Premium Opinels TOO cheap to import?

D

dsnw

Joined
Nov 10, 2001
Messages
16
Wow, Opinel makes knives like this?...

http://www.covecutlery.com/images/Opinel/Slim line bubinga.jpg

And they start at about $15? One of the 10 cm ones was delivered to my door recently. It's very nice - an excellent gents folder. Much better finished than the regular Opinels, and with lines that I consider to be very elegant. One of the 8 cm ones would be very light and small in the pocket. I know, no Talonite here, but they sharpen well and are tough enough for everyday tasks. The lock ring has an ingenious back notch that allows it to lock the knife closed as well as open. Its smooth and slender lines fit in the pocket better than the regular Opinels.

Turns out that Boker, the exclusive importer of Opinel, says that "America has little interest in the Opinel line beyond the basic models". My guess is that they don't want these knives next to theirs that cost 10x more. Thoughts? I have no affiliation with Cove Cutlery or Opinel.

Regards, Dave
 
Opinel makes a bout 500 different models.

Their main problem is that they are not tactical models - in the sense that they can not be opened using one hand - these are gentleman folders to be used in the leisure of the picnic - with a bottle of wine. Cheese and a baget...no hurry opening the knife there...

Oh - BTW - fine stell has been made in France long before that famous tea party...
 
I own an Opinel, and keep it in the picnic basket (collapsible cordura cooler). The main problem I see is that the lock must be manually engaged, which is very different from all other folding knives most average Americans are used to. People are familiar with either lockbacks or SAK's and other slipjoints that do not lock, but at least stay open when you open them. The Opinel adds another, annoyoing step. And to tell you the truth, I never trust the "lock". Basically it's just pushing against the blade as you twist, and I'm always afaraid it could rattle loose and turn down. If it had a positive stop or detent when locked, that would be a huge improvement.
 
Opinels have been in countless picnic baskets and tool box for dozens of years.

The fact some French man still hold their cigarettes between the original fingers probably mean these locks - however primitive- hold true. :)

At least in day to day use.

I wouldn’t try to fight someone with an Opinel. ..I'd rather use a FB for that anyway...

YMMV
 
Why import anything that will sell poorly??

Such is the case with these knives. Americans are as a
general rule in to much of a hurry or care more about
the "toy' factor than usefulness of a knife. Thus the
preferance for hi tech one hand wonder ninja killer
looking knives. Unless you're dangling from a rope
or are an EMT no one really needs a one hand knife.

There IS enough time to open a knife using both hands.
 
I'm neither an EMT nor hanging from a rope and I definitely need and a one-hander every day, and it has nothing to do with speed of opening. It is far more useful to have the option to open a knife with one hand than to not have it.
 
"Unless you're dangling from a rope
or are an EMT no one really needs a one hand knife."

What a silly statement.

Would you agree to these other equally silly statements?

"Unless you're a cop or a soldier, you don't need a gun"
"Unless you're a carpenter, you don't need a tool belt"
"Unless you're a teacher, you don't need a pencil"
"Unless you're a firefighter, you don't need a hose"

James Mattis said that except for romantic nostalgia, there is no reason for anyone to carry a two-handed knife.

I guess if you go through life with nothing in your hands, a two-hand knife meets all your needs, since you always have two free hands. But for most of us, we will have something in the other hand, like, oh I don't know - the thing you want to cut, perhaps? It is much more convenient, and sometimes imperative to hold onto the item while you open the knife, as opposed to putting the object down to find the nail notch in your Old Timer.
 
The slim line #8's are pretty standard up here. Maybe not the deluxe models but they come in both carbon and stainless.:D

If you use your Opinel enough it will become loose enough to open with one hand. Unlock, open, lock.
 
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