Why all the Opinel rave?

I love both my Opinels, Benchmades, SAKs etc. I don't think the reason I like the Opinel is any cult following. But to compare a modern folder design especially some of the "Tactical" designs with an Opinel is kind of comparing quite different tools.

Someone just posted that they would rather have their new Kershaw Brawler. I am positive that if you took the two knives out into the woods for basic hunting, fishing and camping you would find that the Opinel will out carve the Kershaw when making feather sticks, friction fire tools, and even a set of chopsticks. That thin blade shave wood while many modern folders are so thick that they "wedge" the wood and thus are less useful for that task. It will also filet a fish more easily due to the thin blade

If you had to use an Opinel as a "tactical' folder let's say as a LEO, EMT, Fire Fighter etc. the Opinel would probably fail and break during those job related tasks due to its thin blade and wood handle.

So what is better a hammer or a mallet? See what I mean?

If you love the Opinel or not it's no big deal. Its just a knife which is just a tool. Different tools different jobs in many cases.

I don't EDC an Opinel but if I were hiking the AT or PCT I would probably take an Opinel and leave my Griptilian at home. (well maybe...)
 
leghog said:
"Initially developed for jet engines..."

Most here, me included, couldn't tell the difference between properly heat treated 440C, ATS14, or 154CM. There just isn't that much of a difference. Then without being told which steel is which, how many here do you think can really tell the difference between those and BG42, VG10, or S30V? Most are buying what they perceive to be the best because they were told it was the best (hype), but let them test blades of each with good heat treat but without them having any idea of the steel and lets's see them let you know which is the "latest" and greatest and which is which.
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Why do you think I started that Steel thread over in the reviews section in the 1st place?

Or why I started actually testing knives back in the late 70's?

Now yes, there is some truth that most wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a lot of the steels, but there are others who can.

Depends on the person and their actual use of knives, that will vary....

There is a lot of BS in the knife industry in general and urban legends die really hard....... ;)
 
Anything that's been around for a century and has stood the test of time will have a following. The classics are called classic for a reason. Nobody will be discussing the ZT 200 one hundred years from now
 
Ankerson said:
Now yes, there is some truth that most wouldn't be able to tell the difference in a lot of the steels, but there are others who can.
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Makes one wonder into which category would fall most of those here lamenting Opinel blades.
 
leghog said:
Makes one wonder into which category would fall most of those here lamenting the steel Opinel uses.
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I seriously doubt you would want to find out what that answer is..... ;)

So it's best to leave things as they are....
 
Since when does popularity and tradition automatically imply quality and performance, and how often does quality and performance correlate to the most popular tradition?

99% of people nowadays get by just fine without a pocket knife. Of the 1% that do carry a knife, 99% of them will get by just fine with their favorite SAK. The knife industry is driven by wants rather than needs.

Nail knick folders aren't really my niche, but for the money, Victorinox is in a whole nother world compared with Opinel.
 
leghog said:
And neither arborist or forester will cut down a growing tree without valid reason.
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There was a reason...to make this:





Which was still there years later:



And if people don't consider the years of family camping enjoyment that resulted from cutting down some fast growing trees a valid reason, I really don't care about their opinion. :)
 
stabman said:
There was a reason...to make this:





Which was still there years later:



And if people don't consider the years of family camping enjoyment that resulted from cutting down some fast growing trees a valid reason, I really don't care about their opinion. :)
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I made something like that years ago when I still lived up north and it was all still there when I left in 1995. :)
 
Ankerson said:
I made something like that years ago when I still lived up north and it was all still there when I left in 1995. :)
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Sweet. :)
I love when I run across things like that out in the woods.
Some people, naturally, will have a different opinion (big surprise!), but there's a huge difference between a well maintained camp site--even years later--than a pile of beer bottles from drunken yahoos and teenagers.
One is a nice spot to stop for a rest, and maybe boil up some coffee; the other is just people too lazy to carry their garbage back out of the woods.
 
As to the original topic, I'm just glad people around the world still make and use knives.
Even France! :eek:

:D
 
stabman said:
Sweet. :)
I love when I run across things like that out in the woods.
Some people, naturally, will have a different opinion (big surprise!), but there's a huge difference between a well maintained camp site--even years later--than a pile of beer bottles from drunken yahoos and teenagers.
One is a nice spot to stop for a rest, and maybe boil up some coffee; the other is just people too lazy to carry their garbage back out of the woods.
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Mine was more of a fishing camp/hunting camp that I would use to chill out, was on top of a railroad tunnel. :)

The only way to get there was by foot, had to walk a really good ways to get there, had a river near by for water etc and plenty of game/fish.
 
Ankerson said:
Mine was more of a fishing camp/hunting camp that I would use to chill out, was on top a railroad tunnel. :)

The only way to get there was by foot, had to walk a really good ways to get there, had a river near by for water etc and plenty of game/fish.
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It has to involve walking at least some distance to be any good. :thumbup:
 
Nice pictures.

@ Ankerson, The opinel is definitely a viable light utility knife. Are you trying to say that the opinel is incapable of things such as cutting tape, opening boxes, and light food prep? Or are you pointing out that there are knives that are more suited to your preferences that complete the same tasks.
 
155440 said:
Nice pictures.

@ Ankerson, The opinel is definitely a viable light utility knife. Are you trying to say that the opinel is incapable of things such as cutting tape, opening boxes, and light food prep? Or are you pointing out that there are knives that are more suited to your preferences that complete the same tasks.
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Well there are kitchen knives for food.... ;)

Cutting tape, any knife can do that and opening boxes, well most of the time one doesn't even need a knife for that.
 
An Opinel was my best gasket scraper for years, and it never broke. It got taken by my GF though!
 
Ankerson said:
Well there are kitchen knives for food.... ;)

Cutting tape, any knife can do that and opening boxes, well most of the time one doesn't even need a knife for that.
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That's not what I asked. Can an opinel be used as a picnic knife, or to cut steak, or slice an apple? I think you'll find in most cases, when a knife is needed, usually any knife will do. When one needs to cut something one doesn't go "damn I wish I had my mark knapp one off", more like "damn I wish I had a knife".
 
155440 said:
That's not what I asked. Can an opinel be used as a picnic knife, or to cut steak, or slice an apple? I think you'll find in most cases, when a knife is needed, usually any knife will do. When one needs to cut something one doesn't go "damn I wish I had my mark knapp one off", more like "damn I wish I had a knife".
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Yeah it was what you asked.... ;)

You just didn't like the answer.... LOL
 
stabman said:
There was a reason...to make this:





Which was still there years later:



And if people don't consider the years of family camping enjoyment that resulted from cutting down some fast growing trees a valid reason, I really don't care about their opinion. :)
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I'll use my 20+ year old tent or tarp/shelter, thank you. Much less impact.
 
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