feels good in my hand but I don't know if I like it yet.
What do you guys generally use yours for?
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- Sep 12, 2006
- Messages
- 776
I just picked up a #6 in high carbon, Going to try it out, and use it for everything.
afishhunter
Basic Member
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- Oct 21, 2014
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- 15,114
Welcome to the club!
I use mine (#8 with carbone blade) mainly for food prep. I know it is quite capable of doing more, but that is what I bought it for.
I use mine (#8 with carbone blade) mainly for food prep. I know it is quite capable of doing more, but that is what I bought it for.
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- May 19, 2007
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- 7,745
food prep mostly, but they also make a pretty good whittler.
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- Aug 4, 2013
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Nice, I use it mainly for food prep outdoors, like in a picnic situation. A bottle of wine, some cheese, salami and your Opinel and your little lady will melt. Post a similar thread in the traditional's forum and I bet you will get a lot of answers.
The knife is a slicer, and will do most everything you want, its also good for this,
Just got one of these in stainless a #8
The knife is a slicer, and will do most everything you want, its also good for this,
Just got one of these in stainless a #8
Henry Beige
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 3,772
Picnics. Cutting fuel hose. Cutting cheese. Stripping wire. Whittling. Cutting zip ties. Opening packages. Cutting the ends off hand grips. Scraping gaskets. Etc., etc., etc. You can buy them a carton at a time for Christmas stocking stuffers.
I have always carried them with me on motorcycle trips. I used to keep one stashed on every bike I toured on. That's why I had a bunch. Now I am down to three.
My grandson got my old No.7 as his first knife. However, at 6yo, he didn't grasp the concept of caring for a carbon steel blade, so I recently ordered him a stainless No. 6 to replace it. Ordered myself a couple more. I think the garden knife is stainless; if so it will be my first of that flavor.
I have always carried them with me on motorcycle trips. I used to keep one stashed on every bike I toured on. That's why I had a bunch. Now I am down to three.
My grandson got my old No.7 as his first knife. However, at 6yo, he didn't grasp the concept of caring for a carbon steel blade, so I recently ordered him a stainless No. 6 to replace it. Ordered myself a couple more. I think the garden knife is stainless; if so it will be my first of that flavor.
Opinel's are a weird knife. They cut like the dickins and have some distant quirks. But they make a great project knife to work on, and they need some work to make them workable. The saw they make cuts wood like a beaver on crack. Good bushcraft tools.
Sand down the handles and fold the sandpaper over and sand the inside of the blade slot and pivot area. Then finish by either soaking the whole knife in warmed up mineral oil, or seal with Minwax stain and sealer color of choice.
Another thing you can do is, smear some Johnson's floor wax or Vaseline jelly in the blade pivot area and heat with the better halafs blow drier. When all the stuff melts into the wood, repeat. Then let it sit for a day and you'll have a pretty water resistant Opinel. I've got mine to stay stable with 30 minutes of total submergence.
The twist lock needs some attention. Pop it off and little bit a time, file the slanted part so the lock slides further around the bolster for a more secure lockup. I've done mine so the locking ring goes almost 180 degrees around. Less tendency to work loose while whittling.
Sand down the handles and fold the sandpaper over and sand the inside of the blade slot and pivot area. Then finish by either soaking the whole knife in warmed up mineral oil, or seal with Minwax stain and sealer color of choice.
Another thing you can do is, smear some Johnson's floor wax or Vaseline jelly in the blade pivot area and heat with the better halafs blow drier. When all the stuff melts into the wood, repeat. Then let it sit for a day and you'll have a pretty water resistant Opinel. I've got mine to stay stable with 30 minutes of total submergence.
The twist lock needs some attention. Pop it off and little bit a time, file the slanted part so the lock slides further around the bolster for a more secure lockup. I've done mine so the locking ring goes almost 180 degrees around. Less tendency to work loose while whittling.
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- Feb 23, 2000
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- 1,363
I talked to an old boy a few years ago and he said he had gutted and skinned out all the deer he had ever shot with one Opinel. I saw the knife and it was well worn but still serviceable. He used to shoot five or six every year and was in his 70's. That's a lot of deer.
They are good because they cut well. Look after them and maintain them and they can keep on cutting.
They are good because they cut well. Look after them and maintain them and they can keep on cutting.
My 6 is kinda small and my 8 is a bit big, I may just have to get a 7 too !!It's a good club to be a part of. Easy on wallet. Easy on the eyes.
Oddly enough I have my No. 7 in my pocket today.
Sent by P F M !
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welcome to the time travelers club!!! You have a small piece of history in your hand.. I got the No. 10 carbon and fall in love with the brand right away.... I use the No.10 for food prep, is an amazing slicer and is sharp as a laser.... Also I have the No.8 Garden Knife, the blade is 12c27 Sandvik Stainless steel, the most sharp knife I own... I use in my EDC rotation...
N0.8 Garden Knife
No.10 Carbon Steel
N0.8 Garden Knife
No.10 Carbon Steel
Opinels are OK out of the box. But as Carl has noted, they're demanding knives that require some amount of user involvement to become great knives. Carl hit the important basics: reshape/refinish the handle, tune up the lock ring and joint, water-proof the joint.
The #10 is my preferred backpacking knife. Very sturdy and capable and easier to carry than a fixed blade.
The #9 is my preferred EDC knife. Big enough to fit my big hands but still friendly enough to get used in public in a suburban environment.
The #8 is often given as gifts. A bit small for my taste.
Here they are, top to bottom.
Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
The #10 is my preferred backpacking knife. Very sturdy and capable and easier to carry than a fixed blade.
The #9 is my preferred EDC knife. Big enough to fit my big hands but still friendly enough to get used in public in a suburban environment.
The #8 is often given as gifts. A bit small for my taste.
Here they are, top to bottom.
Opinel by Pinnah, on FlickrI've got a #6 in stainless and a#4 in carbon. They both take and hold a fine edge. They are, as noted, fantastic slicers! If you want an easy way to polish your stainless blade, shove it in and draw it back out of white packing foam a few times. It's like magic!
Joe
Joe