- Joined
- Aug 26, 2005
- Messages
- 4,106
I wouldn,t use a folder not even a locking folder for many years . I considered them wobbly poorly made accidents waiting to happen . Of course this was due to a lack of research on my part as there are many fine locking folders .
Before i discovered Opinels I finally went a higher tech route and bought a Cold Steel min-tanto folder . Aside from the drawback of its size it was the best knife I had owned to date . Robust blade with a strong, non wobbly (scientific term) mechanism . Its size actually was a plus with me as it didn,t bulk out the pocket .
Then a buddy of mine who knew I was a traditionalist turned me onto Opinels . It is not just the quality of the knife . It is the simple effective and functional design . The most complex item on this knife is its locking ring/collar .That locking mechanism is little more than a stamped out example of simple genius . These may be strong words to some . In a time of over thought planned obsolescent wonder crap I am in awe of a simple design that in its simplicity rises to answer a complex question . I know that this riddle has been solved in many ways including a couple that are simple in their own right . I have as yet to see one that even approached the economical price of an Opinel .
The only reason my opinel is not my E>D>C is that to have a blade robust enough to survive as my work knife I must have a knife that is too big to carry comfortably in a pocket . Does anyone know if they make a short knife with a thicker blade ? I have to carry it in my pocket as there is a no carry law where I live . A belt sheath therefor is out and anything concealed outside of a pocket carries with it more of a fine than I want to pay .
Before i discovered Opinels I finally went a higher tech route and bought a Cold Steel min-tanto folder . Aside from the drawback of its size it was the best knife I had owned to date . Robust blade with a strong, non wobbly (scientific term) mechanism . Its size actually was a plus with me as it didn,t bulk out the pocket .
Then a buddy of mine who knew I was a traditionalist turned me onto Opinels . It is not just the quality of the knife . It is the simple effective and functional design . The most complex item on this knife is its locking ring/collar .That locking mechanism is little more than a stamped out example of simple genius . These may be strong words to some . In a time of over thought planned obsolescent wonder crap I am in awe of a simple design that in its simplicity rises to answer a complex question . I know that this riddle has been solved in many ways including a couple that are simple in their own right . I have as yet to see one that even approached the economical price of an Opinel .
The only reason my opinel is not my E>D>C is that to have a blade robust enough to survive as my work knife I must have a knife that is too big to carry comfortably in a pocket . Does anyone know if they make a short knife with a thicker blade ? I have to carry it in my pocket as there is a no carry law where I live . A belt sheath therefor is out and anything concealed outside of a pocket carries with it more of a fine than I want to pay .
