Opinions of Opinels?

C

CShepherd

Joined
Feb 27, 2006
Messages
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Hello all,

Since the search function isn't working, and I haven't had the money yet to upgrade my membership, thought I would start a new thread.

I've always been curious about the Opinel knives and just recently purchased one of the 084 (stainless blade). I'll admit it is a bit thinner blade than I'm used too but boy does this thing slice. Couldn't beat the price but I did find that I didn't like the handle much so I put it to the belt sander and reshaped it a bit. I'll post a pic tonight of how it looks now. Definitely feels much better.

So, here's my question. What do you all think of these knives? Do they seem to hold up for general use, specifically for outdoor use? Granted, I know I'm not going to use it for batoning or any really hard use but they do seem like a decent knife for the money. Sort of like the Mora of the folding knife world.

Also, anyone else modify their Opinels?

Thanks,

Charlie
 
They're excellent knives, like Moras, for the price and are great for general use. They are the most practical knives, along with Victorinox, that I have ever used. They are a little ugly like most practical tools are. I'd rather take the practical and leave all the pretty crap at home when I hit the woods.
 
Great knives. Always have a few around. The #6 makes a nice light EDC, even for office carry. The #8 isn't bad for food prep, at home or in the field. The perfect picnic knife.

There are other handle shapes. The Garden and Filet knives have a down-turned butt, and the Garden knife is a spearpoint, too.

Reshaping the handle is popular. Also, removing the hardware and soaking the handle in oil to preseve and waterproof it. One defect of the untreated Opinel is a problem of sticking when the pivot area gets wet. I find just dripping a bit of mineral oil into the pivot will do fine.

You can also sand the handle down and recolor it or use a woodburner to etch designs in it.
 
Esav,

I saw the Garden Knife online. Great looking knife. Really like the spear point.

Basically I rounded the back heel of the handle to get rid of the bump, it didn't sit right in my hand. I also flattened the sides slightly to get rid of the round profile. I don't like the feel of round handles at all. Other than that I have sanded off the varnish and put on a good tung oil finish.

Charlie
 
Opinel knives are nice, cheap, effective, disposable tools. Some folks really go all out modifying them. Most I ever do is the mineral oil treatment, just to help waterproof the wood.

The blades do tend to be thin. This is a blessing in disguise. Modern knife consumers seem to be conditioned to believe "thick blade=better knife". IMO, Opinel is surprisingly one of the few manufacturers who get blade profile right. More than a few times, I've taken much more expensive knives to the grindstone to resemble the profile Opinels have right out of the box. Rather than trying to sate the prying urge or the Rambo aesthetic, these things are designed to cut.
 
CShepherd said:
I'll admit it is a bit thinner blade than I'm used too but boy does this thing slice.
Click to expand...


The thin bladed knives tend to perform that way don't they? I was pretty suprised too when I first got into thinner blades.


CShepherd said:
So, here's my question. What do you all think of these knives? Do they seem to hold up for general use, specifically for outdoor use? Granted, I know I'm not going to use it for batoning or any really hard use but they do seem like a decent knife for the money. Sort of like the Mora of the folding knife world.

Also, anyone else modify their Opinels?

Thanks,

Charlie
Click to expand...

Love em. Love to mod em. Use em. Loose em... Ok too. All goodl
 
I like everything about them except the steel. I wish they used something a little more wear resistant, mine don't keep an edge long. Other than that, they're fun to use.
 
I remember having them as a kid because they were cheap and well made. I have two on the way, a No 7 and a garden knife which is about the same size. For the price they are great and it will be fun to modify them.
 
We've got a few around the house but my favourite is my special-edition #8 in stainless steel with olive-wood handle and a nice little sheath. It goes everywhere with me. This one here...
 
Got a chance to snap a pic of the mods I did.

Opinel084modsmall.jpg


You can't see in the pic but like I mentioned I flattened the slides with a slight taper towards the bottom. Really sits nice and securely in the hand now. While it's not the strongest knife I own it certainly is a lot of fun to use.

Anyone else got pics of their mods? I will be getting an 06 tomorrow to modify as well. Probably but a walnut stain on the wood of this one.

Charlie
 
i have a #7 and love it. cuts like a dream, and it destroys boxes like no other.

i plan on picking up a few more very soon. maybe get a few of the larger sizes. the #7 fills my hand plenty well, but i think a larger size would fit me better. (my hands have been compared to slabs of beef)

honestly, it doesn't get much better than an opinel in terms of cutting efficiency. thin stock, full height nearly flat-convex grind, comfy fully round grips (unlike many of the thin boxy handles of alot of knives) and ultra light weight. i often have to check my pocket to make sure i haven't dropped it.
 
Some time ago, I asked if I should get an opinel in this thread

Since then, I got a no. 8 Garden Knife and an olive handled no. 8, both objects of beauty :)

The olive handled regular model does not open and close as smoothly as the garden model, and I foresee the opening/closing problems associated with humidity. Despite this, I really like 'em. They're lightweight and as everyone says, very sharp. The thin blade and wooden handle do not make them suitable for hard core survival use , IMO, but I doubt I will have to use them in that situation (and I doubt most of the population will be either). I also find them aesthetically pleasing. Maybe that's why an opinel is in the New York's Museum of Modern Art (so the internet says):thumbup:
 
I have four or five. I really love them. Of course I am cheap so Opinels and Mora's are my cup of tea.
 
Magnum22 said:
the opinel website says the garden folder is thicker. they mean stock or breadth?
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I can't imagine what they are referring to. I just took them out and checked, and both my #8 and garden knife are exactly the same thickness of stock and breadth of blade, and even the handles are essentially the same diameter, allowing for the different shapes.
 
Reliable knives and the pocket saw model is a must for a longer trek.

Consider the models with African hardwood handles (Bubinga) or Oak or Walnut as an alternative,bit tougher. www.opinel.fr
 
CShepherd said:
Got a chance to snap a pic of the mods I did.

Opinel084modsmall.jpg


You can't see in the pic but like I mentioned I flattened the slides with a slight taper towards the bottom. Really sits nice and securely in the hand now. While it's not the strongest knife I own it certainly is a lot of fun to use.

Anyone else got pics of their mods? I will be getting an 06 tomorrow to modify as well. Probably but a walnut stain on the wood of this one.

Charlie
Click to expand...

Good job on your handle, Charlie. :thumbup:
 
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