OPINELS made in China ?

H

HARDBALL

Joined
May 6, 2001
Messages
930
Hi all,

Could someone please explain why several "on line" Knife stores list for the COUNTRY OF ORIGIN as CHINA for (some models) of Opinel Knives ? I've noticed that (for instance) the SLIM LINE NO. 12 Opinel is listed as CHINA as Country of Origin. I have found this on two different sites. I called Opinel USA in CT and was told that NO Opinel knives are made in China. So, if that's the case.....what's up ? I was also told that NO Opinel knives are suppose to be sold for a lower price than that of the Distributor (Opinel USA). My only other guess is that Opinel (in France) is selling their knives to China (on the cheap) which are then re-imported back to the USA to be sold for a lower price than the USA Distributor ? I dunno, just a WAG.

HARDBALL
 
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Do the knives in question say China on them? It's probably just an error on the part of the retailers.
 
Hi Big,

I haven't seen the knives personally but....this is the second Web site I've been to that list the Opinel NO.12 Slimline as China for Country of Origin.

HARDBALL
 
You could contact Opinel USA at sales@opinel-usa.com and ask if what those etailers are listing is correct? Make sure you provide them with links. Like Bigfatts said it could just be a mistake on the etailers' part.
 
I'd be pretty confident that the answer to this is exactly the same as the huge number of Chinese made Buck knife that are FAKES!!!!


China has not intellectual property protection and they crank out huge number of fakes and knock-offs of major brands from watches to knives to electronics and software.


Awful, isn't it.

The Buck subforum has a sticky dedicated to identifying FAKE Bucks and the US based vendors who import them.
 
Could it be that these are counterfeit? Boy, these days you have to watch your step. Just another landmine in the world of cutlery!
 
Hi guys,

Yes indeed.....it's crazy! I did in fact contact OPINEL USA as well as the "on line" knife stores listing the questionable Opinel. I don't want to list the name of this WELL KNOWN knife dealer but....if you do a Google search for Opinel No. 12, one can find it rather quickly.

Overall Length: 10.75"
Blade Length: 4.875"
Cutting Edge: 4.625"
Blade Thickness: 0.06"
Blade Material: INOX
Blade Style: Trailing Point
Blade Grind: Flat
Blade Finish: Polished
Edge Type: Plain
Handle Length: 5.875"
Handle Thickness: 0.75"
Handle Material: Wood, Bubinga
Weight: 1.81 oz.
Knife Type: Manual
Opener: Nail Nick
Lock Type: Virobloc
Brand: Opinel
Model: 011
Country of Origin: China
Best Use: Everyday Carry, Kitchen

Related Categories:
Opinel (Pocket)
Opinel
Pocket Knives
Folding Knives
Knives
Description

This Opinel Slim #12 folder has a slightly flexible INOX stainless steel blade and Bubinga handle. Includes the Virobloc safety ring that locks the blade in the open and closed positions. This Opinel pocket knife is lightweight and inexpensive while displaying simple sophistication. All slim knives have a narrow flexible blade, the smallest ones are great to cut fruits and vegetable and the larger ones fillet fish. Please keep in mind that the Slim knives have a slightly flexible blade and are not designed to be use for heavy duty task.

Opinel USA tells me NO Opinels are made in China.....ummmmm.

HARDBALL
 
Either that website has a typo or is selling fakes.

These sites need to fill out info for thousands of knives, pretty easy to get writes crossed sometimes.
 
Hi Good,

Yea, that was my first thought.....it must be a mistake. So....I called the Store to inquire. I was told by the Salesman/Info person that the information listed is what they (the store) receives from the Manufacturer (or was it the Distributor) ? At any rate....I've seen at least TWO on line Knife Stores who list the same information on the NO. 12 Opinel. I can't believe that this (well known) Store would knowingly sell fakes. This store usually sells Blades (ahem) of HQ (high quality).

HARDBALL
 
Has to be a typo. Likely a copy/paste error where a template description was copied and they didn't edit the country of origin info. All Opinels are made in France.
 
Hi Benjamin,

Ummmm.....I guess that make sense. Still, I find it odd that neither of the two knife web stores picked up on this error. Thanks. I wouldn't want a Chinese made French knife.

HARDBALL
 
Well considering how low of a price they're already selling at I don't see any logical reason why people would decide to make fakes of Opinels. I've noticed that BladeHQ gets country of origin wrong on some of their listings too (like saying Japanese Spydercos are US made). I'd say it's probably a mistake.
 
China's been making some Opinel style knives for some time. I have a co worker who has one. Doesn't say Opinel on it, but it's a copy... I'm not surprised they are also making straight fakes with logos like yall are saying though.
 
Just pulled up their site and on the Opinel Slim line #12 it says country or origin China. ????
 
Hi all,

Stays Sharp.....please note that I am not saying China is (making fake or for that matter any) Opinel knives. I'm just saying that I've seen (on two web Knife Stores) that the Opinel NO. 12 Slim line Knife is listed as China as the Country of Origin. I think FortyTwoBlades answer is correct.....that is to say......"Likely a copy/paste error where a template description was copied and they didn't edit the country of origin info."

HARDBALL
 
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