Is the locking mechanism on a classic Opinel folding knife safe? Does it fail or break easily when opening packages? Will Opinels last me awhile?

[ahawkua]

Is the locking mechanism on a classic Opinel folding knife safe? Does it fail or break easily when opening packages? Will Opinels last me awhile?

 

[Bob Denman]

They've been around for quite a while now. If they weren't safe: YouTube would have 1000s of videos about it.
They are as safe a knife; as your handling of them will allow.

 

[Whitedog]

It is safe. Use it for what it was intended for, cutting stuff. It's not a pry bar. A safe knife person figures into that too.

 

[ferider]

Don’t worry about the lock. A pivot sitting in wood, held together by a piece of sheet-metal. What can go wrong ?

Should be OK for boxes though

 

[abcdef]

In on 1.

 

[wouter1967]

What's up with your safety anxiety threads?

 

[unwisefool]

Who has this much time and dedication to troll?

 

[Shorttime]

Mechanically, it is quite safe.

Psychologically, you may feel better with something stronger.

 

[emjay]

Opinels last a very long time if used correctly. The lock is safe. There is literally no way the blade can fold on your fingers when engaged because it's a ring of steel blocking the pathway of the blade. The blades are thin and slice very very well, but are not made to be abused and will break if you're an idiot and pry with one or use it as a screwdriver.

Personally, I don't like them as pocket knives because their bulky handle, while comfortable in use, feels uncomfortable in the pocket. They are better suited to being kept in a bag

 

[herisson]

It has been deemed safe enough for generations. Enough to make Opinel quite the success story, not only in France, but in the US, too. Go figure, some even prefer the friction only (no lock !) version. Use a knife according to its intended use and the limitations inherent to its design, and it's a pretty risk free activity. When I see your anxiety with folders (already three threads !), I can only say : Stay away from axes, billhooks and sickles ! There is some huge potential hurt there if you mess up. Probably, the reasonable advice would be : Stay away from sharp tools !

 

[J85909266]

This seems silly. Opinels been doin' it for a hot minute.

 

[Triton]

Completely unsafe. In fact all knives are completely unsafe. They are all likely to fold on your fingers, randomly chop your head off or attack you while you sleep. Plus they are GMO, cholesterol laden, non-organic and likely to cause extreme ear hair growth... at least in the State of California. The people that have frequented this forum for years are a bold bunch of devil may care risk takers with the nerves of Evel Knievel, the physique of Dwayne Johnson and the brains of Stephen Hawking. They are the only ones qualified to operate such dangerous objects. You obviously are not. Please save yourself and do not purchase anything more dangerous than a plastic butterknife.

 

[J85909266]

Completely unsafe. In fact all knives are completely unsafe. They are all likely to fold on your fingers, randomly chop your head off or attack you while you sleep. Plus they are GMO, cholesterol laden, non-organic and likely to cause extreme ear hair growth... at least in the State of California. The people that have frequented this forum for years are a bold bunch of devil may care risk takers with the nerves of Evel Knievel, the physique of Dwayne Johnson and the brains of Stephen Hawking. They are the only ones qualified to operate such dangerous objects. You obviously are not. Please save yourself and do not purchase anything more dangerous than a plastic butterknife.

Finally.

 

[Boru13]

Is the locking mechanism on a classic Opinel folding knife safe?

Depends on the intelligence of the user.

Does it fail or break easily when opening packages?

See above.

Will Opinels last me awhile?

See above again.

Thread closed.