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Opinel steel
- Thread starter Zulus
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Whichever steel you get, if it's a wooden handled Opinel, melt some wax into the blade slot to seal the wood and keep it from swelling and binding.
Any particular type of wax? Would beeswax be ok? i have a couple blocks of that sitting here.
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- Mar 26, 2004
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I prefer the INOX (stainless) myself. I know many prefer the "carbone" for ease of sharpening, but I have a hard time with it. Unless I put a really toothy edge with some high-grit diamonds, it never feels sharp to me, and doesn't hold an edge with a damn. I can get the INOX sharp very easily, and while it's obviously not a particularly wear resistant steel either, it holds an edge better than the carbone.
But this is an Opinel we're talking about. ~$15 for a regular beech wood handled model, whether INOX or carbone, in whatever "normal" size you prefer. It's not like you're buying a new Volkswagon and can't decide between gas or diesel, it's a $15 knife. Get one of each and decide which you prefer, then chuck the other in your glovebox or toolbox or wherever to have "just in case". I tend to think of my Opinels as essentially disposable, much like utility blades. Even though I've never "disposed" of one (apart from giving a few away), they're not knives I'll dearly lament losing, damaging, or breaking, because a new one is only ~$15 or so (the exception being my "premium"
I see you live in Florida, so I'm sure you're aware what humidity (and salt in the air) can do to a knife. The INOX might suit you better unless you're OK with the upkeep that a carbon steel knife requires. You should let a patina develop (or force one), which will protect from rust to some degree, as will regular use, but neglect and humid air can still turn a well patina'd blade into a slab of rust pretty quickly. I live in Tucson and about this time of year the monsoons roll in and turn the dry desert into a humid hurricane-like zone for a few months, during which I tend to oil up and set aside my carbon steel knives.
But this is an Opinel we're talking about. ~$15 for a regular beech wood handled model, whether INOX or carbone, in whatever "normal" size you prefer. It's not like you're buying a new Volkswagon and can't decide between gas or diesel, it's a $15 knife. Get one of each and decide which you prefer, then chuck the other in your glovebox or toolbox or wherever to have "just in case". I tend to think of my Opinels as essentially disposable, much like utility blades. Even though I've never "disposed" of one (apart from giving a few away), they're not knives I'll dearly lament losing, damaging, or breaking, because a new one is only ~$15 or so (the exception being my "premium"
I see you live in Florida, so I'm sure you're aware what humidity (and salt in the air) can do to a knife. The INOX might suit you better unless you're OK with the upkeep that a carbon steel knife requires. You should let a patina develop (or force one), which will protect from rust to some degree, as will regular use, but neglect and humid air can still turn a well patina'd blade into a slab of rust pretty quickly. I live in Tucson and about this time of year the monsoons roll in and turn the dry desert into a humid hurricane-like zone for a few months, during which I tend to oil up and set aside my carbon steel knives.
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The Inox Opinels use Sandvik 12C27Mod, which is a pretty decent quality steel for a $15 knife. Don't know much about XC90, which is used on the Carbone models, other than that it has a reputation for low wear resistance.
If you're not sure, I'd suggest going with the stainless, since it'd be a little better suited to life relegated to a toolbox or glovebox in the event you decide it's not something you really like.
If you're not sure, I'd suggest going with the stainless, since it'd be a little better suited to life relegated to a toolbox or glovebox in the event you decide it's not something you really like.
The Zieg
Gold Member
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- Jan 31, 2002
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- 4,821
My carbon Opinels are my sharpest knives, scalpel-like. They are farm and household workhorses. I love to tinker with Opinel knives, but all mine are just right for me now, so I don't need to mess much with them any longer, just carry and use them. I like 12C27 steel a lot, but the carbon steel is tough and sharp and discolors like an old sword in the Tower. Beautiful.
For me, what makes the Opinel, carbon or stainless, such a good cutter is its grind. So when sharpening, think Scandi grind. Not really a 0° grind, but if you can approximate it, you're on the right track.
I also don't wax the wood but I live on the Colorado plains and humidity is not a problem. I do find them dull out the box, so I immediately put a better edge on them.
On y va!
Zieg
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Maybe check out the bubinga or padouk "luxury" models. A bit more expensive (still should be under $30 or so), but these woods will resist warping - the beech handles apparently have a propensity for warping. I've never seen it, but again, I live in the desert.
Indeed. The only ones I carry are the N°6 size, which have quite thin blades, and combined with the convex appleseed grind, they cut very well. I largely use mine as box cutters, and even when "dull" they're still cut quite well because the edge is so thin.[/QUOTE]
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- Jun 29, 1999
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- 9,735
Beeswax might be a bit sticky. I used Johnson Paste Wax and that worked well.
Bigfattyt
Gold Member
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- Jun 23, 2007
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- 19,212
I have both. I like and use both carbon and stainless Opinel.
The stainless edges out the carbon from a an edge holding standpoint. The stainless is also just as easy to keep shaving sharp.
Really, it comes down to whether or not you want patina.
As others have said. Get both!
The stainless edges out the carbon from a an edge holding standpoint. The stainless is also just as easy to keep shaving sharp.
Really, it comes down to whether or not you want patina.
As others have said. Get both!
Thank you
braillediver
Gold Member
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- Oct 6, 2007
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- 3,042
I keep an Opinel 6 in my pocket to loan to people if they ask to use my knife.
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Last time I lent my Opinel to someone, I thought it'd be OK because it was someone to whom I gave a N°8 Gardening knife that I put a crazy sharp edge on. I walked away and heard *PING* and "AARON!", and knew exactly what he had done. I assumed he knew better.
