Opinel vs Case Sodbuster

See that, Stelth? With a single Opinel #8 a man can defend himself from an entire pack of dogs...:D
 
I have both. My 'Opie" is a #6 carbon steel, and I also have a stainless #8. For EDC I carry the #6 as it is sharp as I would ever need it and extremely light weight. I don't require a lot from my knives, mostly cutting open packages, opening mail and cutting string or small rope. It has yet to be so tight as to not open easily, and has not opened in my pocket. A plus is the fact that I can re sharpen it on the bottom of a coffee cup if I need to when I am not at home with my sharpening equipment. My case and Bucks have been relegated to my work bench for access if I need a different blade type, or for heaver work. I would not get rid of any of them as they all have their strengths and weaknesses. I just choose one for the intended job ahead.
I was at a restaurant the other day and needed a sharp knife. I had no qualms about bringing out my small "opie" to use. No one screamed in panic, or looked at me like I was a serial killer. The waitress remarked that it appeared really sharp, and did I need her to bring me a steak knife. I said "no thanks, this will get the job done". I was eating some fried shrimp, and not a steak, but wanted to slice them in half as they were quite large. I would not have felt at ease dragging out my Kershaw Tremor to use for the needed task.

Blessings,

Omar
 
Hey now! :D You're talking about my two favorite knives there, haha just joking, funny I've never thought of choosing between the two actually. I kind of look at them as a favorite pair of pants, one is a favorite pair of comfortable hard-use blue jeans, and the other is a nice casual slim pair of skinny-jeans, both great for different uses.

My Sodbuster will out perform every single one of my other folding knives, no joke, I've tested it hard, I mean hard, against other knives and the edge geometry and blade shape outperforms the others brought against, IMO. The only thing I would change is to give it a longer blade (say 3.5 inches) and make it a whole lot smoother to open :rolleyes:

The Opinel is in a whole different category IMHO, it's a slicer, and a perfect EDC blade, it excels in kitchen duty and probably every other light task you can throw at it, but the blade is thin, I have no idea how it would perform in hard use, i.e carving, chopping, light prying, I'm afraid I would snap it, but with a thicker blade this knife could be the perfect knife for me.
 
GarageBoy said:
So everyone recommends the Opinel as a must have. Why not the Case Sodbuster instead? USA made- has a spring instead of just relying on friction. Has brass liners, handles that don't bind when wet for only a few bucks more.
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I have a couple of Case Sodbusters. I don't, and won't, own an Opinel.
 
Stelth said:
If I want wine or losing wars I'll pick france. If I need a knife I'll go with the US of A. Gimme a Sodbuster any day over an opinel.
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If it weren't for France, we'd likely still be under control of England.
If it weren't for France, the US of A would have stopped at roughly the Mississippi River.
The French know how to cook and definitely know how to make a knife.
The Sodbuster is an old European design (likely from Germany).

All that being said, I like both. I probably slightly prefer the GEC version of the sod buster jr. since it has a lanyard tube. I still like both, they are great knife designs and work well. The larger Opinels have a lock ring that can lock the knife open or closed.
 
OHALLUM said:
A plus is the fact that I can re sharpen it on the bottom of a coffee cup if I need to when I am not at home with my sharpening equipment.
Omar
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Why does the coffee cup trick work better with Opinel? I am curious.
 
Woodrow F Call said:
If it weren't for France, we'd likely still be under control of England.
If it weren't for France, the US of A would have stopped at roughly the Mississippi River.
The French know how to cook and definitely know how to make a knife.
The Sodbuster is an old European design (likely from Germany).

All that being said, I like both. I probably slightly prefer the GEC version of the sod buster jr. since it has a lanyard tube. I still like both, they are great knife designs and work well. The larger Opinels have a lock ring that can lock the knife open or closed.
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They were twice repaid for that service.
 
Sure, I just don't get the animosity.None of it has anything to do with knives. The French have some good stuff.
 
I do not have an Opinel so I cannot comment between the two. However, the Sodbuster (specifically the Sodbuster Jr.) will always be a favorite of mine. I have Sodbuster Jr. I got many years ago. It might have been my first single blade knife. My Mom got it for me when I was like 10 or 12 for doing something extra at school. I still have the box and that really thin paper that explains how to care for the knife. I recently put a new edge on it with my WE and it is just as useful as the day I got it.
 
It ain't an either-or around here, I have both. Opi and the Queen get along just fine.
OpiamptheQueen.jpg
 
I really have a hard time with decisions like these, it's really down to personal preference IMHO, and the best one can do is just try both out and decide which suites them best. As for me, I like and use both Sodbusters, as well as Opinels, if that's not indecisiveness, I've got more than one make of Sodbuster, as well as a mix of Inox, and Carbone Opinels. I like, use, and appreciate all of them. As much as it pains me to say it, aesthetics aside, I'm beginning to lean towards the stainless Opinels, the 12C27 Sandvik, holds and takes a grand edge, resisting corrosion quite well.
 
I have several of both. I like both. The difference is, I'd be upset if I broke a Sodbuster. If I broke an Opinel...well I'd still be upset, but I'd buy another, because I consider them disposable, like Moras.
 
bobo383 said:
I'm still laughing over that, thanks Scott!
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:D:thumbup:


Woodrow F Call said:
Sure, I just don't get the animosity.None of it has anything to do with knives. The French have some good stuff.
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Neither do I. I know we two countries have our differences, but that's true of all countries. I will always have a warm spot in my heart for France and her significant sacrifice in helping us attain our own liberty. Sure, we helped them out in two world wars subsequent to that, but I don't see it as a matter of being "even." It's just not about that for me. You do what you believe is right, not because you see it as "repaying" a debt, and regardless of whether your actions are "repaid" in kind at some point in the future or not. Anyway, I'm straying into the political here, so I'll leave it at that. ;)

Let the Necro battle between Opis and 'Busters continue! :D
 
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I like them both though i find the Case Sodbuster has a better wear resistance. Possibly, if the word "France" stamped on the blade causes this kind of parroting:

Stelth said:
If I want wine or losing wars I'll pick france.
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then prefer the Sodbuster.

dantzk.
 
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