Who carries an Opinel?

Jazzman

Jazzman

Joined
Jan 11, 2001
Messages
2,750
Is it just me? I just bought one from SMKW the other day and I am really enjoying the simplicity of the little guy (a #6). I was thinking about buying the carbon steel set (10 knives I think, different sizes), any opinions?
Thanks,
Matt
 
I have been carring my #6 for well over a year now. Have always carried a stockman of some sort up until then, (plus what ever spyderco I was in the mood for that day,)but switched to the opinal because the mood hit me I guess. I like it a lot. It does need a fairly regular sharpening, but that is no problem with a good old Arkansas stone. Simple knife with a simple steel. For a simple "me" I guess! :D
 
I've got a #8 that I carry occasionally. It is the carbon steel version, and very sharp.:D
 
I carry a No.7, wouldn't be without it, the lock is incredibly firm it holds a good edge and it does for pruning and carving. The only problem Ive ever had was when it was new - before I linseeded the wood, if it got damp the joint go so stiff I couldn't open the blade.

I've seen the no.13 around a couple of times, not sure what I'd do with one that big and in the window of a sadlers I've seen a ridiculous display model that must have been something stupid like a no 36 - a handle so wide you'd need two hands,
bile
 
I'm a knifemaker and SHOULD stick to ones I make, but the Opinels are fantastic little knives. They certainly aren't the most heavy duty cutting tool and they will PROVE to you that knives aren't for prying ! But the very thin blades are fantastic for those delicate slicing jobs and the carbon steel ones cut and cut and cut. I used to carry one until I decided that I'd prefer one of my own fixed blades for EDC. But I have 4 carbon steel Opinels in different sizes in my workshop. I love them as leatherworking knives, they just skate through leather like a hot knife through butter. I hone them up with a few wipes on a steel and they're back in business. Not sure what the steel is, never bothered to look on the website but seems similar to the edge holding of 1084 carbon steel.

They are certainly not always the prettiest. One of my Opinels came with a bent, twisted blade that had a crook pivot area so the blade pointed a different direction from the handle ! Did I care ? In Australia, they all cost less than $20 AUD. Thats the most knife the the least buck and they lock as well. I also like them because of their very safe locking mechanism and the fact that it comes across not very intimidating at all. If I had to pull out a knife in public to perform a routine cutting chore, it would either be a SAK or an Opinel.

My 2cents. Cheers.
 
Hi, longtime reader first time sender

When not carrying a Marttiini puukko

I always carry and use an opinel 10

great blade, the easiest one to sharp

and one of the most secured locking system.

All this for 10 $
 
Yep, carried one (a #8) myself for many years.
Lacquering, greasing or oiling with lineseed the wood is paramount, or it will lock the knife if it gets wet.
 
INOX #8 that I modified with a dremel to lock closed also.(mirrors the top portion) sorry no pics, but boy, that thing will make youlove a flat grind!
 
Welcome to the forums PaintedHorse! Hmm... Puukos and Opinels? Sounds like you know a bit about what makes a good knife!

I used to have an opinel, but I sent it with a knife in a trade. They are awesome blades. My buddy has a few too. He scratched a pattern into the wood and colored in the scratches. All of you guys with an opinel should give decorating your opinel a try.
 
there's an opinel museum site, it's in french, of all these crazy modified opinels. I got the link off of bf soo, until I get a gold mem, someone will have to pony up with the link.
 
If I'm wearing my jean jacket, I'm carrying an OP-84, which is a three inch stainless model. Boy, sharp as a razor. My intent here was to carry a cheap knife for dirty jobs or to offer as a loaner, but idiots would disembowel themselves on this edge. Great knife, and I'm proud to say I am their client.

I have a 4-inch carbon steel version, as well. Sometimes it's my EDC, and I don't need a back-up.
 
How do you pronounce puukko? is it poo-ooko, or pooko? also, why is carbon steel so much easier to get scary sharp than the inox models?(of the same model opinel)?
 
Am I the only one that doesn't consider the locks to be safe? It depends too much on how tight you turn it, and seems like it could jiggle loose in use.
 
Mine doesn't "jiggle" at all! The collar on my knife has no verticle play at all and locks up great. As far as being able to open the lock, I figure that you can theoretically open the lock on any knife with a bad blade twist, etc. However, since the blade on the Opinel is so thin, I don't think that it would see much rough action or twisting.
Matt
 
I carry one in my lunch bag for messy work. I love the convex grind and wish more folders were made with this blade edge. The lock seems to be quite capable in keeping the blade closed or open. Simple, inexpensive, and effective--what's not to like about the Opinel? (Oh, about the "simple" part above--that's only for the stock models. Have you seen the custom handles? Wow!).
 
Apart from the fact that they have excellent blades which are easy to sharpen, the other thing I like is that they are very light.
 
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