Opinel goes MODERN!

Note that the blade profile of this new series is a bit broader than their standard line. Should they come out with a rendition of that blade without the hole/serrations it would look very nice on a wooden handle as well--not just the poly one.

opinel No8 outdoor collection.jpg
 
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Count me amount the "hate 'em" camp. :thumbdn:

But I reckon it'd be an okay cheap outdoors knife for someone not at all into knives. Certainly of better quality than that $7 Pakistani lockback your brother-in-law bought at the truck stop and won't shut up about. :D Still, in most cases, that same guy would be better served with a SAK.

As for anyone wanting an Opinel for use around water or in a damp climate, check out the gorgeous black oak, or walnut models with stainless blades.

-- Mark
 
mnblade said:
Count me amount the "hate 'em" camp. :thumbdn:

But I reckon it'd be an okay cheap outdoors knife for someone not at all into knives. Certainly of better quality than that $7 Pakistani lockback your brother-in-law bought at the truck stop and won't shut up about. :D Still, in most cases, that same guy would be better served with a SAK.

As for anyone wanting an Opinel for use around water or in a damp climate, check out the gorgeous black oak, or walnut models with stainless blades.

-- Mark
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You have to admit, though--wouldn't the third one down in the above image be nice if they made one? :D
 
To me, the initial impression is what a lot of you said: It ruined a classic design, rather than starting from new.

But upon further reflection, I think it is a great idea:

  • Nice shape
  • Nice materials, but without being "me too!" like all the tactical folders
  • the blade can be pinched open without needing a cut-out.
  • Half serrations can be handy on larger blades like that.
  • I like the lanyard. To those who don't like it, it can be removed.
  • Whistle = useless to me, but it's use is optional

I think I'm going to get one.
 
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So Opinel now does the "Mora" step? It's okay and everything but they could have improved on the material rather than invent the wheel new. (Like lamindated blade/Premium steel or stablized wood-handle)
Handle is okay but why the heck would anyone need a friggin' triangular hole smack dab middle of the blade?!?!.:foot::foot::foot:

Also, I have never seen those serrations before. Do they have a name to their design?
 
McGrain said:
So Opinel now does the "Mora" step? It's okay and everything but they could have improved on the material rather than invent the wheel new. (Like lamindated blade/Premium steel or stablized wood-handle)
Handle is okay but why the heck would anyone need a friggin' triangular hole smack dab middle of the blade?!?!.:foot::foot::foot:

Also, I have never seen those serrations before. Do they have a name to their design?
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Their steel choice is actually a good one (Sandvik 12C27Mod, same/similar as used on stainless Moras). Among all that's 'wrong' with this model, the steel is actually the least of my worries. It's good stuff, and the same as used on the 'traditional' stainless Opinels.

There's a video on the Opinel (USA) site, which shows how the large, oddly-shaped hole in the blade is used as a wrench for some climbing/rope hardware (EDIT: see the screen capture below, from the video). The hole is used as a wrench to tighten the threaded pin closure on a climbing shackle (French 'demanilleur' seen in pic = 'shackle'). I'm assuming the tapered slot is to accommodate different sizes of threaded pins.

It does seem like overkill to me, but also shows the hole may not be completely arbitrary in form. I didn't link the video here, as it may be construed a little too much like 'promotional' material, which might run afoul of forum guidelines here.
 
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Hmm, not sure about that...might be a good one to get my boys to put in their packs though.

I'll hold on to my regular #8 for now.
 
I don't think it was intended to be for traditionalists. If it keeps Op. in business, then I'm all for it. I didn't get into the product anymore than it was mentioned here, but as a climber/outdoorsy type, and as a lover of traditional slipies and lockers, I'm on bored. (It is a tough sell around here though when the next GEC is just around the corner.)
 
Tick toc
Time moves forward

Where was the outcry when they offered SS?

You can still buy the classic carbon
Just vote with your purse
 
LKJW said:
Wow. This makes me sadder than it should.
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Why sad? They're expanding. That's a good thing, innit? :confused:

Seriously, guys--they're not replacing the traditional ones with these or anything--it's just one more flavor to add to their line. If an ice cream shop that's famous for it's chocolate and vanilla decides to add strawberry, most folks would be happy to see the addition regardless of their personal flavor preference, right? Same thing here.
 
As most of you guys know, I'm an Opinel fan, and I had already seen these. Honestly, it never occurred to me to compare them with the classic wooden Opinel knife. This is no substitute for it, Opinel will not stop making thousands of knives like my loved #6, so we can all breathe easy and stick to wood.
This is, in my opinion, a totally different thing, and made to "hit" another market (personally, I've always used an Opinel in the outdoors...but let's face it, the majority of the buying audience is not really attracted by the "old style" wooden French friend).
I see nothing bad in producing a new line of more "modern" Opinel's along with their classic line...but they could have done it better.
I know it looks more "outdoor/tactical", but the partially serrated blade makes no sense to me. Also, I think they should have kept the classic Opinel drop blade profile. Making it a bit thicker would do no harm to me (after all, if I remember properly, it's 2,5mm vs the 2,0 mm of the classic version). The hole in the blade, apart from its intended purpose, could be useful when opening the knife with gloves or in wet situations. The whistle makes no sense either (not that a whistle is useless, but I don't want to blow into my knife).
The handle material could "work" but I haven't handled it yet, so I suspend my judgement :rolleyes:
In the end, I believe this could be a good way for Opinel to sell more knives and get into another branch of the knife market, although they could have done it better.
It is absolutely evident that in no way will these knives substitute the classic ones that we all love.

Fausto
:cool.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Why sad? They're expandingIf an ice cream shop that's famous for it's chocolate and vanilla decides to add strawberry, most folks would be happy to see the addition regardless of their personal flavor preference, right? Same thing here.
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Honestly, one thing I've learned is that people hate change of any sort, even if it has nothing to do with them. I'm not specifically meaning the people on BF, but just in general. I can upgrade software that saves 10 steps and an hour of work, and I'll hear nothing but complaining about how it looks different.
 
Django.cj said:
Honestly, one thing I've learned is that people hate change of any sort, even if it has nothing to do with them. I'm not specifically meaning the people on BF, but just in general. I can upgrade software that saves 10 steps and an hour of work, and I'll hear nothing but complaining about how it looks different.
Click to expand...

I agree with your assessment. The way I see it is life exists as a constant state of change and it makes things a lot easier if you come to gracefully accept that. The taoist belief, if I remember correctly, compares life to a rocky river that you're floating in. If you try to fight needlessly against the current you become banged and battered on the rocks, but if you allow the river to carry you where it will then its current will naturally guide you around those obstacles.

Of course sometimes it's good to pitch a big stink but I don't think this is one of those times. :p
 
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