Opinel

[FRJ]

Thanks Froggy!!!

[alabamaedge88]

Ive been looking at these knives for a few weeks and i just found this thread today.........think ya'll convinced me to get carbon one and try it out....i think im gonna like em there like.......French Sodbusters!!!!

[Gunsmoke47]

I too wanted one for a long time and finally "Jumped off the Deep End" HEHEHEHEHE! and paid $5.50 for a #6 carbon.

This is my take: For $5.50 + $5.00 shipping, it is a good knife. It is very light weight, rides in the pocket very well, mine was scary sharp straight to me. Nice looking knife and a simple locking feature that (in itself) is a positive. It will be a great edc for opening boxes, trimming fingernails and the like. The blade is too thin for my likeing and will snap at the first hint of hard use. It has been in my pocket for a week now, and will be for another week just to make sure my opinion is correct. These comments of coarse, are just my opinion and in no way am I trying to endorse or degrade this product. Smoke

[alabamaedge88]

Heres a link to a Kabar that im trying to trade.....ill take an opie 6 or 7 carbon for it.

http://www.allaboutpocketknives.com/kni ... 33&t=19406

[alabamaedge88]

Well I got my first opinel. It came kinda dull ( I heard some EU knives came like that.) But after a couple hits with a ceramic
rod and it became scary sharp!!! Very good blades........but personally the weight of the knife and the handle didnt fit my liking. Not saying that theyre bad knives by no means, just for an edc I prefer a lil more heavy. My brother in law loved it
so he's carrying it now. 'Tis more blessed to give than recieve.

[Froggyedge]

Smoke,
The Opinels are definitely no pry bars and you may want to be just a little more cautious than usual when using them.
On the other hand the relatively thin blades will readily take a very keen edge that is easily maintained. and they are great slicers. Most kitchen knives have quite thin blades and that is no coincidence of course.
An Opinel at its best may be when used to to prepare a meal when hiking/camping, and I believe they are often used by the French as a picnic knife. In fact they have a model specifically designed with this purpose in mind. No French picnic without some wine of course!

Alabama,
I know the feeling. Some times when I have carried a knife with some weight for a while, like a 4" Stockman or a Canoe with bone handles, an Opinel or another ultralight knife may feel like carrying a toy in your pocket in comparison... Takes some time getting used to the heavier knife when switching back too. We are creatures of habit...

[jerryd6818]

Froggy, that's the first one of those I've seen. Cool. Thanks for posting it.

[alabamaedge88]

Ive gotta get my mother-in-law a christmas gift and i think im gonna get her a set of opinel kitchen knives.
she cooks alot and i noticed that her knife drawer need to be up-graded.

[Gunsmoke47]

I agree froggy, it is a great slicer. And in all honesty, it's good knife for the price. It's just not what I need as an edc. I truely try not to use my knives as a pry bar (even though I stated that in another thread) somewhere on this forum, but I do like a blade with a little more heft to it for edc.

[Froggyedge]

Smoke,
I understand how you feel about those thin blades and I generally agree!
I like testing out and using a variety of different knives, the Opinels being among them. So far I've never had an Opinel snap on me, but I guess they are more likely to do so than most other pocket knives that I own and use.
Being forced to limit my choices of EDCs to just a few knives, an Opinel would probably not be among them for the same reasons you mentioned... Thankfully, I'm not!

[woseyjales]

Yall'uns getting me cornfused again.
When used properly a knife shouldn't be snapping blades.
Opinel been in bidniss over a hunert years and that
usually doesn't happen w/o a record of reliability.
My experience w/Opies is that it is a lightweight toter
that provides a good grip and cuts anything I've asked it
to with minimum of effort. Easy to unlock and fold shut
one handed if need be.
More heft is automatically better? Sorry I don't get it.
Unless you're throwing your knife like a rock or using it to
chock a tire while you change a flat.
(such use may void manufacturlator's warranty.
See owner's manual for details)

[Gunsmoke47]

Hey Wosey, I will try to unconfuse you (about my statements anyway.) People use pocket knives for many different reasons. My profession calls for me to use a knife as a tool. I use it as often as I use a 3/4" wrench or a 1/2" drive impact, and though I probably should we whipped, (even a screw driver from time to time.) If a knife is used "Properly" it shouldn't snap blades. I agree, if you want to slice an apple, open a box, or trim your fingernails, no knife should ever snap a blade. Unfortunately, I tend to abuse a knife from time to time, (I know, my bad) they make other tools for that in a perfect world, however, it's easier for me, (in my unperfect world) to reach into my pocket and transform my box opener into "SUPER TOOL" so for my application........... Yes, more heft is automatically better. Smoke

[orvet]

Here is my most recent Opinel, a #12.
It is 6-3/8" closed and a whopping 11-1/8" open!
This is one Big Momma!

It is a small folding machete!

Dale

[stancaiman]

i think the #12 has the most usability
one of mine used in the kitchen

[orvet]

i think the #12 has the most usability
one of mine used in the kitchen

I thought of that.
With the thin blade and the way it takes and holds an edge, it would work very well in the kitchen.
However, it I leave one more knife in the kitchen for her to use, she will probably hurt me.
As it is I have to keep some of my favorite carving knives in the shop and only bring them in when I carve a ham, turkey or roast.

Dale

[Just Plain Dave]

I passed the dadgum exit for SMKW and really wanted to get in there for an Opinel or two.

But it was at least an hour before they would open and I could not wait that long.

Good thing too as I REALLY should not be buying anything!

[davidketterer]

The #6 Opinel has a thinner blade than the #8. It is a bit too thin. It's OK as a "gentleman's knife", for use in an office, a lady's purse, or anywhere where knives might be frowned upon.

The #8 is much better and I have done mods to shorten the #8 handle and blade to keep the thickness and still get a shorter blade for our knife paranoid country.

People have remarked on the wood swelling and locking the blade up in wet weather. You can almost eliminate this by...

1. Leave the knife in a car on a hot summer day or two until it gets too loose.
2. Stand it in a cup with an inch or two of mineral oil (enough to cover the joint, maybe take the locking ring off) for a week or three to get the joint to soak up mineral oil.

Soaking up the oil will tighten it back up. You can put it back in the car if it gets too tight, etc. It ain't rocket science.

[davidketterer]

Just below is an Opinel which I shortened. I shortened the handle to where I went into the blade slot so I epoxied and pinned a bit of steel in there to strengthen it.

Below that, a couple of slightly unique mods, followed by more mods.

I was into doing the simple mods on Opi's a few years back. I could grind an Opi into shape on the belt sander at work and finish the shape in 5 minutes (hint... clamp blade in vise with handle up, wrap a long strip of sandpaper around, take both ends and make like you are shining shoes)

I gave most away as gifts and kept the better for myself.