new Outdoor Opinel

scruffuk said:
Really? Well, seen as though you are struggling to make the leap from exposing more of the blade (arguably the hardest part of one handed opening on such a knife) so that you have a larger surface upon which to apply thumb pressure for full opening....
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Struggling to make the leap? Not me. I know how to open my Opi one handed, no problem (as I wrote above). I was simply pointing out that the earlier video does not show one-hand opening.
 
I think these are really neat. They look ideal for boating and water sports. I'm in the marine industry, and so I have had a lot of experience with what works in that arena, and these look very useful. To make them appeal to the market here in the states, maybe add a notch in the handle to facilitate one-handed opening. Yes, I know it "can" be done, but the average american wants to be able to "flick" their knife open with a thumb. In addition, a sheepsfoot blade with full serrations may be another variation that would be well-received.
Just my two cents... :)
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
I wish Cognet would respond to emails. A distributor of mine has been trying to contact them without any luck.
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My prayers and cuss words have been heard! Said distributor magically just got a handful of models in! Guess what's on the way to me now... :D
 
I'm not comparing these Opinel's with classic ones of course.
I've brought an Opinel outdoors many times, and there's nothing bad if they try to get into that sort of market too.
I like the handle. It looks good. It's "loud" but that's how it should be.
Apparently, it's also a tad thicker (2,5mm vs the 2mm of the classic version, or so I've read) which isn't bad for an outdoor oriented knife.
I prefer the blade shape on the classic versions too.
The whistle...honestly, I don't care if it's there or not. I'd rather leave it out (don't want to blow into a whistle that's dirty with mud.
The hole...it could be of some help, not for the one hand opening, but for opening it with gloves or dirty hands and so on. I would just reshape the hole though.
Serrations...why?
If they made a plain edge version, without the whistle, I would surely buy one (and close an eye on the hole shape). Combo edge...no thanks.

:cool:
 
Even with the serrations I'll probably end up with one for use as a barn/garden knife.
 
This will be a great knife to have in any kit IMO. Our local dealer is very excited about it and will notify me when it arrives here so far South.
 
I know opinel knives get tons of love around here but those things look hideous.
 
I like the handles (orange and yellow), the blade not as much. Not really a fan of holes or serrations, though clearly they have their place for some. The whistle is a nice touch too, why not?

It's good to see they are willing to to try modernizing a bit, I wish them a lot of sucess with that. i'd like to see a standard blade in the new handles, maybe with a shorter, straight clip and a little more belly...(Heck, I'd like a blade like that in the wood handles too.)
 
Reviving this thread just to post this digital mockup I did for some variations on the new Outdoor series. Bottom is the original, top is plain edge, second is plain edge and nail nick, and third is "traditional" but using the broader blade profile of the new series. The thread over in the Traditionals subforum spurred me to whip up the "woulda-coulda-shoulda" rendition. :p

opinel No8 outdoor collection.jpg

Edit to add: Also, how long do you think it'll take for Charlie to get one and wave mod it just because he can? :D:D:D
 
Wow, I hope someone from Opinel sees that, the two nail nick versions you've got there look great. It's a subtle change to the blade shape but I like it, old or new handle.
 
I emailed the image to them, so if they don't release 'em it's not on account of not being aware. :D

I'd buy a million of the nail nick ones myself, both in wood and in all colors of plastic.
 
I am looking forward to this one. As a backup blade to a good fixed blade, whats not to love. :)
 
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The reason why the blade is that way is that they don't make those knives for knives collectors.
The serration is for cord cutting and the hole is for shackles. Those are strong requirements for sailing and mountain climbing.

That means they'll sell less of them, yes, but they're useful. Otherwise the traditional opinel no8 is just as good and will always look better (wood being a more "noble" material). It's extremely tough as well.

I wish more companies would go primarily for the useful, rather than mass market sales. While they could add the different blades (and may, who knows?), that they weren't there from the beginning shows their mind set: they didn't really care, they were making a tool, not an ornament.
 
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