Which Opinel?

That would be the number 6.

A very usable little pocket knife that has some large cutting ability.
 
I carry an 06 quite often (today in fact) and find it to be more than enough nice for most any ordinary tasks required of an EDC folder. It's a bit on the small side but quite capable as far as I'm concerned.
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The Number 6 is a great little knife. I only have two Opinel knives and they are Stainless 6 and Carbon 6.
 
Like most things, it's all how the person carrying it feels about it. With Opinel's the lines are so blurred, that I don't find much different unless you skip a couple sizes. Like from a number 6, go up to a number 8 and you notice some difference. But I've carried a number 6, and a number 7, and didn't notice any difference in real world cutting or pocket carry. I carry a number 7 in dockers style business casual attire with no problems. A number 9 is getting too bulky except in jeans or jacket pocket. Number 8 is splitting the difference.

Of course the number 12 is strictly a coat pocket machete.:D

Carl.
 
Also give some thought to how much blade you want, versus handle size. The truly beautiful thing about Opinels is, the handles can be carved/sanded/shaped/whittled down to suit one's own tastes, both funtionally and aesthetically. There's quite a lot of wood to give (or carve away), without diminishing anything on these. A No. 08 with a user-downsized handle might seem a lot more pocketable (perhaps similar to a factory No. 07), but still provide a little more blade.
 
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Obsessed with Edges said:
Also give some thought to how much blade you want, versus handle size. The truly beautiful thing about Opinels is, the handles can be carved/sanded/shaped/whittled down to suit one's own tastes, both funtionally and aesthetically. There's quite a lot of wood to give (or carve away), without diminishing anything on these. A No. 08 with a user-downsized handle might seem a lot more pocketable (perhaps similar to a factory No. 07), but still provide a little more blade.
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:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

I've taken advantage of the excess wood on the Opinel handle, and have made a number 8 almost as compact as the number 7, but with more blade. Reducing the square butt, and flattening out the round sides can go a long way to making a number 7 or 8 as pocketable as a number 6. Plus you end up with a nice looking one of a kind Opinel. I made a number 12 look like a Spanish navaja. A little sandpaper goes a long way!:D

Carl.
 
My favorite size is easily the No.8 but as others have mentioned you can go as low as the 6 and still have the Virobloc locking ring.
 
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Personally, for pocket carry, I think the #6 (or a "carved down" #7, which can be taken more or less to the same size) is the perfect size. That's what I carry.

Fausto
:cool:
 
Funny, my only true EDC is a little yellow #2 on my keychain. For real use a #8 is the best blade length but the #7 makes up for the slightly smaller blade by its awesome carry-ability.
 
The only Opinel I still have is my No. 10, and I carry it from time to time. Then again, I like large knives... A Buck 110 or a Queen Mountain Man is the perfect size for me.
 
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I have a #6 with the skinny end handle. It is pretty small and light for pocket carry.

I can't think of much that would be lighter!

I need to get a few bigger models to play with.
 
I recently got a #8 garden knife and it's just a little shorter than my regular #8. The handle end is thinner and feels much smaller in my hand. It might be something to take a look at.
 
Blades are easy to change out on the Opinel so you can mix and match the wood to the blade steel you want. Honestly, you can not go wrong with any Opinel from 6-8 for everyday carry.
 
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My favorite is the only one I have... AND cannot find anywhere, anymore. It is a No. 8 with carbon steel blade in a drop point configuration.
 
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