Opinel No. 8 Garden Knife

Dornblaser said:
Those numbers do not make sense to me as I have seen the no. 6 listed as being 3 5/8" closed and the no. 8 garden knife as 4 1/4" closed. That's a lot of closed length for very little blade length change.


- David
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I noticed that too, and it surprised me. Only 1/16" increment in blade length, from one to the next. I'm assuming there may be some difference in blade width, also, as I think the handles of the smaller ones are also narrower. In spite of the small difference in length, the overall size of the blade (area) is probably more apparent. It'd be helpful to see a comparison pic of these models, blades open and side-by-side.
 
I suspect our numbers are wrong as it is my understanding that the length of the knife blade is roughly the number of the knife in centimeters. For example, I think that the no. 8 is an 8.5 centimeter blade, the no. roughly a 7 cm blade, the no. 6 roughly a 6 cm, and so on. There are a couple vids out there that show the 3 side-by-side and there is an incremental change in size. The exact numbers would be nice.
 
Dornblaser said:
I suspect our numbers are wrong as it is my understanding that the length of the knife blade is roughly the number of the knife in centimeters. For example, I think that the no. 8 is an 8.5 centimeter blade, the no. roughly a 7 cm blade, the no. 6 roughly a 6 cm, and so on. There are a couple vids out there that show the 3 side-by-side and there is an incremental change in size. The exact numbers would be nice.
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Found a pic on the web, with side-by-side comparison & length data. Don't know if that data is accurate, but at least we get the visual:

opinel_knives.jpg
 
I recently added a #6 in oak. When carrying it I realised that in fact this is a perfect low-budget gentlemen knife! And it is the smallest opinel with the famous lock.
 
Hi Dagon,

I watched your 40th video on the Opinel knives, great stuff. Can you supply us with the closed length of nos. 6 - 8?

Thanks,
David
 
Sorry, forgot to bring my Opinel #8 garden knife into work tonight but you have to remember that the whole locking ring takes away blade length and also covering the tip of the blade when closed. Probably lose 3/4" to 1 1/8" of blade length right there.

I find my blade length to be just right although it would be nice to have another inch, inch and half of handle length. Of course I've got XXL+ hands too...
 
WA Martin said:
Sorry, forgot to bring my Opinel #8 garden knife into work tonight but you have to remember that the whole locking ring takes away blade length and also covering the tip of the blade when closed. Probably lose 3/4" to 1 1/8" of blade length right there.

I find my blade length to be just right although it would be nice to have another inch, inch and half of handle length. Of course I've got XXL+ hands too...
Click to expand...

Opinel actually offers some models with 'Wide Raw' unfinished handles. Something for aspiring carvers to work with. The handles, in the raw condition, are considerably larger. Here are a couple pics (from a vendor site) of the No. 8 'Wide Raw' knife (this is the stainless model; it's available in carbon blade too):

(Blade length: 3-1/4", length open: 8-1/2", so handle would be 5-1/4")
No-8-Opinel-ebauche-raw-boxwood-handle-1.jpg


No-8-Opinel-ebauche-raw-boxwood-handle-2.jpg
 
This thread inspired me to dig out my No8 garden knife. Have not used it much lately so I spent about 10mins on the edge and now it will clean hair off my arm with zero pressure. Worked great last night in the kitchen prepping for dinner. I also have a set of Opi paring knives that see quite a bit of use. Very thin blade makes these a favorite in the household because they will zip through food like it is not even there. Edge holding is pretty good, especially given the low price.
 
I received the Opinel No. 8 Garden Knife and used it lightly cutting flowers and herbs. It certainly is a slicer and less robust than I would have guessed for a knife with the moniker "garden knife". It is more of a flower, herb; and, vegetable harvesting knife, or a garden picnic knife. I like the knife, it feels great in the hand and blade is great, particularly for the price. I took a quick cell picture that I think might be illustrative. The yellow knife is AG Russell's Rancher (Sodbuster, Jr. style) which is a more substantial knife and it will remain my everyday garden knife. The paring knife is a 9 cm Wusthof. Interestingly, when the Opinel and Wusthof are side-by-side with their hilt down, they are very, very close to the same size with the cutting edge of both knives within a mm or so of each other. I haven't decided whether to use this knife as a camping food knife or to order a no. 7 or 8 in carbon for that purpose. I really do like the handle on the Garden Knife and, boy, is this knife light.

DSCN0336.JPG


- David
 
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I imported six of these garden knives from a german retailer when they first came out as they were pretty cheap to buy then, and I liked the look of the grip, and the drop-point/spearpoint blade was interesting for an Opinel too.
I'd bought a spearpoint no.8 when I was in the States and loved it, but they stopped making it with the normal Opi handle so I thought I'd try the garden knife.
It's a good knife, but, I can't really say I like it as much as the spearpoint with the normal Opi handle.
The stainless takes a very good edge but is still slightly inferior to the carbon IMO except for food prep. The grips on the garden knife do not seem to have any coating as far as I can tell unlike the varnished normal grips. It probably seems I'm damning the garden knife with feint praise and I guess I am in a way, but it's worth its price and I'd sooner have it in my pocket than many other knives in its price range. The bottom line is its a pretty good knife but I'd like a standard Opi No.9 more (as long as I'd put an easy open notch in the grip)
 
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I have used my large Sodbuster and will do so again, but my #1 yard/garden knife is a Mora #1. I have a loop of paracord attached to the sheath that I loop around my belt and dangle the sheath into my pocket. I find a fixed blade to be much handier.
 
jacknife,

Points well taken. This knife is my first exposure to Opinel's but it has piqued my interest enough to order a no. 8 Carbon for a food knife. This is just the start of the French exploration for me.

pinetree,

Yeah, it is hard to beat a Sodbuster or Sodbuster, Jr. as a work knife. I had not considered a Mora before.


- David
 
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David. The Opinel is one of the best knives available in its price, and even far above its price. Please don't think I'm against them.
Any Opinels you buy will be money well spent and will serve you well for many years. You really can't go wrong with an Opi.
 
I've been using this as my "garden" knife but would love to try that 8LC Pruning knife.

DSCN00914.JPG


This knife has so much snap, I wouldn't be surprised if it closed all by itself. :p
 
I've been taking photos of some knives, trying to get to at least an OK point in photography ability.
Here's the Garden Knife:

DSC_1230.jpg


Maybe this will help with questions regarding sizing comparisons:

DSC_1236.jpg


As you can tell, I need to keep practicing the picture-taking. :(
 
Jacketech - what knife is that? It is very interesting that that it has a straight blade rather than a recurve, hawkbill, etc.

Just out of curiosity, has anyone used the no. 8 pruning knife for pruning or other garden work?

Bob W - you pictures are great, thanks.
 
Well, the garden knife now resides in my garden tool basket after carrying it in my pocket a couple times only to find that it had opened slightly in my pocket (it was tip up both times). The regular no. 8 carbon knife is pretty cool as well, it 's a great food knife and will be my picnic/car camping food knife. I am glad that I picked up those Opinels, I now understand why folks who have them like them.

- David
 
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