Opinel Question

T

theedge13

Joined
Feb 11, 2008
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Are they good knives? I like the look of them and they are quite inexpensive. SO how good are they? Do most of you that own them EDC them?

Thanks.
 
Id love to EDC mine but the lack of a pocket clip tends to turn me away. I like big heavy folders though so thats another reason.
 
Opinel knives are good for what they are. Their blades are quite thin, so they slice very well. They are not made for heavy duty use such as battoning or the like.

The wood of the handles can swell in humid conditions making them hard to open, but generally the pivots work well. They also have a locking ring bolster that does a good job of locking the blade when open.

They come in stainless or carbon steel for most models. They take a very sharp edge. They are very light weight, and lots of folks like to modify them to some degree or other.

I have a #8, and I have carried it quite a lot.

DSC02880.jpg


They are nothing fancy, but for a decent quality, inexpensive knife that can really slice, they do a good job. If you lose or break one, they won't cost you an arm or leg to replace.

Andy
 
Love'em, for edc stuff they cut like lazers and make decent skinners when hunting...they are thin stock however.
 
Andrew Colglazier said:
Opinel knives are good for what they are. Their blades are quite thin, so they slice very well. They are not made for heavy duty use such as battoning or the like.

The wood of the handles can swell in humid conditions making them hard to open, but generally the pivots work well. They also have a locking ring bolster that does a good job of locking the blade when open.

They come in stainless or carbon steel for most models. They take a very sharp edge. They are very light weight, and lots of folks like to modify them to some degree or other.

I have a #8, and I have carried it quite a lot.

DSC02880.jpg


They are nothing fancy, but for a decent quality, inexpensive knife that can really slice, they do a good job. If you lose or break one, they won't cost you an arm or leg to replace.

Andy
Click to expand...


are they numbered for their size? Ie #8 = 8" ? Cuz i read on a shopping website that the number 8 has a 4" plus handle. are my assumptions somewhat correct?
 
The numbering system is sequential but was based on the metric size of the blade.

theedge13, you certainly can search, just not by using the BF engine. Go to Google or Yahoo and type in your search terms followed by site:Bladeforums.com
 
Here's a link to a photo of a set of them.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/pp142/rolesfamily_photos/Opinel_Ten_Piece_Set.jpg

For around $100., you could get enough of these things in various sizes to last a lifetime+. And if you like to mod & tinker, these would keep you busy for awhile too.


Personally, I love them. Opinel makes one with a brand imprint for Coghlan's Camping Gear out of Canada; I was really shocked to find one in a display in a local drug store here. For $12. it's great deal.

thx - cpr
 
Here's a link to a photo of a set of them.
http://i406.photobucket.com/albums/p..._Piece_Set.jpg

For around $100., you could get enough of these things in various sizes to last a lifetime+. And if you like to mod & tinker, these would keep you busy for awhile too.
Click to expand...
If you shop around you can find that same set for $60, which comes out to $6 per knife. Smoky Mountain Knife Works ( www.eknifeworks.com ) usually has the best selection and lowest prices on Opinel knives.
 
theedge13 said:
nonpaying member i am i cannot search :jerkit:
Click to expand...
i cant either.
i used google...
google.com
then site:bladeforums.com "opinel"

you can do it for any site.
i don't know if that jerkit smiley was directed towards me but if it was
i'm sorry for whatever i did to annoy you.
 
Capt. Carl said:
i cant either.
i used google...
google.com
then site:bladeforums.com "opinel"

you can do it for any site.
i don't know if that jerkit smiley was directed towards me but if it was
i'm sorry for whatever i did to annoy you.
Click to expand...

smiley directed toward the search function. not you at all... i think the search thing is lame...hence the jerk smiley...

NO HARD FEELINGS TOWARD YA CAP'N
 
theedge13 said:
Are they good knives? I like the look of them and they are quite inexpensive. SO how good are they? Do most of you that own them EDC them?

Thanks.
Click to expand...


I've been using them on and off since 1982. They have their weak points, like the wood handle swelling when wet, but that can be fixed. The sealing varnish they use is crap, so I refinish the wood handle myself. Kind of personalizes it. I've got them so they will stand up to total submerging in a glass of water without swelling shut. A little stiff, but workable.

I put them away now and then, thinking they are a PITA, but I always come back to them sooner or later. The truth is, nothing else cuts like them for even 6 or 7 times the price. I know some people who are not knife knuts like those here, who use them as thier only knife. They get by quite well with them.

They cut like a razor, are sturdier than you think, cost very little, and will last for years of use. They are very light weight for thier size, and carry very well in pants pockets. They have a very low profile on the radar, even sheeple like them. For what an averidge Syderco costs you, you can buy several Opinels, some sandpaper, Minwax stain of choice, a small can of Helmsman Spar Urathane, and have a bunch of good using knives that you've cutomized to your own taste.

You need to get yourself a number 7, 8, and 12. The 12 makes a great jacket pocket knife, and takes care of big jobs. I took mine and made a Navaja out of it by reshaping the handle.

Opinels are great knives.
 
Opinel #6, stainless blade, walnut handle, locking ring. Perfect little office knife, right size and sharp and won't scare the wienies. Or the cops in New York City, for a miracle.
 
Concerning batoning...this is what my #10 looks like after being batoned through wood countless times.

comparisonmw9.jpg


When you look at that, the grinds on a lot of folders being produced these days seem even more absurd.

They're good knives but the lack of one handed opening makes me not care to EDC them. They do have some of the best blade geometry for cutting out of all the knives I've owned.
 
i keep one at my desk at work and use it to slice up apples, tomatoes, and anything else i can find to eat. I edc'd it for a while, but like all other knives it was replaced by a Vic Soldier or Wenger SI.
 
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