I would like opinions on Opinel knives

bigbcustom

bigbcustom

Joined
Dec 20, 2005
Messages
1,523
How do they perform? Edge holding ability? Fit and finish? Overall Quality? Ease of use? Strength? I am familiar with Queen, Case, Victorinox, Spyderco, and Benchmade folders....I know that Opinels are much less expensive than the aforementioned knives, but I would like them contrasted and compared to something with which I am familiar. Thank you all in advance for your time.
 
Opinel can take a lot.

For me, Opinel simply is the only knive that cheap that worth buying.

Always have one to cut food. So my EDC doesn't get dirty and Opinels are Sheeple friendly.

BUT their Steainless Steel is cheap, get a Carbon Steel one.

Mine is 4" blade and I paid 20$ CAN for it.

EDIT: The reason they are so cheap is their simplicity. Forget the one hand opening, the lock is a ring you twist. Still worth it.
 
The edge holding ability of the carbon steel Opinels is great. Fit and finish are OK for the price but not comparable to Spyderco or Benchmade standard.

Nevertheless I would rate the overall quality as high because they are very efficient cutting tools - the task they were designed for. They are strong enough for every cutting task but I wouldn't attempt prying with one. IMO the weakest point of the knife is its traditional wooden handle which soaks up fluids easily. Applying a little wax may prevent that.

The lock ring is more laborious to use than a linerlock or backlock. Yet since they aren't intended for self defense fast deployment of the blade isn't necessary.

I have found that an Opinel and a Mora 2000 can handle all of my day-to-day tasks though I must admit that for EDC I carry other knives.
 
I have a carbon #6 and a stainless #6. It is the smallest locking Opinel. I paid 7 or 8 dollars for it. I keep the stainless in my lunchbag and use the carbon around the house. They are good knives.
 
I love the old-schoolness of them. They are charming old-fashioned pocket knives, good for fishing, camping, woodworking, and so on. They give me a warm feeling.

The other cheap knives I consider worth having are the Ontario/Old Hickory kitchen and field knives, which many outdoorsmen and old timers have used as camp knives and skinners since forever.

I'd like to spraypaint an Old Hickory butcher knife or Opinel folder black and call it "tactical."
 
I got #6 and #8 in a set from Lee Valley for around $24 CDN. Pretty hard to beat at that price:) No, they are not glorious or sophisticated, but for simple cutting tasks, they are pretty hard to beat.

- gord
 
I use a nr 6 carbon version every day. Verry sharp and good edge holding (carbon version). I think that they are simply the best bang for the buck.
 
I do not understand how knives of that quality are sold for that price.
:thumbup:
 
I own one,but never carry it. It has good steel. A friend of mine even carved out a little thumb notch in the handle, so it can be opened one handed!
 
There handles can swell if you get them wet.For whittling green wood there excellent.I found i had to add a secondry cevel or convex the edge a little other wise the edge would roll pretty much straight away.opinels are very light, you can put them your pockets and notice them(with the smaller models 7 8 anyway).
 
I have an old carbon steel Opinel No. 8 that I carry everyday. The blade is thin and is the absolute sharpest knife I own. Terribly sharp. If youre looking for fast deployment, forget about it. It has the ol' thumb nick, and the lock is a twisting collar. I personally dont care about that. It's a workhorse of a knife that I can use for just about anything, and not sing the blues if it gets damaged or lost.

Like an above poster said....It's amazing that knives of that quality are so cheap. They are wonderful knives. :thumbup:
 
Every one should have an Opinel or two.
You want quicker opening?? Cut a hole in the wood by the nail nick.
The handles are too round?? sand them down, make them square.
The handles are too slick?? checker them, cut some groves into them, carve your intials in it, have fun.
Need a small knife for a mini-bug out bag, get a #2. Want something bigger?? get a #7, something bigger?? Well you get the idea.
Want one with a clip?? drill some holes, add a clip.
Need a neck knife??
Need a gift for a youngester- Opinel.
:)




Blades
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top