Which opinel for a Boy Scout?

Bladenoobie1

Bladenoobie1

Joined
Jul 20, 2012
Messages
1,261
I've been in my Boy Scout troop for 6 years now and a lot has changed since. Of recent, I'm proud to have finally attained the rank of Eagle Scout; however, I still have several months till I become 18.

Every scout, from what I've seen has some interest in knives though most of them own pieces of well, crap. We've always encouraged participation in regards to outdoor activities and events, but sometimes an incentive doesn't hurt. In previous years we would reward scouts a REI gift card for whomever had accumulated the most hiking miles in a given period of time. I feel that its a good time to start such awards again but in a different manner.

I will be giving away a norton india stone in conjunction with a opinel knife which model I don't know yet. I doubt some of our younger scouts have any idea of how to care for a carbon steel blade, so stainless will be the only option.

Which opinel model in your opinion would be best for a young scout and in the stainless variety?

Thanks,
BN



EDIT:

It seems like the garden inox is getting the most votes.
 
Last edited:
cards94 said:
young scout, get a leatherman juice or swiss army.
Click to expand...
I do realize that there are other options; however, I am specifically asking for opinel models with that company picked for my reasons. Buying several leatherman juice(s) or SAKs can be a little pricey too.
 
I used to consider myself a carbon snob but Opinel's Sanvik 12c27 has won me over.

Opinel has an Inox version of the #7 and #8 that has a lanyard attached called the Trekker. The 7s are available with colored handles even. Usually about $15.

The bottom one here is an 8 Trekker that has been stained darker.



Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Opinel Number 8 carbon steel blade. That's the one I gave to my son when he went backpacking and he kept it ever since.
 
The No. 7 is the sweet spot for me. I have the 6 & 8 too. But the 7 is about perfect for most of my needs. It's good for pocket carry and has a long enough blade to make a decent field food prep knife. Coincidentally it's my only stainless Opinel of the four I own. I've concluded through my own use that the Inox steel is every bit as capable of taking just as keen and edge as the carbon models. As the other poster mentioned these are also available with painted handles for something different.
 
#8 garden knife - it's a stainless drop point well under $20.
opinel-garden-knife-No8-1.jpg
 
#8 and up.

Partly, that depends on age and hand size. The #7's with a slim handle seem big enough for my 8 year old's hands.

For my hands, whittling, the #10 is perfect. It also has a long enough blade to cut cheese and apples, etc. I still carry a #8 stainless with a modded handle around.


I am an Eagle scout as well, and have been a scout leader for 8 years. A stainless Opinel makes a fantastic outdoor pocket knife. Light, tough. The inox steel is a great steel. It has won me over with it's edge retention, and the great edge it takes. I still have and use the carbon models, but more stainless are on the list.
 
I can still get a solid three-finger grasp on my #6 with the butt braced against my curled pinky. My 150lb 12yo can get a 4-finger grip. It's the smallest with a locking collar. If you'd like to step-it-up just a wee notch, order it in olive-wood, rather than just plain. You get a nicely figured piece of wood just a bit more damp resistant than normal.
 
The #8 gardiner was also the first to come to mind, due to the contoured handle.
My #6 regular is very tight and does not seem to be loosening with time.
I wouldn't recomend this for a child due to the safety issues. I am wondering what would happen if these knives were taken camping and got exposed to high humidity or got wet. I guess the wood handles would swell.
 
mwhich50 said:
The #8 gardiner was also the first to come to mind, due to the contoured handle.
My #6 regular is very tight and does not seem to be loosening with time.
I wouldn't recomend this for a child due to the safety issues. I am wondering what would happen if these knives were taken camping and got exposed to high humidity or got wet. I guess the wood handles would swell.
Click to expand...
These are no "children" and are at least 11 years old. I will be teaching the totin chip tomorrow and as scouts they should or will know the responsibilities of carrying a knife. And as their former SPL (those in scouting will know what that stands for) I trust them enough to be responsible with a knife.

EDIT: I might have misread what you wrote. Were you simply stating that just the #6 is probably not a good option or that opinel knives at all should not be given to the scouts? Anyhow I'm contemplating on whether to get a 7 or 8.
 
My most used Opinel is a carbon #9, but the #8 Garden INOX is my second most used and is what came to mind for me as well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top