Opinel #8

this_is_nascar

this_is_nascar

Joined
Jan 17, 2004
Messages
735
While viewing other threads, I came across several pictures of Opinel knives. Not really being a "knife guy", I had never heard of them, but when I saw those pictures, I fell in love. What a beautiful specimen, at a great price to boot. The overwhelming opinion that I've seen has been people praising the #8 for EDC, so I figured what the hell and ordered one. I should have it sometime today.

My biggest fear is that I'm going to love it and will have to get the entire set. The good thing about that is that's possible due to the cost, as they won't break the bank.
 
Outstanding knife for the money. I ignored Opinels for years out of a "It's cheap" mentality. Then a person whose opinion I respect praised them. I decided to pick one up for an upcoming Boy Scout outing since fixed blades were not allowed. That Opinel was used for numerous camp chores and whittling with no mercy. I was impressed, it actually worked better than some fixed blades I have. Being inexpensive too, you're not afraid to use it hard.

I still have that original #8 Carbone, plus 2 #8 Ebauche in cherry wood an olive wood that I finished the handles on. I also gifted each of my sons a #8 with their initial engraved on the blade.
 
hey are very nice knives for that price point.
the 6 is a great pocket size, the 8 & 9 the GP workhorses.
I really like the spear point on the garden knife.
their carbon takes an extremely fine edge, as does their stainless -- which seems similar in edge holding as the Vic & Wenger SAKs.
when you sand off the varnish on the handles, you can stain them however you like.
you can also reshape the handles within reason to make them fit your hand better - or make less of a bump in your pocket.

enjoy!
 
I got the #8 because that's what seemed to be the most popular. If I find it too larger for my EDC likings, I'll try the #7 and/or #6. I really hope it gets here today. I'm eagerly waiting for the shipping notice from Amazon.
 
I have the a Number 8 with the "Carbone" blade, that came with a leather pocket slip. I really should carry it more often.

BTW the pocket slip works great for a quick dry (no compound) stropping.
 
An Opinel is always a smart way to spend your knife money ;)
Size is a matter of habit, taste and preference. If you come from modern folders, then probably a #8 won't look too big; if you're used to slipjoints, then maybe a #6 or #7 might work better for pocket carry.
I prefer their stainless steel since (in my experience) it performs better (and in general I tend to prefer stainless blades).
As a matter of fact, I was carrying my green #8 today:

QrdvF4f.jpg


Fausto
:cool:
 
I personally prefer the No. 6 for pocket carry, but you can't go wrong with either. Here are the No. 6 and No. 8 together in-hand:

68F5456D-382D-46A5-907B-7C746EC8649D.jpg
 
I have always seemed to have a few around since I found them in 1982. Did I ever tell you guys how they cut like the dickens?
:D

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Thanks. I like that #6 too. Worse case if I feel the #8 is too large my EDC needs, it gives me an excuse to purchase more. I can see me asking for the set they have in the wooden box that has all the sizes, for Christmas.
 
They cut like nothing else ! And I do have some inox since yearssssssss. Carbon one's are on the "to buy" list.
I recently mods one #8 blade :)
It change the knife !
I should show it.
 
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I like my #8 too. Mine is a little stiff to open but it does hold a wicked edge.
 
Opinels and SAKs are among the best slicers you'll ever get your paws on.

20151108_143653_zpssyw5oxl6.jpg

No. 8 Carbone.
 
Just wondering if any of you use them for kitchen duty, how do you clean them? Since the blade is made of carbon steel, will it rust easily? I've a #8, but it hasn't seen kitchen duty.
 
I tend to avoid using folders for food prep.
OTOH, I have a couple opinel paring knives and love them.
carbon steel will rust if you leave it wet and/or covered in food.
wipe it off after use and it's fine.
 
Mine will be used for slicing apples, as least a couple times a day, as well as the normal EDC type tasks, such as cutting boxes, opening mail/packages, etc. I've been reading more about them and have been finding many that recommend the #6 for EDC as opposed to the #8. My #8 is currently out for delivery, so I should be seeing it within the next couple of hours. Based on how I like it, I'll probably order a #6 as well. For the price, I can't see anyone going wrong, based on what I've read/watched.
 
mountainbiker said:
Just wondering if any of you use them for kitchen duty, how do you clean them? Since the blade is made of carbon steel, will it rust easily? I've a #8, but it hasn't seen kitchen duty.
Click to expand...

Opinel offers more in stainless than they do in carbon.
 
Picked up a #8 Carbon at Courty & Fils, a fabulous knife shop near the Louvre in Paris last spring for 8.5 Euros. It lives in the picnic hamper now. To keep the wood handle from swelling and binding the blade, I melted a tablespoon-sized pat of hard floor wax (Johnson) into the blade groove with a heat gun. That sealed the wood and it hasn't gotten stuck since. That thin blade takes an awesome edge.
 
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