Opinels: What purpose do they serve?

afishhunter said:
They cut stuff. What other purpose matters?
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1- feeling good
2- fondling
3- preparedness for whatevs
4- self protection
5- dog get off me
6- reminds me of grand pappy
7- loaner to buddy
8- forgetting that I will never be an astronaut when I'm playing with it
 
Brother, I am totally serious about the emotional anesthesia that knives can give us. Its the only explanation for why I have 150 of them. Opinels have their own flavor of good vibes that they give us.
 
I picked up my Opinel as a beater knife to take along on official Boy Scout trips. Can't take my usual puukko along as it is a fixed blade and they are a no-go on official Scout trips. My Opinel works better at whittling/wood carving tasks than any of my other folders.
 
I carried one for years working in the outdoors as an archaeologist, so I know for a fact they are excellent for hiking and backpacking.

But in general their primary purpose is Cutting Things, a task they are exceptionally good at. :cool:
 
steve-in-kville said:
Just ordered two (slim N10 & VRN6) just to see what the fuss is about. Appear to be nifty knives. The slim may become my "Sunday" knife, provided it is what it appears to be on the interwebs!

So what do you use your Opinels for?
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They are great slicers

Please post YOUR impressions after you get to test drive the two you just purchased
 
I should explain. I am curious as why a knife whose price averages about $10 gets such a following. That's the purpose for this thread. Gotta be something to it.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I should explain. I am curious as why a knife whose price averages about $10 gets such a following. That's the purpose for this thread. Gotta be something to it.
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In all honesty, for the same reasons posted above. Price does not determine value imo.
 
I actually just ordered a few of these, can't wait to try them out. My uncle always carried a #8 as a beater/back up on our deer hunting trips into the north woods when I was a kid. His 110 was lost (and subsequently recovered the next day), and he used it to dress a deer. It worked very well and excelled in pretty much all cutting tasks needed that day. Even as a kid I was very impressed, and honestly I can't believe they've been off my radar for so many years. And yes, I did go with carbon steel, the classic way to go IMO. I just wish they had a lanyard hole...but I suppose a drill could fix that. Any of you ever done that?
 
Underrated, probably because they are cheap. Great knife to have around. I have one in the tackle box, camping gear, hiking pack, glove box etc. You can also use them to "try stuff" if you're into customizing. ImageUploadedByTapatalk1444009535.254751.jpg
 
Btw, a guy came up to me after a show and gave me a beautiful Rattlesnake strap for my guitar. He told me that his brother had ordered an Opinel from me and he had skinned 13 snakes with it on the first day he owned it. They can do a lot.
 
With the exception of SAKs, I honestly can't think of a better useability to cost ratio than what you get with any of the basic Opinels, especially the Nos. 6, 7, and 8.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I should explain. I am curious as why a knife whose price averages about $10 gets such a following. That's the purpose for this thread. Gotta be something to it.
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Why? Well, it's about the best "bang for the buck" in the knife industry. Everybody likes a good deal.
 
steve-in-kville said:
I should explain. I am curious as why a knife whose price averages about $10 gets such a following. That's the purpose for this thread. Gotta be something to it.
Click to expand...

I own several, have given several more away and have one with me quite often. I use my no.8 carbone to slice my apple at work every day as well as light office use (eg opening paper boxes). They also see use in the garden, camping, picnics etc.

They are simply an excellent design. Once sharpened the thin convex blade (it looks flat ground but isn't ) is the best slicer I have ever used. The ergonomics are excellent, I like the aesthetic and the rest is as good as it needs to be. They're excellent value at twice the price (which they sometimes cost here Down Under).
 
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