opinel question

[RescueRiley]

if you had your choce of chopping tool and sak or multitool...would you feel comfortable with as opinel as your gen slicer/cutter when in the bush???

 

[Morablades]

Yes, but something large like the Opinel #12.

 

[thebladerunr]

This is the No. 10 and for general slicing outdoor chore's it's plenty big enough.

 

[jacknife]

I'd be very happy with an Opinel.

I can get mine razor sharp easily.

I like No.9 or No.10 the best.

 

[Salamander42]

Given the conditions you stated. . .Yes. I use my #7 all the time and I think I'd be perfectly comfortable with it and my Fiskars hatchet and either my Vic Swiss Tool or Hiker if I had to.

Of course, I don't have to because I've got all these wonderful fixed blades around.

More realistically I'd probably take all 5: Opinel, hatchet, SAK, Swiss Too, and a Mora or my Spyderco Mule that I just got today , or my HI baby BAS (if my order from knife kits.com ever gets here so I can make a functional carry sheath for it :grumpy. I've got too many knives and not enough willpower to leave any of them behind to lighten my load!

 

[buckabee]

Yes I think so. I've got a No.8 Inox, and in the past, it has been my cutting/slicing tool for years.
The only drawback is the inferiour locking system, compared to others(frame lock,axis,...).
But if you have your other tools for the heavier task, then why would someone bother about that?
And if you loose it somewere in the bush, you don't have to spend much money for a replacement

 

[Magnum22]

i like my carbon paring knife.

 

[mewolf1]

Yes, every day, all day, with no doubts about it's ability.

 

[Doc4570]

I guess I have to be the one negative vote.
I love Opinels, but I have had some that weren't
difficult to open in humid conditions... they were
impossible to open. How frustrating would that be.
You have a strong, sharp knife with you... you just can't open it.
I wouldn't go into the woods with just an Opinel.
Doc

 

[Morablades]

I don't think Rescue was referring to just an Opinel in the bush. Just having one as your general slicer along side a chopper and a sak.

 

[TedPalmer]

you bet! Their spine also really sparks a ferro rod.
The handles at the pivot will swell do to washing or other moisture. I have not found an oil or coating for the wood to prevent the absorption of water. I have used tru oil, mineral oil and linseed with no real change. Anyone find something that seals them OK?
be safe...
Ted

 

[shecky]

The handles at the pivot will swell do to washing or other moisture. I have not found an oil or coating for the wood to prevent the absorption of water. I have used tru oil, mineral oil and linseed with no real change. Anyone find something that seals them OK?
be safe...
Ted

I think one problem with just treating the pivot area is that the finish on the rest of the handle is still quite permeable. Moisture can enter the wood at the opposite end of the knife and soak all the way up the grain to the pivot area easily. Oil finishes offer some protection, but are typically still very permeable.

I've wondered if anyone has considered using cyanoacrylate glue. The stuff can be very thin, soaks into wood very easily, and hardens quickly for a very plastic-y result that is more than just a surface coat. I think it'd take at least a couple complete coats. Might make a sort of poor man's pakkawood if the wood is dry enough and the glue thin enough to soak in.

 

[Bob W]

Of course. I spent several years working and living outdoors with an Opinel as my only knife.

 

[Myal]

I would , they are a good knife .

I have a #10 I carry and a #12 in my pack

But then I like the older style very simple stuff

 

[siguy]

often my opinel is my only woodsknife when i head out for dayhikes and i forget the mora (strangely enough the mora and the opinel #10 that i have are the same length blade)

my opinel #10 is my EDC and sees all kinds of tasks. it slices rolls for a sandwich, it whittles fuzz sticks, it chops veggies and spreads peanut butter. yesterday i used it while installing carpet. my razor knife was dull and i didn't have time to stop and switch it out. the opinel was dulled, but came back after 30 seconds on my pocket stone.

opinels are very sturdy knives that cut great and are cheap to boot. i just wish i could get one in a little harder steel. maybe i should try re-heat treating an opinel one day...

 

[Bushman5]

sand off the varnish from the Opinal handle and soak in DANISH TUNG OIL. After a day or so of soaking, remove and wipe off the excess. let it dry in a very warm location for several days and then polish with clean rags. No more moisture problems causing blade siezure.

As for carrying an opinel in the woods, if it was under the circumstnaces stated and i had other knives and an axe, sure i'd carry it.

As my only knife though? no way in hell. Try to open the blade and lock it when you cant feel your hands from the cold. :thumbdn:

 

[sodak]

I have had major problems getting them to keep a decent edge. I've gone through 3 Opinel 7's from 2 different orders, and they just go dull in a few cuts. Bad heat treat? How has edge holding been for the rest of you?

Other than that, I like them.

 

[Ron53]

Yes, definitely. I have a #8 Opinel that I have used for years for general slicing duties and food prep on the trail. They excel at slicing and dicing!

Ron

 

[Foilist]

If I was eqipped with a multitool and chopping tool already, I'd prefer a fixed blade for the cutter/slicer.

 

[DaleW]

I've used them for 20 years for food prep, but they don't have the cohones for rough stuff. I have a couple in my car camping kitchen kits for cooking, peeling apples, slicing cheese and sausage-- that sort of thing.

They will cut well and have the warmth and appeal of wood and carbon steel, but I prefer something like an SAK for a general purpose hiking knife. They will certainly make a fuzz stick or small trap, clean game, etc. Using them with raw meat would be a concern.