Henry Beige
Gold Member
- Joined
- Jun 1, 2015
- Messages
- 3,721
If I lost one of my few stainless Opinels, I wouldn’t miss it. I bought one to see how I liked the stainless, the others because some patterns and the premium woods only come in stainless. I am more attached to my carbon Opis, particularly the ones I carry, if only because I have spent some time and effort reshaping the blades and handles, or modifying the ring lock of a newer one.
A well used Opinel will take a rich, dark sheen that incorporates the various oils it encounters. The very slight curvature of the convex blade enhances the effect, giving a seasoned Opi a look and feel like nothing else. I also have an older 7 and a 10 that have all-carbon fittings: blade, bolster and Virobloc. Those I have left unmolested because you don’t see them like that very often. I would not like to lose those either.
Other than that, I see them as disposable, and somewhat fungible, especially if they have not been used enough to acquire much character.
A well used Opinel will take a rich, dark sheen that incorporates the various oils it encounters. The very slight curvature of the convex blade enhances the effect, giving a seasoned Opi a look and feel like nothing else. I also have an older 7 and a 10 that have all-carbon fittings: blade, bolster and Virobloc. Those I have left unmolested because you don’t see them like that very often. I would not like to lose those either.
Other than that, I see them as disposable, and somewhat fungible, especially if they have not been used enough to acquire much character.