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Which should I buy (somewhat off-topic).

F

Febeleh

Joined
Nov 23, 2011
Messages
265
I was thinking of a good slicing knife that might be better at finer buschraft than my BK2, and on the cheaper side...
I've narrowed it down to two knives, and was wondering which you would reccomend.
An Opinel (whichever is the largest, does anyone know that?), or this Mora
It doesn't matter which one is cheaper, as they are both dirt-cheap, so that aside, which has preformed better for you guys?

Yes, there may have been a more appropriate forum, but being as this is the forum I reside in pretty much all the time, I respect your opinions more than others.
 
I've never used an Opinel, but my Mora has never let me down! If they are both dirt-cheap, why not get both? ;P
 
I realize its not in the original options but why not a Bk14? Really sturdy and really sharp!


Plus it's one good looking knife
100_1415.jpg
 
Might want to wait and pick up a BK15. Looks like it would last a lifetime and slice through anything. I know the Mora's have quite a following though. Cheap and get the job done.
 
Moras are scary sharp. great for carving and slicing&dicing stuff...I think my Mora is the best 12$ I ever spent. Never used an Opinel.

least a sharp knife makes a clean wound LOL

P1040316.jpg
 
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I think you would be well served with a 14, that being said I have a mora and an opinel. I love both, the opinel is a great traditional folder and the mora is great and cheap. For the price just get both, just get one of the larger opinels. And the opinels slice like ninjas made out of lasers, and the moras come really sharp and are really comfy. The opinel would be great for food prep and fine work, but I wouldn't cut heavy stuff with it as the blade is pretty thin.
 
Opinels are excellent. High-carbon FFG all the way to the edge - no secondary bevel. They are SHAAAARP.
The largest is inconveniently sized - remember that a 5" folding knife needs at least a 5.5" handle. Kinda silly.
The medium sized ones are solid. It's no bushcraft knife to beat on, but it's a GREAT bag knife.

And the opinels slice like ninjas made out of lasers
Click to expand...

pretty much.
Given the cost of them, you should have one in a nice size. They're an excellent sheeple knife. French country classy. (I DID have the tiniest one at some point, wonder where that little thing went)
 
I like my Mora Clipper, it is a great knife for the price. I've also been considering a opinel. They come in like 1-12 difference sizes, the smallest of which has a 3.5cm blade (Opinel 2), and the largest (Opinel 13) with a 22cm blade. So choose wisely.

http://www.opinel.com.au/Originals.htm

But like others say, the BK11/14 or the BK13 are great knives to accompany the larger beckers.

Good luck with whatever you do :).
 
All the Opinels are built to the same drawing, essentially. The different sizes scale the entire knife up or down.

These below are a No.7 and No.9 which are only a centimeter or so different in blade length.
(pardon the low light, it's nearly 2am - whaddaya expect?)

IMG_20120217_013832-small.jpg

IMG_20120217_013925-small.jpg


If you wanna go REALLY classy get the Laguiole:
IMG_20120217_014115-small.jpg



These Frenchies are seriously great picnic knives, but not exactly wilderness material.
Since I had 'em all out and had a chance to compare:

Opinel: Full *convex* grind (at least on the No. 9) all the way to zero on carbon steel. Voo-HA!
Laguiole: hollow grind with secondary bevel on 'inox' - as nice a knife as that is, I question any steel simply labeled 'stainless'
BK11: FFG with secondary bevel in 1095CV on the Kabar version - this is the Camillus in D2, which I would not recommend.

The nice thing about those folders in the pictures is the full handle, which the BK11 lacks.
The Laguiole has some really beautiful touches, but frankly the blade steel is sub-par compared to the others. but the brass bolsters and inlays... the filework on the spring... the carving on the handle... the cork puller (which is too stiff and needs to be refit)....
The Bk11 is a bruiser, tho, in any version. And the Kabar one should be right slicey.

-Daizee
 
Cannot go wrong here. I am a fan of both, and in one way or another have them both in my carry gear. If'n you are a 'minimalist,' I'd lean toward the Opie, light and more compact.
 
Dude I don't know why people are recommending you buy a knife that won't even be released for a quarter or more still and will cost sixty bucks when it is. Don't wait on a tweener.

I have an Opinel No. 9 and it's pretty awesome. For $8.50 it's AWESOME awesome. But you mention bushcraft, and I'd be a little leery about any folding knife for that especially one with a slip ring. Moras are fixed blades, are accepted as bushcraft blades, and even show up in Mors Kochanski's book that is actually called Bushcraft.
 
Awesome, thanks for all the suggestions everyone, I think I've made a desicion.
The fact that they are both really great, super blades, from what I understand.
But I'm going to have to go for the Mora for now.
It simply serves the purposes of a food prep, fine detail carving knife.
That isn't to say that the Opinel is not in my forseeable future.
I've been wanting to get a nice carbon steel folder, and for the price, why not?
But later.
Thanks everyone for all the great points and suggestions.
 
Moras are great. Got a couple myself. Cheap and tough. Sharpen in a heartbeat. What's not to love ?

Good choice. $12 well spent.
 
I have many Moras....I used to own an Opinel.....I lost the Opinel......I never replaced it.....Swedish steel or French steel ???...Was that a question ???.....

All Best....

ethan
 
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