I really like it. :)

[sparklygalaxy]

its also great on boots - the leather kind of course.

you can get it almost anywhere. hardware stores, amazon, home improvement stores, wally worlds, etc. any hiking/camping/outdoor outfitter thats worth half a salt shoudl have it on a rack next to the footwear

Okay, cool. Thank you @l1ranger!

 

[PirateSeulb]

I love my Opinel No. 6 and it can be a great EDC/All Purpose Knife so would be suitable to take with you camping and hiking but as a secondary and typical pocket knife. I would have a camp axe and probably a fixed blade at camp to pair with it.

 

[cbach8tw]

@sparkly, just used around the house and work, will be first time taking it camping, camper camping so it I will have to practice with it the kitchen.

 

[22-rimfire]

They're surprisingly high quality though 22-rimfire ! and it actually came as an option ^_^ I see where you are coming from though.

I have nothing against Opinels in general. It is just a preference thing. If I bought one, I know it would just get tossed into the "pile" and never or seldom used. I have my regulars that I use frequently and it's tough to break into the "regular use" category for me these days. The SteelWill Mini Cutjack (M390 and G-10) did precisely that last October and I have carried it just about every day since along with a SAK. Years ago, I would never have even considered buying, let alone carrying and using regularly, a Vic SAK. I considered them kid's knives then. But I traveled out of the country and wanted a knife that was people friendly, useful for opening bottles, and general routine cutting. It was a Tinker and it performed flawlessly until it was stolen in a hotel room. (Should have had it in my pocket.). Spent biggest part of a day looking for a replacement (foreign country) and was so relieved when I finally found one. Price was no object; just had to replace it immediately as I depended on it a lot there.

 

[sparklygalaxy]

I have nothing against Opinels in general. It is just a preference thing. If I bought one, I know it would just get tossed into the "pile" and never or seldom used. I have my regulars that I use frequently and it's tough to break into the "regular use" category for me these days. The SteelWill Mini Cutjack (M390 and G-10) did precisely that last October and I have carried it just about every day since along with a SAK. Years ago, I would never have even considered buying, let alone carrying and using regularly, a Vic SAK. I considered them kid's knives then. But I traveled out of the country and wanted a knife that was people friendly, useful for opening bottles, and general routine cutting. It was a Tinker and it performed flawlessly until it was stolen in a hotel room. (Should have had it in my pocket.). Spent biggest part of a day looking for a replacement (foreign country) and was so relieved when I finally found one. Price was no object; just had to replace it immediately as I depended on it a lot there.

I love Victorinox SAKs. I totally get it.

 

[The Zieg]

And thanks for this Zieg!! I'm seriously into bushcraft hobbies right now so I will probably be asking you for some assistance sometime if that's cool! ^_^

Anytime! I think you have my email from our aborted Spyderco and Suds group trip, but just in case, you can reach through classicalequitation /at/ gmail /dot/ com.

The N°8 is a terrific knife for light bushcraft. And when paired with a saw or hatchet, you can do just about anything. It's especially good for making small traps, foraging, crafting with yucca (the official plant of my farm!), trout fishing, and small game processing. I've seen folks process large game with them, too. If I were not honeymooning with my new aluminum 110, I'd be carrying my well used N°10 today. I keep going back to it no matter how many other knives I get, fixed or folding. Probably the best ten bucks I've ever spent.

Oh, and don't count the N°8 out as a craft knife. I have done some fun work with leather and fabric and plastic with Opinels. If you treat the blade as a "Scandi grind," with almost no secondary bevel, it's like an Xacto knife. That's why mine are so scratched on the flats: I'm getting that edge back when I occasionally have go back to a stone (and since they are hard users, I don't care that I scar them up).

And I overstated my Opinel hoard. I only have eight now. I gave a few Inox N°8s away to students some time ago. I'm really only keen on the Carbone models and I'm always after my students and clients to have a knife on hand (it's an uphill battle with some folks, but you'd think the horsey set would get it!).

Zieg

 

[Alberta Ed]

Melt some floor wax into the blade slot to seal the wood and keep it from swelling and binding the blade.

 

[Horsewright]

On darkening your slip sheath. Warm pure neatsfoot oil (not the compound). I use a dedicated crockpot but I do this a lot. Ya could use a little jar in a pot of water on the stove. Ya want your oil warm but not hot. Brush on a light even coat. Be careful it is very easy to over do and your slip will be soggy, just a light coat. Then set it out in the sun for a bit. The uv rays will darken the leather. Remember to flip your slip over so that each side gets an equal amount of sun.

After oiling, the slip might be a little mottled in color. This is normal and the color will even out over time, this is referred to as the oil setting. Did I mention use a light coat? I would not use Sno Seal for what you are trying to accomplish with your slip.

Oil it up as described and it'll get softer and darker and you will love the patina life will give it.

 

[Gravy]

I love my opinel, the only knife I have that cuts better is my Northfields #73 in cocobolo. The ring lock is also such a neat mechanism too.

Idk if anyone else has said it, but avoid getting it wet. The wood can swell and make opening the knife impossible.

 

[The Zieg]

Melt some floor wax into the blade slot to seal the wood and keep it from swelling and binding the blade.

sparklygalaxy I would avoid this for now. It is a well regarded technique in much of the continent, but it's so dry here, Opinels seldom swell up and bind the blade tang. And once you've treated the joint, it's hard to undo it. The last Opinel I oiled/waxed was stickier and stiffer to open and close than when it was brand new. Again, this is just coming from my experience in this climate. And practice your "Savoyard knock".

No offense intended, A Alberta Ed !

Zieg

 

[Comeuppance]

I've yet to get an opinel, but I've come close.Does the lock eliminate all blade wiggle when fully engaged? Is it relatively easy to open and lock the blade with one hand?

Most of the reason I haven't picked one up is because I generally dislike things to be loose in my pocket unless they are teensy. A pouch does functionally erase that concern, but I'm not much for pouches.

Anyway, since your collection seems to be centered around relatively inexpensive knives with a traditional focus, you might look into Svord's friction folders. They're an interesting departure from your typical knife, held open primarily by holding the knife in your hand.

The one pictured below is their copper-handled 1.875" model, and they have larger ones as well.

 

[Pilsner]

I've yet to get an opinel, but I've come close.Does the lock eliminate all blade wiggle when fully engaged? Is it relatively easy to open and lock the blade with one hand?

Most of the reason I haven't picked one up is because I generally dislike things to be loose in my pocket unless they are teensy. A pouch does functionally erase that concern, but I'm not much for pouches.

Anyway, since your collection seems to be centered around relatively inexpensive knives with a traditional focus, you might look into Svord's friction folders. They're an interesting departure from your typical knife, held open primarily by holding the knife in your hand.

The one pictured below is their copper-handled 1.875" model, and they have larger ones as well.

Nice. I have a wooden handled Svord Peasant, it’s a great slicer and a very pleasing knife. It’s fun tuning the screws to get it ‘just so’. Mine required a bit of TLC to finish the wood properly. Sand paper, oil, took about thirty minutes. I like them a lot.

Technically legal here in the UK, but the London coppers would have that out of my hand faster than you could say, “Teenage knife crime epidemic”.

 

[Yonose]

I named my dog Picasso/Picaso (half dachshund half shih-tzu[the latter dog, according to tradition, is one quarter bunny rabbit])alt spelling as he grew up in bilingual house. I could only bring one female dog when my family split up so he went to another (good) home. Glad you got to get one knife after your temporary resignation, I am not buying for awhile either for financial reasons. But I have enough of them squirreled away to last 3 or 4 lifetimes!

I bought several of those opinels with slips to give as gifts, often to non knife people who ended up loving and using them! I kept only the gigantic one they make, I forgot the #. A few years ago most opinels were under $10. Oh, and has already been said, neetsfoot oil will darken and protect leather, just wipe down after soak to keep pockets from getting oily.

 

[herisson]

Use your knife and its pocket slip without stressing about looks. They will nicely age over years. Here under my change purse (made by my son, on the top right) after some years of use...

It was "pink" in the beginning. And that is the real colour of uncoloured leather. The colour will add with age. Accept it. Embrace it.

 

[NJBillK]

sparklygalaxy if you like the Opinel, check out MAM, Okapi, and Antonini.

 

[Lapedog]

Hey guys! ^_^

So I scored this in the mail yesterday:

Which is neat because I totally forgot I even got it. I heard Opinel was a really great company and I loved the Beechwood handle. It is so light! Amazing, and the Virobloc lock is so simple. I really like it. Plus, my bunny Pablo Picasso approves, which is cool. ^_~ I didn't realize it wasn't beveled. I mean, that's fine. Just an observation. And I can carry the No. 8 legally in Denver! Yusssss :] ♡

Anyways, how are you guys doing this morning? What are your thoughts on Opinel? I hope everybody has a great day!

~ Sparkly

PS: How would I go about softening/darkening the little pouch I got? It is really super stiff and lightly colored in kind of an unnatural strange way. I heard you can oil it; how do I do that/what kind of oil would I use? I only have mineral oil at the moment...

Just carrying and using the leather slip will darken and soften it over time. It just needs a chance to break in.

In todays world of consumerism we’re not used to buying something and having to wait for it to break in. We want it now. Think of it like a baseball glove.

 

[Minnesota Man]

I guess your "food" digested and you're hungry again. I call BS when I see it! Enjoy your new toy! Opinel knives are a stable for a reason!

 

[LastRodeo]

I use Obenaufs leather oil.

 

[bflying]

Pretty sure I have some Sno Seal around here somewhere. Really should try some sometime. But what I've used most is Feibing's Aussie Leather Conditioner. The pics below show how light leather can weather and age differently with use. My iPhone case was the light natural tan when new. With the cream rubbed into it multiple times, it has taken on a dark luster. Mostly because of the heavy handling and receiving oils from my hands. Getting continuously polished with both hands and pockets.

The thin sleeve I made for my Izula (with no scales) is also a light/natural colored leather. Also has received multiple coats, but not handled much. Pretty much just goes from the shelf to back pocket to shelf, unless pulled for use. It does not stay in my hand many hours per day like my phone.

The other Esee knives I added just for fun. Sometimes leather creams can be added to other products. The Isula II and Candiru both had light colored Canvas Micarta scales. I began to notice the canvas take on different shades as they were used and handled. But they could always be scrubbed with soap and water if I wanted to return it to original color. So I decided to try something different. On the Candiru scales, I sanded down the flats to a near polish, then rubbed in some Aussie Conditioner to help it maintain that dark lustrous color. I absolutely love the result. I've thought many times about doing the same to the Izula II, but decided to keep it original because it doesn't get carried as much as the Candiru. Plus it's fun to show the difference in handles that were originally the same.

 

[Reitwagen]

I avoid the use of neatsfoot oil because of the inhumane treatment of neats. It takes dozens of neats for one small bottle of oil, since they only use their feet. I saw it on Youtube, or something like that.