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Opinel's
- Thread starter BJE
- Start date
They are one of the best values in the knife world, and will cut better than some 300$ knives.
Most people find #8 or 9 to be the ideal size. I have an 8 and 10 I EDC, the 10 has a slightly thicker and wider blade, with more hand space. I like its grip better, but the 8 works well too.
The locks are good in that they lock the blade both open and closed and you will not accidently unlock them. They can take some stabbing and such, but they are definately not going to be the strongest locks you'll find. If lock strength is crucial to you, these might fail you in hard use. I've stabbed them into trees and done all sorts of things with them and they hold up fine for me though, I've never had any strength issues. No play on any of mine at all.
The knife can take a decent amount of tourqing, but overall I'd keep an eye on it if you're doing prying and tourqing motions, it does have its limits in this regard. They're more of a pure slicing tool in that aspect. The blades are thin with a full flat grind, making them superb for things like peeling carrots and carving wood. There are few knives at any price point with as effective cutting geometry and grinds as an Opinel.
Overall durability is not as high as some knives, but it's strong enough to take some chopping at wood and to be batoned through anything the blade is long enough to be hammered through (Keeping the lock disengaged). I've never had a task personally that these could not handle, but my experiences are not the same as others.
Most people find #8 or 9 to be the ideal size. I have an 8 and 10 I EDC, the 10 has a slightly thicker and wider blade, with more hand space. I like its grip better, but the 8 works well too.
The locks are good in that they lock the blade both open and closed and you will not accidently unlock them. They can take some stabbing and such, but they are definately not going to be the strongest locks you'll find. If lock strength is crucial to you, these might fail you in hard use. I've stabbed them into trees and done all sorts of things with them and they hold up fine for me though, I've never had any strength issues. No play on any of mine at all.
The knife can take a decent amount of tourqing, but overall I'd keep an eye on it if you're doing prying and tourqing motions, it does have its limits in this regard. They're more of a pure slicing tool in that aspect. The blades are thin with a full flat grind, making them superb for things like peeling carrots and carving wood. There are few knives at any price point with as effective cutting geometry and grinds as an Opinel.
Overall durability is not as high as some knives, but it's strong enough to take some chopping at wood and to be batoned through anything the blade is long enough to be hammered through (Keeping the lock disengaged). I've never had a task personally that these could not handle, but my experiences are not the same as others.
- Joined
- Aug 20, 2005
- Messages
- 1,067
I like mine. I plan to get different sizes eventually. I use mine mainly to cut food. It's a fun knife. They are very inexpensive but not cheap in quality. The convex edge is what makes it such a great slicer if I remember correctly. I'd advise just buying one in the size you like. If you don't like it, you haven't spent more than maybe $15.
Opinels are highly respected in the knife world. They are extremely inexpensive, and the carbon steel models, especially, cut very well. The stainless models are not bad cutters either.
They are, however, not heavy duty knives.
The lock and pivot are not all that strong, the blade is very thin (which aids the good cutting), and the wooden handle (though not the weak link in the chain) is not very tough and can swell/shrink if you do not seal it.
They are good at doing cutting tasks, and so inexpensive that they are basically disposable. They are not "do it all and last a lifetime" folders like a Sebenza (which is more expensive by a large margin).
They are, however, not heavy duty knives.
The lock and pivot are not all that strong, the blade is very thin (which aids the good cutting), and the wooden handle (though not the weak link in the chain) is not very tough and can swell/shrink if you do not seal it.
They are good at doing cutting tasks, and so inexpensive that they are basically disposable. They are not "do it all and last a lifetime" folders like a Sebenza (which is more expensive by a large margin).
Opinels are okay....they get alot of praise here on the forum and I have owne a couple myself, but they are only "okay".
My biggest complaint with the Opinel is that when the handle swells, due to humidity I suppose, the blade can be very difficult to open and close.
The carbon steel blade on the one I had also had a chipping problem.
My biggest complaint with the Opinel is that when the handle swells, due to humidity I suppose, the blade can be very difficult to open and close.
The carbon steel blade on the one I had also had a chipping problem.
Vivi just about covered it all for the Opinel. I have a # 6, # 8, #9, and a # 12. I will say they cut great but, are not made for abuse like prying or twisting etc. They will swell shut in very wet/humid conditions. Overall though the Opinel is a great knife for the money! JMHO
They are not tactical knives, they are not tools you can "abuse". But hey, there is not such thing as a knife that does every task, in that case everyone here would only have one knife 
Very sheeple friendlys. I always have one with me, it's my food cutter. For that task it's the perfect knife to carry.
BUT
Their stainless steel is crappy, get one in Carbon Steel.
BJE, what blade size are you looking for?
Very sheeple friendlys. I always have one with me, it's my food cutter. For that task it's the perfect knife to carry.
BUT
Their stainless steel is crappy, get one in Carbon Steel.
BJE, what blade size are you looking for?
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
I think someone said they are using 12C27 for their stainless blades now, which isn't bad at all.
Esav Benyamin said:
Well I don't know how old was the one I handles, but at the beginning of this summer, I bought 2, one for me and one for one of my friend, mine cas carbon steel en my friend's was Stainless. There was good difference between the 2, even after being sharpened, mine was sharper.
12c27 is what my Laguiole is made of, it's a good one, but for Opinels, I would still go with carbon steel, and it's cheaper
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
They are very nice wood working and general utility knives in terms of cutting ability and ergonomics. They also use very nice steels for high sharpness and edge holding. They could be a lot harder of course with a more optimal heat treatment.
They are fairly secure but among the weakest locks, you can either pop the ring off or just compress the wood readily. Even the low end back locks and liners are way stronger.
They are supposed to be light convex but I have seen them flat on one side and light convex on the other. The initial sharpness is usually low and like Mora's will generally benefit from a full sharpening not just a light crock-stick pass.
-Cliff
Vivi said:
They are fairly secure but among the weakest locks, you can either pop the ring off or just compress the wood readily. Even the low end back locks and liners are way stronger.
They are supposed to be light convex but I have seen them flat on one side and light convex on the other. The initial sharpness is usually low and like Mora's will generally benefit from a full sharpening not just a light crock-stick pass.
-Cliff
Hmm, mine appear to be flat rather than convexed, but I could be wrong. I'm just eyeballing them.
All the new Opinels I've gotten did need a better edge put on them to show their true ability. Oh well, I don't mind. It's a quick task with these steels.
All the new Opinels I've gotten did need a better edge put on them to show their true ability. Oh well, I don't mind. It's a quick task with these steels.
Cliff Stamp
BANNED
- Joined
- Oct 5, 1998
- Messages
- 17,562
Put a ruler on them, the curvature is really slight.
-Cliff
-Cliff
I have an Opinel #8 which I spiffed up a tiny bit by sanding the orignial orange wax and logo off the handle. A coat or three of Tung Oil has increased the charm of the knife significantly, as has the patina I've been developing on it. Very nice slicer, pretty easy to sharpen - I'm quite content with it. Amazing value.
I have liked Opinel knives for a while, and started buying them last year. They are prety good knives, and the Brevette locks are very solid. They also function as a safety, and prevent the blade from opening when that is not intended. I have learned to operate my knife one handed, though it is unmodified. The blades are thin, but the carbon steel blade holds well despite tarnishing. The handles do swell in the Summer, when it is hot and humid, and makes the blade and lock harer to work. I like the 6 and 7's.BJE said:
