Why all the Opinel rave?

W3flmrG.jpg
 
The Opinel is a PERFECT folder.
I waited too long to check them out. Now, a 09 my EDC.
rolf
 
skmo said:
I have to say, I've asked myself the same question as the OP. I have purchased 4 Opinels throughout my life, there won't be a 5th. While I'll gladly admit the price is low and I LOVE the design, the blades have all been the biggest pieces of crap I've ever used that didn't say "Made in Pakistan" on them. Whittling wood (twice) cutting cardboard, and cutting open a plastic "clamshell" packaging I have broken all 4 blades I've ever owned.

It's really a shame. because I love the design. One saving grace of the design, Lynn Thompson stole it (like so many others) and made a good quality knife with it, the Twistmaster. The plastic handle on the CS version didn't swell when wet as I've heard some Opinels have a problem with, and the old Carbon V blades were tougher than every Opinel I had combined.
Click to expand...

With all due respect, it sounds like you're using them REALLY wrong for that to happen...
 
I have always liked the simplicity and earthy feel of opinels. It is the knife I take when the wife and I go out for a picnic with wine and cheese. Looks great on a cutting board. They also make great gifts, I have plenty of tough folders for harder uses, no need to use my opinels for that. They do not hold an edge very well, compared to just about every other steel I own, but they sharpen so easily it really does not matter. To me they are the Mora of the folding knife world. Simple, cheap and higher quality than the price point gives.
 
Hi guys...

If you want a survival, post apocaliptic, zombie killer, ninja karambit knife, please don´t buy an Opinel, If you have just one hand, don´t buy it, but if you want a very simple knife, well done, good steel, 125 years of history, just for slice an apple, some cheese or a piece of bread for $12.. this is the knife for you.. My opinel cuts as well as a $500 ZT...

29awlz6.jpg
 
scubisino said:
Hi guys...

If you want a survival, post apocaliptic, zombie killer, ninja karambit knife, please don´t buy an Opinel, If you have just one hand, don´t buy it, but if you want a very simple knife, well done, good steel, 125 years of history, just for slice an apple, some cheese or a piece of bread for $12.. this is the knife for you.. My opinel cuts as well as a $500 ZT...
Click to expand...


As someone with use of only their right hand I beg to differ. An Opinel is easily pinched open with one hand if you take the time :)
 
scubisino said:
Sorry, you are rigth...Coup de savoyard?
Click to expand...

If find that if I have to resort to the Coup de Savoyard, that's an indication that it's time for me to re-seal the pivot area.

I use carpenter's beeswax, available at most hardware stores. I break off a bit, soften in my fingers and then jam in the pivot are. I then melt it in with a hair dryer. Best done with the lock ring off so the excess can be wiped off without the lock ring fouling.

Sealed in this way, my Opinels can handle outings in the rain or wash up in the kitchen under hot soapy water without binding up.

A well sealed, well adjusted Opinel is very easy to one hand open and one hand close.
 
Cobalt said:
I have plenty of tough folders for harder uses, no need to use my opinels for that.
Click to expand...

The Opinel 8 is not as tough as the Opinel 9 or 10, IME. As with axe and hatchet handles, they get tougher as the handle gets thicker. A few have the grain incorrectly aligned (just like a bad axe handle) and the smaller Opinels (6, 7 and 8)with bad grain can break under hard cutting just below the collar.

This said, I've given Opinels to buddies in the trades and asked them to bust them. One guy was able to bust a blade after using a #8 to open paint cans for 2 years. He work hardened the blade eventually and snapped it.

I sent a #8 on a Bladeforums pass around a few years back and asked tradesmen to try to break it. Eventually somebody busted the tip drilling holes in PVC pipe in sub-zero temperatures. You can read through the experiences here.

http://www.bladeforums.com/forums/showthread.php/1097460-Opinel-Pass-Around-amp-Walk-About

Pete (aka Stitch) from the Traditional forums put me on to how tough they are. He used a #9 for years doing HVAC work, including plunge cutting air ducts.

The Opinel is very light and the lock won't protect against hard closing forces, but IME the joint itself is very, very robust. It also resists being fouled with dirt and sand better than any other knife I've used.

They do not hold an edge very well, compared to just about every other steel I own, but they sharpen so easily it really does not matter.
Click to expand...

I think its better to say that the blades are fine carbide steels and don't resist abrasion like more carbide rich steels. But, their Inox is 12C27 hardened to 58 Rc and is pretty much unsurpassed in terms of holding an edge compared to other fine carbide steels (like 1095).

Their Carbone is close to 1086 and is hardened to only 56 Rc. IME, it holds an edge less well in that it is prone to rolling at acute edge angles, but with a wider edge angle, makes for a very tough, hard to damage edge for hard use, particularly around metal.

I'm glad Opinel has both. I use the harder Inox for EDC and backcountry use but the Carbone for shop use.
 
I love the Opinels. They are one of the highest scoring of knives when evaluated with a cost benefit analysis.

By the way, I've been wanting to ask this... and since someone has resurrected this thread, Stabman how you feeling about that Grohmann you bought back in March. I've been wanting to get one.
stabman said:
Get a Grohmann. :)
I just got this in the mail on Monday; Grohmann #4 Survival knife.

Photo0296_zpswliiexj2.jpg


5/32" thick blade, 5" blade length.
Haven't had a chance to use it on anything other than vegetables yet, but at about 6.3 ounces of weight, it is very comfortable to carry around.
I had it worn Baldric style yesterday all day long...underneath a long sleeve shirt, no one even sees it.
Click to expand...
 
pinnah said:
If find that if I have to resort to the Coup de Savoyard, that's an indication that it's time for me to re-seal the pivot area.

I use carpenter's beeswax, available at most hardware stores. I break off a bit, soften in my fingers and then jam in the pivot are. I then melt it in with a hair dryer. Best done with the lock ring off so the excess can be wiped off without the lock ring fouling.

Sealed in this way, my Opinels can handle outings in the rain or wash up in the kitchen under hot soapy water without binding up.

A well sealed, well adjusted Opinel is very easy to one hand open and one hand close.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the useful tip.... what is the sharpening angle for an opinel? 20º maybe?... Thanks again..
 
Opinel No. 8 125th Anniversary Edition limited to 12,500 units released late last year!

couteau.jpg

ambiance125ans_0.jpg
 
scubisino said:
Thanks for the useful tip.... what is the sharpening angle for an opinel? 20º maybe?... Thanks again..
Click to expand...

You decide.

I take my Inox blades to somewhere in the 17 to 20 dps range and don't experience edge rolling when working with wood. I take my (softer) Carbones to close to 25dps.
 
miltmaldo said:
I'm ready to order one . Should I go stainless or carbon steel ? Opinel 7 or 8 ?
Click to expand...

I prefer stainless for EDC and Carbone only for shop use. The 8 is the most popular for good reason. I have XL sized hands and prefer the #9 to the #8 for a full hand grip. The #7 and #6 move into smaller pocket knife territory. Some folks love em but I can't get my hands around them well.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top