Reflections on Opinels.

[jackknife]

I was really suprised at how much i bonded with my number 7. Its been carried and used a lot and impressed my enough that i bought another, a number 10. I have the number 7 for edc and the 10 for woods walking adventures. Which ever one i am carrying they are always pared with a sak.
The only hate i have for my Opinels is when i think about all the other knives i have and all the money i have tied up in them and how none of then cut as well as an Opinel. Makes me a little pissed at the humble Opinel. Other than hunting / game proccesing duties a Opinel will do everything i need.
I still carry and use other knives but my Opinels get a fair amount of pocket time and i really enjoy them.

Your post is a great reminder of how I often overlooked a wonderful tool in my younger days because I was so in search of the 'better' mouse trap, that I overlooked the mundane that worked well. Being a knife nut (or motorcycle nut, gun nut, or any other kind of obsessive nut) too often makes us loose sight of reality. I look back on my pre-knife nut days when I carried a nice little Buck 301 stockman for over 20 year as my sole edc, and got by fine. I did have some high end sheath knives, and a few Randall's amount them. In my younger single days in the army, when I had more disposable income, I had picked up a few of the Randall's in the faith that they were the end all of knives.

My first was a model 14 which was a big clumsy knife, so it got put up and I bought a smaller Randall hunter. Imagine my shock when it didn't live up to it's hype. On field dressing a nice size buck on opening day, it didn't perform as well as my friends beat up old Frosts mora. I also had an expensive Barry Wood folder that didn't perform as well as the Buck 301 or the Opinel. The sole benefit of the high dollar knives was, I got oct of my money back when I sold them all off to others who were still believers of the hype.

The more I carried the Opinel, the more it served as a lesson and reminder of the real world. You can buy fancier knives than a mora or Opinel, but will they really work any better?

 

[jackknife]

Carl,

I resonate with the love 'em, hate 'em aspect.

They are the most functional knife I own, no question. But man, they're fiddly. They take a lot of work to get just so. Worth it, yes. Certainly worth it. But still fiddly.

More deeply, there's just something about them that doesn't scratch my mid-western sensibility like a good ole Buck 110. I grew up with Fords and Chevys, not Citroens and Peugeots. Something deeply childish in my soul giggles when my Buck 110 clacks open with authority and the Opinel just doesn't do that for me.

But you know... in the end, I'm a sucker for functionality. Wrapped presents today. Sliced wrapping paper like a light sabre. Great knife in the kitchen. Carried on most every backpacking trip. It's the knife I'll reach for when going on a trip.

Change is hard.

Now there's where we must agree to disagree; I am probably one of the two people on this planet that this the Buck 110 is the most ridiculous knife ever made. Why oh why do you have a knife with one angle blade that weighs what a small pistol or large mutlitool does?

I don't mind a little bit of fiddly, kind of gives it some character. Like an old PX model Vespa or old VW bug that I drove for many years. But with fiddly must, MUST, comes function at it's intended task. If its a car, it must transport you well. If it's a knife, then it must cut as best it can. And cutting is what traditional knives do well and Opinel does with an almost sensual pleasure as it whispers through box tops, cord, paper wrapping, and meat at a BBQ. A few weeks ago I was at a backyard BBQ, an almost religious event here in Texas. I had a some ribs on my paper plate and I used the number 8 Opinel to slice the ribs into eatable pieces. Starting at the base of the blade and using a nice gentle draw cut all the way to the tip, it just went down through the very well cook ribs like magic. One of my neighbors watched and asked me, "Okay son, what the heck kind of knife you got there?"

I handed him the Opinel, and he went to slice off the butt end of a well cooked brisket. The blade slid down and he used a gentle back and forth moton and not a shred of outer crust flaked off. "Huh!" was the comment. The Opinel made a big impression on some Texas folk who had never seen one before. It redeemed me somewhat from the shame of having a Glock at a BBQ. I had been totally unaware of a Texas custom of BBQ guns. I had been told to wear my gun to the BBQ, but I was completely ignorant of the fact that the BBQ is fancy gun time. Kind of like a black tie at a formal event. Apparenty at a BBQ your supposed to wear a nice 1911 or some well finished classic. My one neighbor had a Kimber with stag handles, another had a nice Springfield Arms 1911, and another guy had a nice old Smith and Wesson N frame .357 with some engraving on the frame and some very nice rosewood custom grips. I was made fun of in a friendly way, with Morris poking Bill in the ribs and asking in a stage whisper, "Why's he carrying that Glock?"

Bill answered in a stage whisper, "Oh, he's from back east. "

"Oh."

They liked the Opinel, but I think I may have to get a 1911 to fit in down here.

 

[Wrangoslash]

I've been EDCing a #10 for a week or so now, vertical next to my wallet. I like the idea of having a more formidable blade on to go with my medium Stockman. They have wonderful blades!

 

[ThePeacent]

These are most probably the epitome of "opposite knives", but gosh I love them both!
All in them is different, other than the fact they fold and lock, but in the end they bring some fun in carry and use this Christmas :thumbup:

Gotta love high tech toiys, and good old working tools. Carl, love reading your stories and thoughts
Merry Christmas to all Opi fans, and knife nuts in general!!

 

[jackknife]

These are most probably the epitome of "opposite knives", but gosh I love them both!
All in them is different, other than the fact they fold and lock, but in the end they bring some fun in carry and use this Christmas :thumbup:

Gotta love high tech toiys, and good old working tools. Carl, love reading your stories and thoughts
Merry Christmas to all Opi fans, and knife nuts in general!!

How small is that Opinel, or how big is that folding machete you have there??!!

Is there still any of the real antique navaja's around your neck of the woods, or are that all in museums and collections by now. One of my favorite old movies is Frank Sinatra in "The Pride And The Passion." They had some really big navaja's in there. Very cool.

 

[cchu518]

...how small is that Opinel, or how big is that folding machete you have there??!!

Is there still any of the real antique navaja's around your neck of the woods, or are that all in museums and collections by now. One of my favorite old movies is Frank Sinatra in "The Pride And The Passion." They had some really big navaja's in there. Very cool.

I think that is the Espada XL, 9 inch handle and 7 inch blade by Cold Steel.

Sent from my SM-G930V using Tapatalk

 

[5K Qs]

I've loved and hated them. ... But they cut like the dickens.
...
the Opinel is the best of both worlds in some ways. Lots of choices for size, handle material, and potential for customizing with some sandpaper and stain. In a way, an Opinel is like a blank canvas ready to be whatever it's owner wants it to be. Filed and whittled into whatever shape is needed or wanted.
...
Between the Vic classic and Opinel, I do believe I've converted a legion of non knife people to the fold.
...

Carl, I'm certainly one of your converts to the sensibility of using simple, effective knives like the higonokami or Opinel. And, while I initially was quite frustrated with the swelling-handle-binding-blade nature of my "stock" Opinel #6, advice from you and davek14 led me to trying some Sno-Seal melted in the pivot area. Believe it or not, a single application has resulted in trouble-free operation of that knife ever since (more than 2 years now, knock on beechwood handles)! Opinels that I've subsequently bought immediately get the same treatment, with the same result, so the hate aspect of my relationship with Opinels has essentially disappeared.

I totally support your description of the Opinel as a blank canvas. I'm one of the least mechanically-inclined guys in the world, but even I was able to successfully modify my Opinel #6 when I got the urge to give it a whirl.

...
The more I carried the Opinel, the more it served as a lesson and reminder of the real world. You can buy fancier knives than a mora or Opinel, but will they really work any better?

This question (with "Mora or Opinel" often replaced with some other inexpensive, but not cheap, brand) is what drives all my knife purchases. I do wish that I could develop a reliable metric for evaluating how well a knife works. Then I could actually quantify whether, say, a GEC that may cost 10 or 15 times as much as, say, a Rough Rider in a similar pattern actually works 10 or 15 times better or has 10 or 15 times the "quality".
(Of course, the resale value of the more expensive knife will usually be 10 or 15 times higher, which is a factor to consider economically. But those purely cost considerations aren't as interesting to me as the more philosophical question of the relative quality/effectiveness of a pair of knives.)

- GT

 

[deltaboy]

Need to get another one .

 

[FelineGirl]

I received a new Opinel 7 in carbon yesterday. I think the 7 is perfect for my hand. It did a great job cutting up my apple tonight. Love it! My significant other has suddenly taken notice of my Opinels and now wants one. [emoji4] I could live without most of my knives, but I consider Opinels as essential.


Alex

 

[Henry Beige]

Indifference would be more like it for me. I never went through a hate phase with Opinels. I wasn't looking for anything better; they were just there, pretty much forgotten in motorcycle tool kits or luggage, slowly moldering until I needed a knife. I always thought the design was brilliantly simple, but that just meant I could afford to salt them throughout my riding gear.

It would never have occurred to me to try to modify one, in part because the mail-order experience was so drawn out. A replacement knife from LL Bean would come about as quick as a baking-soda frogman. If I wreck one now, a new one can be here in two days, and Opinels don't cost any more than they did in 1977.

Now that I know a little more about knives than I did then, I appreciate them even more.

 

[Mora2013]

The opinel 8 and 9 are my favorite knives to use, as they never disappoint. They're around the garage and house where they're used.

However, I've always chosen something shorter - And flatter to edc, in the <3.5in size, flatter handle profile. Maybe I need a no. 6, but from what I understand, a no 6 is already similar to a 2 layer cellidor sak, which is about max size forest for me.

 

[davek14]

I've bought a few again lately. I'm a little afraid I won't care for the new locking ring design. Most will go as gifts though.

I've not modified these other than waterproofing and maybe a lanyard hole. An Opinel is a cool hipster knife now as is, and the wheel goes round.

Got yin yang out the yin yang here.

I'll probably mod the handles on a couple. That can be done specifically to make them a bit more friendly to pocket carry. A number 6 is just a bit to big for watch pocket carry. Handle and slight blade modding will make for a nice little gentleman's knife I won't be afraid to take out almost anywhere.

Some here will remember how much I used to be able to tinker and make things at my workplace as a machinist. On my new, still machinist, gig this is less possible. I can still play, and the job is much better in many other ways, but I don't program my own stuff. So, less fun stuff and my tinkering is relegated to my unheated garage.

Anyways, I bought some more Opi's so that I would have something to fiddle with.

Dave(fiddler on the roof)k

 

[ThePeacent]

How small is that Opinel, or how big is that folding machete you have there??!!

Is there still any of the real antique navaja's around your neck of the woods, or are that all in museums and collections by now. One of my favorite old movies is Frank Sinatra in "The Pride And The Passion." They had some really big navaja's in there. Very cool.

They are still used, but mostly in rural areas. Cities give you everything pre-cut, pre-opened and pre-sliced so the "knife is a weapon" mmindset prevails, unfortunately. Even Douk-douks, Higonokamis, Opinels and anything bigger than a Vic Classic is frowned upon

The Navajas are a true tradition and nice thing from here, I have some of them, from the classic Pallares (handmade for decades 100km away from where I live)

to the bigger, meaner Navajas from ancient times.

They have that "feel" of good craftsmanship and simple yet effective design that brings a smile to your face everytime, you sure know what I mean :thumbup:

Modern folders, high-tech stuff and time proven designs, they all have their place in my collection. Merry Christmas and have a nice Holidays season!!!

 

[jackknife]

to the bigger, meaner Navajas from ancient times.

They have that "feel" of good craftsmanship and simple yet effective design that brings a smile to your face everytime, you sure know what I mean :thumbup:

Those old navaja's are so cool. About how old are they, like 1900's or even 1800's?

It's funny that back in the rural mostly agrarian life of a century or more ago, the overbuilt knives were not used. No matter if Opinel, Taramundi, Navaja, or American Barlow, all had thin nice cutting blades. A lesson in that. I guess they were not stabbing car doors back then!

 

[RDaneel]

Carl, I had given up on Opinels after the only one I had developed a not-going-to-unlock locking ring. I have just a minor bit of arthritis that I work hard at minimizing, but my no.8 became unusable for me.

After reading up on them again (in another thread) I got one of the slim models in stainless and couldn't be happier. It slices so well it surprises me every time I use it and the point is unbelievably sharp!

I'm also carrying a flashlight now due to one of your threads, but that is another story.

 

[jackknife]

Carl, I had given up on Opinels after the only one I had developed a not-going-to-unlock locking ring. I have just a minor bit of arthritis that I work hard at minimizing, but my no.8 became unusable for me.

After reading up on them again (in another thread) I got one of the slim models in stainless and couldn't be happier. It slices so well it surprises me every time I use it and the point is unbelievably sharp!

I'm also carrying a flashlight now due to one of your threads, but that is another story.

Hey bud, I know what you're talking about here! As an arthritis afflicted one myself, I've had to do a mod or two on the Opinels. To loosen it up a bit, take off the locking ring, and use a very large screw driver in the pivot area very carefully to "spread the inner bolsters a tiny bit. Try to twist a tiny bit at a time, trying it between. When it gets a bit easier to open, then out the locking ring back on. From expanding the locking ring enough to remove it from the knife amy just loosen it up enough that it now will turn very easy. I've done mine so that when I pull open the blade, I can just brush my thumb over on the ring and turn it enough to lock the blade. I also file the top edge of the locking ring so the bolster slides farther around the knife.

That's one of the advantages of the Opinel, it's easy to mess with so you can "fine tune it" to your own taste and needs.

Or…you can just remove the locking ring, snug up the action so you have a snug pull on the blade, and just use it like a slip joint with an easy spring. Or like a Sardinian Resolza that is a friction folder. As one afflicted with ostio-arthrisis in my hands, I am becoming much more enamored of friction folders than ever. Opinels, resolza's, Higonokami's all are wonderful little cutters that are under appreciated by a lot of people.

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[ThePeacent]

Great pair of completely opposite blades here, both excellent at food prep for different reasons!

 

[JupiterPaladin]

Opinel are a tremendous value and never disappoint! I'm still sad that my friend Shawn let my dad's Opinel #8 roll off the boat on the Ohio River. Boo! That was 25 years ago. We'd still be using it!

 

[Woodrow F Call]

I found myself carrying the Opinel recently. Really a great knife. I find I like the locking ring for when it rides in the pocket. Anyone had any issues with the Opi opening on them in the pocket?

Also, what size do you carry normally. Mine is an 8, but I'm thinking about going smaller.

 

[Jolipapa]

...Anyone had any issues with the Opi opening on them in the pocket?...

Since they were first made, never had any report of anything like that. But, as new times asks always to renew things, they made the lockring work both ways, opened and closed. Now any chance of piercing family jewels is just a bad nightmare...