Vintage Opinel Question

M

Micahdebick

Joined
Jan 16, 2015
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4
I received this Opinel folding knife from my neighbor. I know nothing about it. It definitely appears to be vintage. Notice the "Swiss Cross" (or shield) symbol on the blade rather than the "Hand", next to the crown. I am not exactly sure what it means, or if I am able to date the knife with it. The knife is also lacking the locking ring. I cannot tell whether it was removed, or purchased like that.
The knife is 7" long total, with a 3" blade. It seems comparable in size to the modern No. 7.
I have tried numerous searches without finding any useful info. I was hoping someone on here could be of assistance. I am very interested in the history of this blade and any information that anyone can provide will be most appreciated.
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Also, as a side-note, I would like to use this knife as a practical every-day knife, but don't want to without the locking ring. Does anyone know of a place where I can purchase a spare locking ring?

Thank You.
 
The locking ring was a more recent addition. You can still use the knife.
 
Your knife may have been made without the locking ring, if it is pre 1955 construction. Before 1955, Opinel's were plain friction folders.
 
You might want to post this here: http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/forumdisplay.php/691-Bernard-Levine-s-Knife-Collecting-amp-Identification. The crowned hand has been used for a loooong time. I don't recall ever seeing a shield with cross. I can also see some kind of odd crescent shaped marking on the handle. I'd say (off the top of my head) that this is a special edition of some kind, something Opinel has done a huge variety of over the years. EChoil (edit: and jackknife) is correct. Opinels didn't have locking rings until 1955, at which time they only locked the blade open. The ring was updated in 2000 to allow the blade to be locked closed. The knife is okay to use as is. I have never seen rings available anywhere on their own. If you luck out, someone here may have an extra No. 7 ring they could sell or give to you. If all else fails, buy a new No. 7 and pop the ring off to use on this knife.
 
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Thanks for the info. So I assume my knife may date before the 1955 lock addition.
I can't seem to find any info on the shield with the cross. Which only intrigues me more about the knife.
The handle is faded, so I cannot tell what it says. I can somewhat make out the words "Croix De Savoie" Then beneath that "Opinel". There appears to be writing in the "crescent" but I am unable to tell what it says.
I've considered just buying a new No. 7 and putting the ring on it. I'd just like to find out more about the knife first.
I have never been comfortable using non-locking blades frequently. I have heard many stories about them collapsing. I like my fingers.
 
It's probably worth buying a new No7, considering how cheap they are, and either changing the ring to the old one or just using the new one instead.
 
My guess, a french knife probably does not have a swiss cross stamped on it, rather the cross of Savoie (Croix de Savoie marked on the handle?!). :D

See here

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The French department Savoie is located here:
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Wow, if the crowned hand trademark has been used since 1909, I don't think I'd use the knife. Keep it more as a curio/collectors piece since it survived so well. JUst buy a new one and use the ever lovin' heck out of it. It wold be a shame to loose or break a pre 1909 Opinel.

As for no lock, just use it like a slip joint and theres no problem. The forces put on the knife when slicing keep it open just fine. I've very rarely even engage the lock on my own Opinel. But then, I even like the Japanese Higonokami and Sardinian Resolza, both friction folders. Friction folders are very cool knives. Once you sue one and get used to it, you'll wonder why you didn't use one sooner.

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Thank you for all the help guys!
Pre-1909, Wow. I think I will go ahead and purchase a new No. 7 in that case. Like jackknife said, I'd hate to break such an old knife.
It still seems odd to me how little info there is on this knife..
Thank you for the links pointing out other similar knives.
 
Micahdebick said:
Thank you for all the help guys!
Pre-1909, Wow. I think I will go ahead and purchase a new No. 7 in that case. Like jackknife said, I'd hate to break such an old knife.
It still seems odd to me how little info there is on this knife..
Thank you for the links pointing out other similar knives.
Click to expand...

Probably the small amount of info on the knife is due to the nature of the knife itself. These things were, and still are in France and some other places, considered the Stanley utility knife of the folding knife world. In France, it's an everyday tool from construction workers and farm hands to vineyard workers and gardeners. They are used hard, and usually the blade is worn away or it breaks and they just go buy another one. The Opinel itself was nothing new, when Joseph Opinel started to make them, he was just mass producing what had been a regional peasants knife made by local blacksmiths for centuries. The Opinel in France, like the Taramundi of Northern Spain, were the puny knives of their day. Back when the local peasants barely had two cons to rub tougher, they couldn't afford much knife, but they needed a knife in their day to day life. So the penny knife was there. The basic friction folder goes all the way back to Roman times, when a light folding knife could be carried without worrying about a sheath.

Try this experiment; get a Number 7 or 8 Opinel, and carry it for a month. Don't carry any other knife. You'' be surprised at what it will do if needed. Opinel is the second largest knife company in the world, second to Victorinox. There has to be a reason.
 
You make a good point Jack.
I just ordered a brand new Opinel No. 7 from Opinel's website. I'm excited to get it!
I'll take your advice Jack, and carry only it around for a while.
Thank you for all the info.
- Micah
 
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