which opinel

I recently got a set of #2 thru #12 carbon Opinels. Prior to that I had just a modded #9. The sweet spot for me is #6 - #9 but the #9 is my favorite and that has more to do with the handle size than the blade size. I'm currently looking at some slim options and am trying to decide between the #10 and #12.
 
Brisket said:
I'm currently looking at some slim options and am trying to decide between the #10 and #12.
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I've been eyeing the Slim No. 10 Horn Tip Handle but both the length and the price have stopped me. It does look real nice but for the price you can get a collection of them!

 
RamZar said:
I've been eyeing the Slim No. 10 Horn Tip Handle but both the length and the price have stopped me. It does look real nice but for the price you can get a collection of them!

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That is indeed a beauty!
 
cbxer55 said:
I'm eyeing a #12 myself. Never had an Opinel before, and since I like 4+ knives, the 4.75 blade talks to me.
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You will like the #12, which is probably my most used Opinel. It works famously for slicing a roast and there are few garden tasks that the #12 can't master. I highly recommend the #12.
 
goodeyesniper said:
dang, now you guys are making me want a slim version...



I wouldn't exactly call the 6 a tiny peanut... the blade is just a hair under three inches, which seems to be the median length on carry blades. it's a nice size, and legal just about anywhere besides a few fascist hold outs. and the contours of the handle makes it very comfy in hand, if a bit thick in pocket.

the 8 is a great size, but don't discount the 6.
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All true.

Another way to say this I think is that Opinels have long blades relative to their handle size.

The 6 for me is definitely a 3 finger grip. The 9 is a comfortable but snug 4 finger grip. The 8 is 3+, almost 4.
 
A.P.F. said:
You will like the #12, which is probably my most used Opinel. It works famously for slicing a roast and there are few garden tasks that the #12 can't master. I highly recommend the #12.
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The big Opinels make great bread knives. Whether the muffin is too soft or the bread crust is too dry, that edge slices cleanly through them without crumbling.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
The big Opinels make great bread knives. Whether the muffin is too soft or the bread crust is too dry, that edge slices cleanly through them without crumbling.
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I was thinking of getting the set to use in the kitchen. But, it just seems kind of weird to have folders for kitchen use. The set in the nice wooden box would look good in the kitchen though......
 
OK, I can't take it any longer. In the future, I'm going to have to order an Opinel as I don't own one and they seem pretty darn cool. So, what size would be best for my XXL hands ? I know I need at LEAST a 3.5 inch handle. I also very much like the "food prep" angle, i.e. Mayo Jar, Peanut Butter, Cutting Bread, Sandwiches, slicing Tomatoes, Steak, etc. so what blade shape is recommended for all around "food prep" ? I believe the Opinel would be a knife that I'm NOT afraid to use often, that is to say, I like my PM2 but, not so much for food prep. Thanks all.

HARDBALL
 
I was walking through Williams-Sonoma on Madison Avenue in NYC one afternoon, real yuppie territory. There I saw my first Opinels in real life. :)

Picked up a #8. Couple years later my brother saw it and was impressed, so I gave it to him, and went out and started buying a variety of them. Opinels, and Douk-Douks.
 
coaltrain said:
I was thinking of getting the set to use in the kitchen. But, it just seems kind of weird to have folders for kitchen use. The set in the nice wooden box would look good in the kitchen though......
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People starting out in life look for a set of kitchen knives. Henckels or whatever. Buy the set, buy a big knife block to hold them. Why?

Buy a big 8" carving knife, buy a 6" food prep knife, buy a small paring knife. Everything else is an inch more or less than these. Don't need them.

Instead, buy an Opinel #6, #8 or 9, #12.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
People starting out in life look for a set of kitchen knives. Henckels or whatever. Buy the set, buy a big knife block to hold them. Why?

Buy a big 8" carving knife, buy a 6" food prep knife, buy a small paring knife. Everything else is an inch more or less than these. Don't need them.

Instead, buy an Opinel #6, #8 or 9, #12.
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Funny you say that - so true. There is that old block with junk knives in the corner of the kitchen for almost 20 years now.......

I found a kitchen set from Opinel - fixed knife set of 3 that will be perfect.
 
HARDBALL said:
OK, I can't take it any longer. In the future, I'm going to have to order an Opinel as I don't own one and they seem pretty darn cool. So, what size would be best for my XXL hands ? I know I need at LEAST a 3.5 inch handle. I also very much like the "food prep" angle, i.e. Mayo Jar, Peanut Butter, Cutting Bread, Sandwiches, slicing Tomatoes, Steak, etc. so what blade shape is recommended for all around "food prep" ? I believe the Opinel would be a knife that I'm NOT afraid to use often, that is to say, I like my PM2 but, not so much for food prep. Thanks all.

HARDBALL
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probably a nine or ten. unlike the previous poster though, I can get a comfy four finger grip on the six. seven is just about perfect. anything bigger is mainly for the added blade.

your hands may vary
 
Hi GES,

Yep, I think you are correct. I just spent the last 30 minutes at the Opinel site and I'm thinking the number 10 might just be the ticket. I must admit however that the number eight GARDEN knife with it's unique drop point blade looks very interesting! Is the number eight GARDEN knife the only Opinel with this "Drop Point" blade ? I could not find any others on the site.

HARDBALL
 
I'm pretty sure it is, but we have had people grind down a classic Opinel blade to a drop point. Simple carbon steel, easy mod. You could do it with a file.
 
Hardball, I have xl glove hands and the 9 fits them well, with a little tail hanging off.

I chose it for blade length that I am acustom to from when I bought my 1st kickback at 10years old, I know thy blade length and shape was perfect for me, the 9 matches it very closely.
 
Hi STV,

I for sure will look at the number 9 (whoops, Beatles flashback) as well. Funny, the comment about using the Opinel for spreading Peanut Butter really (wait for it......) STUCK with me! I know I know....bad. At any rate, tis true. I very much like the idea of having a pocket knife that can tackle such tasks. Ummmm.....I wonder if the lil' Peanut knife.....errr....never mind.

Regards,
HARDBALL
 
There's something magical about a minimalist 19th century peasant's knife. Of course, the locking mechanism came later in 1955.

[video=youtube;8zf2fGlK0U0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zf2fGlK0U0[/video]
 
RamZar said:
There's something magical about a minimalist 19th century peasant's knife. Of course, the locking mechanism came later in 1955.

[video=youtube;8zf2fGlK0U0]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8zf2fGlK0U0[/video]
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Wow, very interesting read-up. I had no idea they sold so many, though I did know about the artist as I had read on wiki that Picasso used Opinel knives for his sculptures and I could imagine using my Opinel for oil painting with great ease.
 
wasn't aware of the great history until now.I mean, I realized it's a historic blade that has been around for generations, but didn't know Picasso and all those explorers swore by them.

I know I would feel absolutely comfortable surviving out in the wild with an opinel as my only knife. you really can't go wrong.
 
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