Opinels: what do YOU do with 'em?

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the opinel is the one in the middle.

last saturday my buddy at work left his machete in the truck so i loaned him that opinel so he could cut some vines and crap like that out of his way while we were looking for a drain pipe in some woods. i think the knife came through the ordeal ok.
 
I was at a local sporting goods chain and saw something familiar marketed by Coghlan's as a camp knife. Sure enough, it was a No 7 with OPINEL CARBONE and the hand with crown logo on the blade. Great knife, great price.
 
I've used my Opinel #6 Carbon as a steak knife, it sliced through that steak like a hot knife through butter! My stainless #8 with walnut handle may be an even better choice for food prep and it is a beautiful knife! My #9 carbon has a nice patina developing on it due to the use I've put it through, mainly in the kitchen.

I think that these knives are pretty special - they are easily capable of handling a very wide range of normal knife tasks and doing a damn good job of it too.
I like sharpening (I probably spend more time sharpening knives than using them) so edge retention isn't an issue for me. The carbon blades take a great edge and hold it reasonable well.

I like the cheap & simple design of the Opinel - what is it, 4 parts?
I think Opinel make a great example of 'cheap but NOT junk'.

If someone on a tight budget wants a folding knife to slip into their pocket that will handle all general knife tasks then why not Opinel? Just like a Mora for a cheap fixed blade that will handle general knife tasks or a Victorinox for a cheap multi-tool that will handle a huge range of day-to-day tool tasks.
I for one welcome the great budget options from Europe!
For fifty bucks you could get a nice Mora fixed blade AND Opinel folding knife AND Victorinox SAK AND have enough money left over for a decent lunch!
 
i had an "artist edition" Opinel from 1997, painted by "billow" or something like that. never used it, sold it to some guy from france , on ebay.
 
Same as others, but I always bring an opinel or a laguiole for dining out. almost all restaurants own very dull dining knives
 
I don't trust the material, or blade thickness, or the amount of material at the pivot to put opinels to hard use, but I think they are excellent slicers so I often use them for food prep.
having said that, I don't like EDCing them. While they are lightweight they are wide and uncomfortable to carry in my opinion, especially without pocket clips. I keep mine close to the kitchen or I toss one in my lunch sack or picnic basket or whatever else. so long as it isn't riding in my pocket its handy and light weight to bring places
 
Just curious--has anyone done destructive testing on a standard Opinel No.8?
 
No.7 and 8 Stainless are excellent food prep knives. Look really nice in this dark reddish Bubinga wood, an African hard wood I believe.

What I like about these knives is their genius simplicity and utility. There are no liners or springs to get messed up, no oiling needed (just grease the collar once in a while) the swivelling collar lock is safe simple and reliable. They fill the hand very well indeed and don't weigh much. Don't get wrecked if you drop them and MIGHT even float in water! As for so-called hard use, they can do most things but stick to hatchets for batoning etc.
 
I intend to use mine for everything. I just used it to eat my meal. That arises a question; I'm going to wash it a lot and maybe I'm going to dive with it or collect limpets from sea rocks. So, the blade is inox but what about the Vibrolock, outer and inner collars? That's why I choose the Outdoor #8, I don't want the handle to deform from water or absorb fluids and serrations help with certain materials.
 
Got an Opinel #8 carbon steel a few weeks ago. Simple knife & it sharpens up to a wicked edge easily. Took it on a Scout trip & it was great for whittling on some wood projects.
 
I guess you use an Opinel to carve an Opinel. Special chisels are prohibited. I have 2 set of chisels I didn't use for years. Maybe I could give it a try.
 
I was wondering when someone was going to post a modded Opinel handle. You can slim them down a bit by sanding or carving. Opinel even makes a slim model. The regular handle can be shaped like the slim models. Refinish the wood and you're ready to go.

Nice work I'mSoSharp.
 
I'mSoSharp said:
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The only problem with that is that it is so beautiful that I wouldn't want to use it.
My plain ol' #9 is very cheap & basic with a patina developing nicely, it is only worth a few bucks so I can treat it however I see fit - it is just a user knife.
In that picture are 2 absolutely gorgeous knives, I wouldn't feel nearly as comfortable using and abusing them.
 
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