Lets see opinels - Pic Thread

Well, I wasn't going to increase my Opinel collection, as I'm not a true collector but this is proving to be hard to resist, so today I put in an order for a #6 & a #12 in Carbone, that will fill out my presentation box pretty well and also give me a chance at trying out the Carbone blades on these rascals! Didn't get the saw yet, another day perhaps ;)
G2
 
Gary W. Graley said:
G2

edited to add the Celtic cross engraving they put on for me

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The cross looks terrific! :thumbup:

I'm still waiting on the 2 backordered Opinels I ordered from Knife Center. I'm looking forward to taking them for a spin. Pretty hard to go wrong for around $12 a pop. :D
 
As most of us have discovered, one key to a growing accumulation of traditional knives is training them to spawn.

Opinels have proven to be especially receptive to such training.

IMG_0318.jpg~original


(New No.6, olive wood)

... Add me to those wishing that the more select handles were paired with carbon blades in addition to INOX. I almost opted for the standard beechwood because of this, but the olive wood won out.

IMG_0331.jpg~original


~ P.
 
The Opinel 12 saw I own weighs in at 3.67 ounces on the 200g Scout Pro scale. Pete asked me to let him know what I think of this saw and I figured I would share some initial thoughts with all.

Here is a first run test



Some burl I found down. I have larger and better saws for this work but I just wanted to see how the opinel would handle simple work. Well, the Opinel 12 saw is fairly large for pocket carry IMHO. Yes, it is marvelous if you need a saw in your pocket but not so much as a "just in case I need a saw in my pocket" if that makes sense. I was surprised at how mild the cutting action was when looking at the teeth. Maybe my copy is not sharpened well but I was not impressed. It cuts slow and flimsy. The ring on mine came loose from vibrations quite a few times. Friction folding saw??? I don't think I want one. I suppose I could find a way to make the ring really lock up, but these are out of the box impressions. For the price of this saw, and seeing as how I would not take it along just for fun, you could grab a real Stanley saw for the same price and have so much more performance.

I have used the saw on my Leatherman supertool for so many years. My grandfather gave me this one when I was a kid. This saw has cut so much wood, stag and anything else I needed when I just didn't feel like getting something bigger or better out. For me, the supertool on my belt will probably keep the opinel out of my pocket. The leatherman will quickly out cut the opinel.



I hope this helps any looking into purchase. I am trying to be straightforward and give honest feedback.

Kevin
 
pertinux said:
... Add me to those wishing that the more select handles were paired with carbon blades in addition to INOX. I almost opted for the standard beechwood because of this, but the olive wood won out.

IMG_0331.jpg~original


~ P.
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Beautiful handle though :)
 
Haven't bought any opinels in a while, figured I'd show you guys some better pics of the animal set. They are oak handled #8s, pretty neat.

opinelanimal1.jpg


opinelanimal2.jpg
 
richstag said:
Beautiful handle though :)
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Thanks! That was pretty much the point, this time. I like the beechwood on the carbon editions, just not the shiny orange finish Opinel uses on it. Had I gone carbon again, I know I would have ended up hacking at the handle, trying to change it. This olive wood is perfect as-is (beautiful, dense-grained satin), which brings a certain kind of relief. ;)

~ P.
 
Your welcome, P. Btw, just to save you a few bucks, I tried on my 9 carbon to sand down to white beech and it was a huge failure. After quite some time I just went at it like crazy and the point of my story by the time I found mostly white wood the handle diameter was smaller than a no8. If I want nice looking beech I will order a stainless and carbon and swap.

Btw, you should have seen me try your wood burning technique on the mangled 9. The beech wood on my 9 was the most porous, least dense, corky example I have ever worked with.

Kevin
 
richstag said:
Your welcome, P. Btw, just to save you a few bucks, I tried on my 9 carbon to sand down to white beech and it was a huge failure.
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Actually, I really appreciate this report-- yes, it saves me from trying again with another beechwood.

(I appreciate your honest review of the Opinel saw, as well, but I doubt I ever would have gotten one anyway so your words regarding that model have less immediate bearing.)

If I want nice looking beech I will order a stainless and carbon and swap.
Click to expand...

There might be a potential cottage industry there, though profits will no doubt be small-- especially with little-to-no market for the secondary result, orange-beechwood-handled INOX blades! Ew.

Btw, you should have seen me try your wood burning technique on the mangled 9.
Click to expand...

I disavow any knowledge of that which you speak.

whistle.gif~original


(I'm still fussing with mine, hoping to get the color more consistent-- albeit without the addition of more, let's see, fire. Exhibit B in, "Why I wanted an Opinel whose handle I was not tempted to modify.")

bag.gif~original


The beech wood on my 9 was the most porous, least dense, corky example I have ever worked with.
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Other than that, how'd it turn out?


:p

But honestly, thanks for this input, encouraging me to leave well enough alone... next time.
EvilGrin.gif~original


~ P.
 
The #12 and #6 Carbone arrived today, just opened the package ;) WOW it's pretty large rascal and the 6, seems like a neat little pocket carry, will be putting edges on them both soon and compare to the rest of the gang. I redid the presentation box, it's now FULL, my wife pointed out the one small slot at the top right, I said nah, that's just for the leather fob...

here's a couple quick shots tonight

Listed from the top left
#12 Carbone
#10 Inox
#9 Inox
#8 Ebony
#6 Carbone

Top right
#8 Garden
#8 Slim Ebony
Le Thiers by Chambriard Compact Curly Birch
Le Thiers by Chambriard Compagnon Ebony

The boxes makes for a nice way to store and then also decide which one to carry for the day easier :)
G2
opie_france.jpg


opie_france2.jpg
 
Regarding carbon vs. inox, I've been VERY happy with the performance of my no. 6 inox. No complaints whatsoever.

-- Mark
 
mnblade said:
Regarding carbon vs. inox, I've been VERY happy with the performance of my no. 6 inox. No complaints whatsoever.

-- Mark
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I agree, ie, no performance complaints whatsoever. My Garden Knife's blade is a stout, strong slicer (I love the ergonomics of the handle and blade), and am well-pleased with how nicely the new olive wood No.6 has sharpened right up. I trust it will serve me well.

I just have a non-performance-based preference for carbon steel and the way it develops patina over time.

I've learned through experience and observation that I become more attached to my knives with carbon steel than those with stainless, so keep that in mind when considering new knives. In this most recent instance, olive wood trumped carbon. ;)

~ P.
 
Agree, their Inox sharpens up great, the Carbone was something I thought would be handy to give a whirl and that Olive wood is VERY pretty nice one there!

Just sharpening up the #6 right now, like the size a lot, feels like it'd make a great apple peeler too as well as an edc for work.

And thanks for the info on the saw, was tempted but about done for now anyways!
G2
 
P,

Well let's just say it started pretty well. Mind you the handle was already destroyed in my mind. I suppose the danish oil I soaked it caused the handle to burst into flames and eat it away. Ooops.

Kevin
 
richstag said:
Well let's just say it started pretty well. Mind you the handle was already destroyed in my mind. I suppose the danish oil I soaked it caused the handle to burst into flames and eat it away. Ooops.
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O, my.

:eek:

(Is it okay if I laughed out loud when I read that?!)

:D

~ P.
 
have to do a search for one of those Olive wood ones, this Opinel stuff sure is addictive! :) and might as well check out a #7 of course that means re doing that box again! Probably move the two Chambrairds to their own box, taking a hard look at the Trappeur now too, blade is about the same length as the Compagnon, just wider and of course it is a locking folder and comes with a belt sheath.
G2

edited to add that I went ahead and put an Olive wood #6 on order ;)
 
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Well, I used my carbon 7 with a skinny handle to castrate cows at a ranch the other day. The Opinel really did fantastic at this job. Very easy to open even when my hands were bloody. No snap open or closed (becomes a bit more scary when the cow it kicking you in the nuts, and trying to get away).

These pics were taken before I washed them off.







 
The #6 Olive wood burl arrived today, very very nice knife, here's a couple shots showing the character in the wood

olive.jpg


olive1.jpg


Have a request to be alerted when other burl wood handles show up
G2
 
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