Opinel 8 Front Pocket Carry

C

CO_EDC

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Oct 9, 2012
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So I really want to pick up a couple Opinel No 8s (one to leave alone and one to mod). My only problem is the thought of leaving it loose in my front pocket. How many of you carry an Opinel in your pocket?

My thought was to get a leather sheath for it and attach a pocket clip. This would keep the knife in the same spot that I carry rest of my folders.

Something like this:
#8 Opinel Carbon Steel Folding Knife w/ Beechwood Handle and Leather Sheath


Then attach some sort of pocket clip.

Or this (just not as wide):


Thoughts?
 
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There are some nice leather sheaths for sale on the dealer forum righ now, maybe one would fit it.
 
The current Opinels can be locked close, if that is your concern. The N°8 is still reasonable in a jeans pocket. However, I never liked it much because the cylindrical handle is felt too much (in jeans. No worries with carpenter trousers...). There are bigger (and heavier !) knives with less pocket print. A leather sheath with a pocket clip looks like a good idea.
 
They fit fine in the watch pocket of a pair of jeans.
Opinel's are one of the few knives I don't mind sitting at the bottom of my pocket because they are so light I don't really notice them.
 
It's never going to be a quick draw knife, but it's very useful. With more places writing laws that knives must be concealed (EX Chicago & NYC), I think a belt holder or a clip is a bad idea. If you want to keep it in a dedicated pocket, why not get a piece of leather & awl or ice pick & some Para cord & make a pouch that fits your pocket & keeps it at whatever angle you like. If you ever went to summer camp or were in Cub Scouts, you'll know what I'm taking about.
 
jimmyd1982 said:
They fit fine in the watch pocket of a pair of jeans.
Opinel's are one of the few knives I don't mind sitting at the bottom of my pocket because they are so light I don't really notice them.
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You've got some giant watch pockets! (edit to add: apparently the watch pocket in the jeans I was wearing yesterday is smaller than the pair today, the No 8 fits just fine).

I just carry it in my front pocket. All of my jeans fit pretty loose so having the No 8 in my front pocket has never been a problem. It's bulky, but light.

Back pocket next to the wallet is another option, that's how I carry my large traditional folders.

I have also thought about making a pocket slip with a clip just to keep the knife up out of the bottom of my pocket.
 
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I'm not worried about it opening in my pocket, I just hate having stuff loose floating around in my front pockets. (sorry about the links in my first post btw) I'll go check out the dealer forum, thanks for the idea.

Making one is a good idea. Or I might try attaching a pocket clip to the "sleeve" style sheaths. I like how thin and unobtrusive they are. I'm really just looking for a way to keep it out of the bottom of my pocket.
 
What other stuff you keep in there can make a big difference, too. When I carry a traditional folder in jeans, it snugs into the inside seam with my wallet and a tube of chapstick standing next to it. All three keep each other upright (at least most of the time).

I've experimented with carrying an Opinel #8 that way, and while it fit it wasn't remotely comfortable. I prefer a knife without a cylindrical profile for pocket carry.
 
For me, the main issue with pocket-carrying an Opinel is the bulk of the round handle, and especially the flared pommel. I have several Opinels, but only carry two, the 6 and the 8, both of which I have slimmed by sanding the handles.

B6C9DEDE-A9AB-4C7A-B07C-30EA5F7E9B30.jpeg
 
After breaking it in and minor happyh shaping, my Opinel #8 is one of my favorite pocket knives, often displacing my fancier, more expensive, and technically advanced knives... although I'm hoping my #9 will have the same sentiment after I finish with some handle shaping.

Personally, I generally keep it in my back, right pocket, held upright by my wallet. That is currently how I carry my Buck 112. Some wallets work better than others to help stabilize the knife in pocket.
 
Just looked at Henry's pics & with similar shaving, thumb studs & a different lock, you'd have a very inexpensive, truly sharp knife for a real inexpensive price. Combined with a pouch that used the method of putting a flat section in front of the pouch to avoid printing & you'd have a great carry knife. If somehow you could add assisted opening, I don't care what anyone says, it's on the short list for pocket knife of the year, assuming that's a thing. :)
 
Dadpool said:
What other stuff you keep in there can make a big difference, too. When I carry a traditional folder in jeans, it snugs into the inside seam with my wallet and a tube of chapstick standing next to it. All three keep each other upright (at least most of the time).

I've experimented with carrying an Opinel #8 that way, and while it fit it wasn't remotely comfortable. I prefer a knife without a cylindrical profile for pocket carry.
Click to expand...

I keep a small flash light and a leatherman juice S2 on a P-7 suspension clip clipped to my left pocket with nothing in the bottom. My folding knife (delicate or mini-grip usually) gets clipped to my right pocket with nothing in the bottom. The wallet in back left and phone in back right.
 
Henry Beige said:
For me, the main issue with pocket-carrying an Opinel is the bulk of the round handle, and especially the flared pommel. I have several Opinels, but only carry two, the 6 and the 8, both of which I have slimmed by sanding the handles.

View attachment 906833
Click to expand...

Those look great! That's actually EXACTLY what I'm planning on doing with mine. Half the reason I want one is the fun in modding it.
 
cigarrodog said:
View attachment 907845 A modded #6, easily carried.
Click to expand...

Wow, that looks awesome. I actually saw that on Instagram while I was looking for ideas on modding opinels.

So I'm not sure if it will work or if it's a good idea but I'm planning on sewing either a spare Benchmade deep carry clip or one of the p7 suspension style Clips to the cheap leather sheath that came with my opinel number 8.

I just want something to keep the sheath and knife in the normal place I carry my other folders in. I really hate having stuff loose in the bottom of my pocket.

Anyone have any ideas or suggestions?
 
bikerector said:
collectorknives.net has affordable clip clips that work well. I have a few for pocket carrying my trappers and then a deep pocket organizer for my moose and flashlight for discrete carry.

https://www.collectorknives.net/shop/accessories/ck-tuscany-leather-clip-slip-for-folding-knife/
Click to expand...

Do you mean you have one of their clips that you added to a sheath? Or do you have one of those sheaths with the pocket clip already on it? Either way I'd like to hear what you think about it.
 
I carry my #6 loose it the pocket.
Love the little scalpel.
No need for a clip imho.
 
CO_EDC said:
Do you mean you have one of their clips that you added to a sheath? Or do you have one of those sheaths with the pocket clip already on it? Either way I'd like to hear what you think about it.
Click to expand...

I have several of the sheaths and slips that are made with the clip. I have a clip sheat for a small bird and trout fixed blade and 2 clip slips, as they are called, for two of my trapper knives. The clip slip is basically taking the standard knife slip which is fairly common for slipjoints as a way to keep them from getting dinged from coins or keys in your pocket but also help keep the knife facing vertical. The clip is sewn on so that the knife can be clipped to the pocket, or where else you would like it, just like a modern folder with a clip.

I've had the clip slip for close to a year now I think with a boker trapper and frequent carry around the house and have really liked it. The slips come flat so they have a fairly snug fit but after time they will take the form of the knife that is frequently in them, as leather tends to do. This can lead to the slip being a little loose over time but it's definitely not bad. It does mean that the slip may not work well with multiple different knives.

I do find the clip slip works better with a boxier bolster as the rounded bolsters on my #48 gec can be more difficult to withdraw from the slip while it's clipped in my pocket. If you do tip down with an opinel I think the clip slip would work really well.
 
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