Opinel knives

[afishhunter]

the blade will seize up as the wood swells

They don't hold an edge very well
The Vibrolock isn't my favorite blade lock ...

Not if you get the "plastic" handle, or the uber expensive horn handled variation, or treat the pivot end with melted wax, or varnish.
I believe the premium woods are less affected by swelling than the standard beech wood knives. However, the premium handle knives (includes the "plastic" handle) are only available with a stainless steel blade. Their Carbone blade is only available with the beech handle.

They hold a working edge plenty long enough for the millions of users around the world (majority of whom use them "harder" than most folks on BF would consider using theirs, or even what they are capable of, for that matter.)
They are also fast and easy to resharpen, even if all you have available is a smooth river/stream/crick rock, or a piece of broken glass.

As for being barrel shaped and "uncomfortable" in the bottom of the pocket, you can always wear pants that are not as tight, and/or sand the sides flat(ter).

The vibrolock serves its purpose. If/When used. (A lot of folks don't bother, and a lot of them pop the ring off on the size 6 and larger. Size 2 to 5 inclusive don't have the lock ring to begin with. The 6 and larger didn't get it until 1955, about 60 years after they were introduced.) It prevents the blade from partly opening in your pocket. With the blade open, (and used) it prevents an accidental real life knock on the spine from partly closing the blade.
Will it support your weight if you use it to do pullups? Probably not. Then again, who puts that much pressure against the spine in real usage? No one I know in the trades or agriculture did/does.
If you are, a folding knife is the wrong tool for the job. ANY blade lock can and has failed. "Trust no blade lock" is advice well worth heeding.

BTW, it is possible to open an Opinel one handed. Several vids on You Tube on how to do it. Also, depending on how tight the pivot is, you can flick them (or a MAM) open.

 

[CometJo]

Recent Opinel convert here. I used to scoff at them when I was younger and would see them a lot at scout encampments or other places. Back in those days the only cool stuff was a black AR rifle, 12 inch Rambo survival knife, etc. Lever action guns, revolvers, Opinels, slipjoints and stuff like that were fuddy duddy. Now I have come to appreciate the classic and simpler things, and that goes double for the Opinel. I really like the very slim blades with ever so slight convex grind. It's very cathartic going over those on a nice stropping block, seeing how sharp I can get one. My waste basket is full of shredded Post-It notes sacrificed for testing sharpness!

It's a plus that they can be locked closed, too.

I also like their new outdoor knife with the plastic handle, built-in whistle and ferro rod, and the gut/rope hook.

Opinel-USA makes it easy to order and they deliver quickly, too. Seems to be hard to find them via other knife outlets these days. I have bought a few No. 8's in different wood like olive, walnut, padouk, and even ebony. No. 8 is about as small as I'll go, though. Don't know that I'll ever muster up the courage to buy No. 13, holy cow.

Those modded handles up above are super sweet, BTW!