SAKS vs Opinel for EDC

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_Wraith

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I haven't decided which brand I like more so I thought I would ask you guys for your opinion. Which do you like better and why?
 
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I feel they serve different roles. Sak's are typically multi tools, while opinels are a blade. But personally, I like opinels more, as far as a blade goes.
 
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Opinel offers carbon steel blades. Hard to beat that at the price point. Better ergonomics than most (but not all) SAKs, too. They also tend to be cheaper than most SAKs (although some are certainly equivalent in price), but SAKs have other tools and often more than one blade.

I prefer Victorinox. My Opinel is an "around the house" knife for sure. It's awesome...but my SwissChamp is the one I carry often.

If we're talking about just the blade, however, the Opinel is definitely superior as far as I'm concerned.
 
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Always go with Opinel they are the best.



Oh . . . wait . . . I’m lying again

Looks like I got more Victorinox than Opinel (though I have a few more than just the one Opinel shown here).

They don’t really compare. Sort of like saying which is best; a Chevy pickup or a John Deer tractor.

The Victorinox are stainless steel multi tools for the most part, or survival pocket knives and the Opinels are super inexpensive (but very good) throw away picnic knives. Sure they make stainless steel blades as well.

Buy both I say; especially get a Victorinox Mechanic (or similar model) with the super precise little pliers. They are great.
 
I already have one of each and love them both. I just thought it would be interesting to see on you guys think.

Here is my Opinel no. 6 and my Victorinox hiker.

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I'm not sure the question has an answer. They are very different knives.
I use my Opinels for things I wouldn't use a Victorinox for. And vice versa.
 
_Wraith said:
Let me rephrase the question. Which one do you carry more often as an edc.
Click to expand...

SAKs without a doubt, there's always a Victorinox or Wenger in my pocket. I like Opinels a lot, but for the same amount of pocket space a two or three ayer SAK offers some extra tools that I use a lot.
 
I prefer the one that's lightweight, no-nonsense, cuts very well, and is easily sharpened...

IMG_0109_zpsevoiyzdp.jpg~original


;):D
 
As many have stated, they are both excellent knives and serve different roles. I always keep an Opinel #4 in my pocket. It weighs exactly 1/3oz. My little house key, with 1" keyring weighs more. Now, my stainless #6 is the smallest Opinel with a lockring. However, it weighs a full ounce. It's kind of bulky in the front pocket of a pair of jeans. Still, it gets so sharp, holds that sharpness well due to the quality steel and thinness of the blade, that I use it more than any other knife. It sharpens as easily as my #4 in carbon steel. Tonight, I used it to shave down the quills of turkey feathers while making fletching. Opinels might be the ultimate slicers. I recommend them in stainless over carbon. Never thought I'd say that. I too use a SAK Hiker. It has all the tools of the Farmer and more. I also use the Fireman, Florist and Hunter XT. The Opinel #6 is a better gardening knife that the SAK Florist. However, I'm constantly needing one tool or another found on my SAKs. Tonight, I needed a pin. I grabbed my Hiker and pulled out the pin I had purchased aftermarket and got the job done. Yesterday, I grabbed the Fireman and unscrewed the tiny screwdriver from the corkscrew and used it to open a battery compartment on a bicycle light. This evening, I used the saw on my Hunter XT to clear a shooting lane while out bowhunting. Those are things you can't really do with an Opinel.

Joe
 
I have and use both. horses for courses. I have used my opinels for lunchbox knives, or when I just need and extra lightweight blade. often times though I use the SAKs due to needing the other tools. The best part of opinels though, they are cheap enough to experiment with and mod. Great for carving.
 
This is like asking which is better, a baseball bat or a golf club. They are meant for different things are not generally comparable. A Opinel is just another folder but with a unique lock (though one model does not lock) and they are inexpensive. The SAK or SAT (Swiss Army Tool as they are called in some countries that do not like knives) is a multifunction multi-tool. You can do more than cut with one. I had an Opinel years ago, lost it fishing, and never replaced it. I still have several Vics. I get more functional use out of them. My favorites are the Evo S111 and the Alox Cadet.
 
I haven't tried an Opinel yet, but it doesn't seem like the Opinel competes with SAKs, especially since the SAK is typically valued for the tools other than the blade.

I've been thinking about getting a Opinel #6 or #7 to, perhaps, carry in addition to my SAK.
 
_Wraith said:
Let me rephrase the question. Which one do you carry more often as an edc.
Click to expand...

Victorinox although, blasphemy though it may be, my Boker Plus Tech Tool has kicked my Vic from the pocket. Opinels are inexpensive and have fantastic geometry, but for my needs, they sacrifice too much in terms of edge retention and convenience for them to compete with my modern folders. My Manix 2 XL might not slice a tomato as well as an Opinel, but it won't open a wine bottle at all and my Vic Tourist sure will.
 
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