Opinels

Thank you. I like to keep the Opinel on the handle but there was no way. The Olive is real nice looking wood.
 
Look what the mailman just brought! It's very similar to the one edbeau posted a few weeks back, with a slightly different blade stamp.
It's a carbon No. 8, just like one you'd buy today. Although this one is surprisingly orange in color. It's almost too nice to use. Almost...

earlywintersopinel.jpg
 
Oh wow! The Early Winters box is to die for. Just fantastic.

Anybody remember their line of tents, all of which had the word tent in them, like the Omnipo Tent?

Not only did they start the importation of Opinels but they had the first GoreTex jacket, if I recall correctly.

Ah yes...
http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Early_winters

I don't collect but even I would put that one up.

Could you scan and post the catalog page?
 
My last Opinel bought is a N.8 bubinga effile.
I like it , but I'd like to have more thickness in that blades. At least the thickness of the carbon ones
.:)
 
Pinnah, I took pictures of the paperwork in the box. Will post it tonight when I get home.
 
Waltmc, The handle stamp is the old one with the writing in the rectangle. Also the blade stamp is the old one. I think that the color is because of the type of varnish that is used changes colors with age. It does look good, good find.
 
I really like the stamping and color of that one waltmc! My Old #8, #8 budinga and # 7 jeffknife. I gave my #6 rosewood to the better half for part of her Christmas. It was just too small for my fat hand!
 
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Pinnah: It's a keeper! I don't have access to a scanner right now, but will try my hand at photographing the paperwork. Standby...

edbeau: Thanks! I found a guide to the markings on a French website, and this one is a little older than I thought, from before 1980. It's a pretty good specimen.

Peter: That red and green combo is nice!

I took a chance that this might be rusty or something, but it's basically brand new. Ah the paradox of mass production. This knife is just like millions of others--there is nothing special about it at all. Except that it has evaded use for thirty-some years and now the humble peasant tool seems almost too nice to use. There's an irony here...

And it arrived at the same time I got word that I got my (almost) dream job! So, I kinda want to use it as a good luck charm. Some French peasant is rolling his eyes right now!
 
Here is the paperwork that is inside of the box. It is only one sheet of very heavy stock.

Outside


Inside


I also just received my newest Opinel a No. 12 Carbone. Pictures to follow
 
Ed, does that insert use only one color of ink throughout? I'll have to post some full pics of mine--it uses reddish ink on the bold parts (as seen above). Otherwise, it appears to be the same. I enjoy looking for these kinds of productions changes.
Thank you for posting those pictures!
 
waltmc, yes just one color those are color pictures so you can see the paper is not white and it is very thick paper.

I have some pictures of my latest Opinel (now 24). It is a No. 12 Carbone and in the pictures I have it with a No. 6 Carbone so you can see the size difference. It is one huge knife.



 
Love what ya did with that Slim 10 Olive wood, very nice, but, that #12, it may seem big, but come on, that's not a knife, at least not like my #13
Along side of my Bubinga Slim #8, nice EDC carry lol

Opinel_choices.jpg


G2
 
wow, I can't imagine what a #15 would be like, it better come with a small wheel on the one end! ;)

Here's that #13 opened up, boy does it cut well, I use this more than one would expect, as the long blade helps when slicing through thick/wide foam packing material.

no_13.jpg


G2
 
I have a #15 slim, its nowhere as big as that #13. Local place has a #13, Id like to have it, but its over $100. Too much for me right now for something that will never be used. This is my #15 with a #8 and #8

IMG_3065%20copy.jpg
 
pretty stuff there!

I was surprised at the cutting power of that big folder, we burn wood at home and I slice up a LOT of cardboard to help get fires started and this thing just powers through them, wide thin blade, large handle that promotes powerful cutting power, and as I said it also helps when I have to slice off a layer of some packing foam, a large knife makes that cleaner and easier, so, no, it really isn't an EDC but I do use it at home a lot.

Opinel_13_lock.jpg


G2
 
Thanks edbeau,I've had the 7 for about 20 years. Broke the tip off and threw it in the toolbox it rusted up and I could barely open it. about 5 years ago I dug it out and reworked it. I really like Opinel knives they just do their job and ask for more.Sadly right now i have this mental block that only lets me carry U.S.A. made knives (good thing I have around 200).
 
I recognized the tip shape as being one that was redone. I have bought a few with broken tips and with my Lansky have redone the tip to be a lot less pointy than out of the box.

The Robinson is interesting. Where is it made?
 
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