Opinel?

combatjiujitsu

combatjiujitsu

Joined
Nov 26, 2009
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Thinking about picking up a Opinel, never handled one or even seen one up close but thinking about EDCing one for awhile. Was looking at a #7 with carbon blade is this a good one to start with....opinions anyone?
 
7 or 8 is good. # 8 is bit big for EDC for me, so i got # 7, its really good. # 6 is good too. I love # 9 in forrest. 9 Is most comfy for me, but its way too big for edc. 7 is great compromise and its carbon steel takes wicked edge when you sharpen it. The wood has little differences, take the cheaper one or one you like most.
 
Opinels are nice but I learned from living 5 minutes walking distance from the beach that they are a tad difficult to open and close if the wood gets even a little damp and swells
 
The sharpening is a little easier on the carbon blades, the stainless doesn't give you that metallic tang noticeable from some foods. Opinel carbon has quite a noticeable tang with apples and patinates very easily.
 
I keep a #9 in the drawer of our sideboard in the dining room for opening packages and other general tasks. I love the size and the slicing ability of the carbon steel. The only draw back for me is the slipperyness of the smooth handle. I may try to checker it and refinish in oil to improve the grip. The #9 is a little large to carry, and I'm a pretty big guy (6'1", 250 lbs.).
 
After looking for a few minutes just picked up a #7 Carbon Beechwood for $12 dollars plus free shipping, going to give it a try and may pick up a few different ones. Thanks guys
 
black mamba said:
I keep a #9 in the drawer of our sideboard in the dining room for opening packages and other general tasks. I love the size and the slicing ability of the carbon steel. The only draw back for me is the slipperyness of the smooth handle. I may try to checker it and refinish in oil to improve the grip. The #9 is a little large to carry, and I'm a pretty big guy (6'1", 250 lbs.).
Click to expand...

I took off the horrible orange stain and then soaked it in boiled linseed oil. After it dried I used a 50:50 mix of beeswax and carnauba wax. It stays shiny but grippy.
 
Good choice. I used my No. 8 last night to cut up some avocados, tomatoes, and onions for some guacamole at a friend's house. :)
I agree, the handle is kinda silly... which is why I reshaped mine.
 
Opinel's are among those knives with which u can't go wrong. The quality/price ratio is outstanding. It's hard to find a better slicer even if u raise the price range way up. It's light, comfy, friendly, classic, cheap.
As for size, the #7 is my choice too, it's more than enough for any task and the handle is long enough to get a comfy grip.
As for which wood u get, it's a pure matter of taste.
As for steel, they're both good steels: the carbon steel is more "classic" (and, so it seems, easier to sharpen) but the Sandvik stainless is very good too.
If u are one of those who buy many knives in a year...I bet my dollar that before 2011 is over u will have more than one French bladed friend.
Fausto
:cool:
 
I credit my Opinel #8 for getting me back in the habit of EDC use. They are so silly light that it was super easy to get used to keeping one in my pocket. As other have noted, the handle is big too, which helps. I have a tiny stockman which I could never take to. Could only use 3 fingers to hold it!

My Opinel came to me used and the handle was a mess. Sanded it down clean and applied numerous coats of Tung Oil. It's a wonderful knife to handle.

Regarding the carbon steel, I love it. Patina doesn't bother me, in fact I like it.

But.... The Opinel is a food slicer, not a utility knife. Not even close. Most days, I reach for my Schrade 5OT instead. The 5OT is a bit smaller but has a decent lock back design. When dealing with day-to-day chores like cutting down boxes or punching through hard shell plastic consumer packaging, I want the 5OT in my hand, not my Opinel. I've had too many close calls with the lock ring slipping and given how sharp of an edge that blade takes!!! Yikes!!

I'm going backpacking this weekend. Ounces add up to pounds and setting aside he-man live off the land dreams, my primary use for a knife on such trips is cutting cheese and meat and meal time. The Opinel will go on that trip.
 
I love Opinels. A #8 with stainless steel is always with me when I go camping and I use it for food processing. I've got one in the kitchen too. A #7 with carbon steel is in my EDC rotation and is used for all things I need a knife for. It's light and I just love wooden handles.
 
The only caveat I'll add is, the Walnut handle version (and other 'upgraded' handles of anything other than beech) will only come with the stainless blade, and only in the No. 6 or No. 8 sizes. Carbon-bladed models are exclusively handled in the (orange) varnished beech. Having said that, the stainless (Sandvik 12C27Mod) is excellent.

As others have said, you really can't go wrong for the money. These are great using knives. :thumbup:
 
Hi guys,

I got a # 6 and a # 8 in carbon steel. I use it (sometimes) for EDC. The handles shouldn´t become wet, because they´ll get thicker. So the knife couldn´t be opened or closed.

BUT: Opinels get a very very razorsharp edge, cutting-monster so to say.
I like them, they are very cheap and none gets scared if you use it when a lot of people are around. The lock (so called Vibrolock) works good. If you want, you can modify your Opinel. Putting a thumpstub on it and so on...

I hope it could help you a little bit!

Kind regards
Andi
 
They carry the same so it doesn't matter much! I think I slightly prefer the #8. Here is my #7 and #8 togeather.....
005-8.jpg
 
FYI, to anyone interested, I picked up a set of snap-ring pliers a few days ago. These are PERFECT for removing & reinstalling the locking ring on Opi's. The jaws open up when the handles are squeezed (although the removable/switchable jaws can be installed to do the opposite, as with ordinary pliers). The set came with 4 different jaws; the one pictured is a 45 degree bend, which seems to be perfect for this task. :)
 
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In the sub 20 $ range you absolutely can't go wrong with an opinel I've used both the carbon and stainless and both can get very very sharp also the blade geometry is perfect for foodstuff and lighter task as others have stated they aren't indestructable.
 
I do love my Opinel, and for the price, its few flaws just don't matter. It's true- the handle can be slippery, especially when your hands are bloody, and the wood does swell. This makes it hard to open and close, and even harder to lock and unlock. I solved that problem by working some WD-40 into the lock, although I suspect gun oil might have been a better choice. Still, the thin blade takes one hell of an edge, and it's the lightest knife of its blade length that I've ever handled. Don't go crazy abusing it, but if you want it for light work- even as rough as cleaning small game- this is a great knife.
 
pinnah said:
I've had too many close calls with the lock ring slipping and given how sharp of an edge that blade takes!!! Yikes!!
Click to expand...

I had this problem before with a No9. I popped the ring off and gave it a little squeeze to tighten it up. Take it easy since a little bit goes a long way. I overdid it on my first try and had to take the ring off again to bend it back some. It's been nice and snug ever since.
 
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