One month with an Opinel No. 6

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bennyG19

Joined
Sep 22, 2007
Messages
247
I thought I'd give it a try. It's been one week so far and I haven't had a problem yet. I've used it at work for cutting up apples and opening boxes, cutting up some cardboard. I've used it at home for cutting landscape fabric and weedeater line plus opening the mail and other random stuff. Everybody that sees it is intrigued by it so far. I think I'm going to try to sharpen it up a little better tomorrow. It isn't exactly the sharpest knife on earth right now but it's so freaking thin it still cuts great.
 
I have good success with just a good leather stropping to re-sharpen the Opinels. Yes, as you say they are so thin,,,,but when they are sharp,,,,they are like a razor,,,,,I have 3 in the kitchen, 2-paring knives, and a No. 8 -- me bride is scared to use them, they are so sharp, yes cut many times w/them. Gifted my No. 9 to my bro-in-law past Christmas,,,,,everytime I think I about,,,,I want another one.

Read somewhere recently,,,they are affliated w/Boker,,,,anyone know any info?
 
I have a number 8 or 9 in the kitchen (can't remember) and love it. It is a wonderful cutting tool. I was inspired to purchase mine back in '02 from all the talk about them here on BF. I think it is one of those "Best Bang for the Buck" knife purchases out there. Mine will stay on kitchen duty, but I know it is far more capable than that.
 
Opinels are one of the most under-rated knives around and while they don't have the bells-n-whistles of "tactical folders" they have an honest, down to earth appeal of their own. I actually prefer the shape of their drop-point #8's. My #12's are the largest folding knives I have and that big Yatagan blade really looks like it means business. The #13 is even bigger.

On the other hand, their slimlines have all the classic elegance of a Laguiole with the advantage of a secure blade lock. Check out the rosewood or blond horn #10 if you want one that looks classy

http://www.opinel.com.au/Giftware.htm
 
Do not hand a closed locked Opinel to someone who has never seen one. I did that with my buddy. He pulled on the nail nick and the knife wouldn't open so he pulled harder. Luckily I yelled at him to stop and showed him how to unlock the blade before he did any real damage.
 
I think I'll try that with my #8 now that I'm getting use to it. I've cut summer and country sausage, different kinds of cheese and it is fantastic:thumbup:! With the ring lock and how good the quality of the knife is for the price it makes me want to collect them.
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It's amazing how much knife you can get for the price, and they aren't just useful I find them rather stylish as well (but I know some folks don't like their looks).

My favourite is the carbon steel #8, I wish I could get it with those nice olive or walnut handles that stainless #8's are available in.

I like to sharpen mine convex, I take the edge to a very high polish on wet/dry sandpaper backed with an old mousepad, going up to 2000 grit. Then I move on to a leather strop with some polishing compound. I just love the contrast between the dark blade patina and the gleaming, mirror polished edge.

Stropping is all it takes for routine maintenance.
 
Opinels are like the unsung hero's of pocket knifedom. They are cutters far exceeding what most knives are capable of. Thats most knives, not just "economy" knives. The danged things do cut!

I know a few people who are not knife knuts, but do carry and use an Opinel as their only folding knife. Of course, Pascal and his family are French.

Opinels are great knives.
 
I keep one in a sheath on my (uber tactical) Maxpedition bag! :p I use it mostly for food prep, and I haven't found a knife yet that can slice up an apple better.
 
I have two Opinels, can't remember which models. One with 4" blade and one with a 5" blade. They are fantastic knives for the weight and price.
 
I think they are quite handsome knife! I've heard the handle described as fishtail shaped and there is some truth in there. To me the handle reminds me of a good ax handle with out so much bend. The standard birch wood is pretty to my eyes, as well.
 
In 81, I cycled to Britanny.
I spent a month working in renovating a 14th C farmhouse
The only knives any worker carried were Opinels

I was gifted one, and still have it.
 
it's been three weeks now and the Opinel has done everything I've needed it to do so far. I've let a few people borrow it and they all like it. One of them said it 'looks like my granny's old paring knife'. i have to show them how to use the lock but they've all liked it. an old guy at work said it looks like it was made to cut up apples and that he wished he had one when he was a kid and they canned everything imagineable.
 
Be veeeery careful, benny. You may find you get by very nice with way less knife than you thought you needed. Those Opinels are habit forming!:D
 
I love my #7. I have so many knives, but I love that #7. It is so easy to sharpen. It looks innocent so as not to attract the bad kind of attention from the non-coms and officers, but everytime someone sees it for the first time, they always comment or ask to see it. They are very unique.
 
I just got my #9 a while ago.
It's one of my sharpest knives, after spending some time to profile the edge and sharpen it evenly. It is super thin, in a great flat ground bowie design. Perfect for EDC and light chores. The price itself is HILARIOUS. I spent $12 on mine O.o wow.
 
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