Opinel goes MODERN!

Obsessed with Edges

Obsessed with Edges

Joined
Apr 12, 2009
Messages
13,500
Just came across this.

New Opinel No. 08 'Outdoor' model. Synthetic handle, partially serrated blade with a 'hole' in it (to be used as a wrench for climbing gear), and a WHISTLE built into the handle. Never thought I'd see the day.

opinel%20No8%20outdoor%20collection.gif
 
Well, I have already seen this in the www, but I think it´s terrible. ;) THAT´s no real Opinel anymore. Opinel for me means:
- wooden handle
- blade without a hole in it
- definitely without serrations

What maybe is good, that the handle is no longer than a sponge. That make the modern version also interessting for outdoor trips. I used one of my good ol' carbon steel bladed Opinels for an outdoor trip on a foggy and rainy day. Couldn´t close the blade anymore. If it would be offered without serrations and without a hole in the blade AND in carbon steel it would be nice as a working knife :)

Just my thoughts :)

Kind regards
Andi
 
Yeah, the synthetic handle was the one 'plus' I could see in this, from a maintenance standpoint. Ideally, it'd be nice if they were to use fully stabilized wood (impregnated with resin), which would accomplish the same thing. That'd obviously be more expensive, but I'd bet many would be willing to pay for it.
 
I don't like these at all. If I need a plastic knife I have a ton of better options IMO. The wood handle and old style carboon blade is what Opinal is all about. Like putting a spoiler on your horse drawn cart.

Edit; When does one need a wrench while climbing?
 
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Looks like Opinel meets Cold Steel,then again it is safe for boat use :D
 
I kinda like the idea still. I think it would be a great back-up knife for my backpacking and climbing trips:
-Extra whistle
-Extra wrench
-Plastic that needs less maintenance than the wood
-Inox; peace of mind in term of rust

It definitely is 'off' in a sense, but I still want one just to have. I could definitely see myself getting one of these.
If it was plain edge, I would be farting rainbows about now...
 
I wounder if you could swap in a standard Opinel blade, if it's possible, I'd love to leave the wooden handle behind.
 
Skimo said:
I wounder if you could swap in a standard Opinel blade, if it's possible, I'd love to leave the wooden handle behind.
Click to expand...

I bet you could. It's a standard 'No. 08' pivot/ring, I assume. If so, a standard No. 08 blade tang should fit. So long as the pivot pin can be removed and reinstalled without doing too much damage, I bet it could be done.
 
Seen one today in a store, and didn't quite like it, ..ended up buying a vic classic sd for the emergency kit :D
I'm thinking if they make the hole and serrations optional, ill buy one.
 
YUK!

I'll be honest but blunt, I hate it.

The world already has a ton of plastic handle knives with a hole in the blade. This is like taking a nice old vintage VW beetle and adding a whale tail, over size tires and chopping the body down. Mutilation of an old classic. If Opinel truly wanted to update the knife, just make an injection molded handle like the old Cold Steel twist masters had. I personally would miss the wood handle that is so easy to re-shape and personalize, but you'd have a truly waterproof Opinel.

Carl.
 
I like the handle but can't stand the serrations. Could go either way on the hole--I don't need it or have any desire for it, but it doesn't turn me off to the design. It's not like they're disgracing themselves and discontinuing the wooden models. They're just offering a modern rendition of a classic to meet the demands of a different sector of the market.
 
jackknife said:
YUK!

I'll be honest but blunt, I hate it.

The world already has a ton of plastic handle knives with a hole in the blade. This is like taking a nice old vintage VW beetle and adding a whale tail, over size tires and chopping the body down. Mutilation of an old classic. If Opinel truly wanted to update the knife, just make an injection molded handle like the old Cold Steel twist masters had. I personally would miss the wood handle that is so easy to re-shape and personalize, but you'd have a truly waterproof Opinel.

Carl.
Click to expand...

Amen to that.
 
...Interesting knife, and I like that the hole in the blade is meant to also serve as camping tool, but for me it lacks the essential, almost inexplicable, draw of the original, simple Opinel design.

I also envision dirt in my whistle....

~ P.
 
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