Opinel Folding Knives?

T

tatfiend

Joined
Apr 24, 2013
Messages
417
How are they? I note that they are French and seem to be available in both carbon steel and stainless blades at very reasonable prices for most models. They look interesting as wood handled knives with a very different, if slow operating, blade locking mechanism. A search indicates that they have not been discussed in several years. Apparently the design dates back to pre 1900 from something I found on the web.
 
Everyone should own one. My last job had a no knife policy, yet my Opinel #8 was OK. I went to Germany a couple years ago and took a #4 with the locking collar removed. BTW, I always get the carbon and do a mustard forced patina for rust resistance........
 
I like my no 8 a lot. I have plenty of modern folders which is what I an into so it doesnt get pocket time but I use it alot in the kitchen as a paring knife. It's also nice to bring on camping trips and picnic and BBQ's.

It's an excellent slicer it truly is and for 10 bucks, every knife nut should have one. It's been the folder of choice for many around the world for over a 100 years for a reason.
 
It's a great knife! I love the carbon version for a EDC or carving, and a stainless for food prep! (No. 9 or No. 8 for me)
 
Great knives, simple design. You can mod the handles to your hearts delight. Can't be beat for the price.
 
Screwdriver said:
Everyone should own one. My last job had a no knife policy, yet my Opinel #8 was OK. I went to Germany a couple years ago and took a #4 with the locking collar removed. BTW, I always get the carbon and do a mustard forced patina for rust resistance........
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Hey Screwdriver: would you please elaborate on the mustard forced patina? How to? Why? Results? etc.
 
To the OP: do a search here. There are tons upon tons of threads about them. :thumbup: To me the basic Opinel design is one of the all time great classic folders. I love them. Cheap, functional, thin blades that slice great, easy and fun to customize, etc. They sometimes need some tweaking from the factory; edges need sharpening and you may need to file a bit here and there on the blade shoulders or inner ring to get the locking ring to function just right, but that's okay by me. I like to tinker with stuff. I carry at least one Opi on me pretty much every day. :thumbup::cool:
 
Get one, if you're able. They'll impress you to the point of fanaticism, or help you better appreciate modern folding cutlery, at the least. I really enjoy mine, and feel that they are a stellar value for the money.


They take a mean edge, and even the Stainless (12C27 Sandvik) is grand stuff.
 
I love them so much I bought boxes of them from a wholesale distributor. Lovely knives, great design and tougher than they seem.

#8 is my favourite size.

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And I thought the lock was so cool that I had this custom made with a similar lock.

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I bought the biggest one they make and use it in the kitchen for large cutting jobs. My wife is scared to use it because it is so sharp. I also do the mustard patina on all of mine as well.
 
Whitedog said:
Great knives, simple design. You can mod the handles to your hearts delight. Can't be beat for the price.
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Yes. Opinel knives are fantastic for the price. The exception being the #13... But I still want one anyway!

My #8 and #12...

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Recent photo of the natural patina that's growing from use on the #12; it's used exclusively for food prep:

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Great knives for EDC and food processing in particular. I too own several of them in different sizes and shapes. They're very affordable and over here widely available.
 
tatfiend said:
How are they? I note that they are French and seem to be available in both carbon steel and stainless blades at very reasonable prices for most models. They look interesting as wood handled knives with a very different, if slow operating, blade locking mechanism. A search indicates that they have not been discussed in several years. Apparently the design dates back to pre 1900 from something I found on the web.
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How they are? In regards to what? Blue cheese? They cut better:D

You need to tell us, what you plan to use the knives for.

Opis are commented favourably on all the time. With good reason, as they are dirt cheap excellent knives meant to be used hard - and they have been for generations.

I have several and use them for box cutting duties. The Opinel knives zip right through - they are excellent for the work.

 
Looks to me like the #6 or #8 would make an excellent steak knife. Most steak knives are junk and many have the very fine and virtually unsharpenable blade serrations. Also good as picnic knives as the folding feature and opening lock makes them easy and safe to transport and use.
 
I love them. They are a frequent topic of discussion in the traditional forum. There is an active thread right now with pics.

One of the best bangs for the buck in the folding department, bar none!

Thin, and cuts like a laser. I convexed the edge on mine and just strop to maintain.

Probably the quickest to sharpen knife when I changed the original factory bevel, because of the thin grind. Just a few minutes and it was jumping hair.
 
We talk about them pretty often, they are great knives. I carry a #10 for work, and pack the #8 most weekends. I would say the #9 is the best all around size, but the #8 seems to be the most popular size. You get a lot of knife for very little money with Opinels. And by the way, they are tough knives. I still have not broken a single one (and I have broken other knives).

Buy an Opinel without fear, they great knives.
 
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