Opinel

A place to discuss & share pictures of knives made in Europe.
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BrokenCamillus
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Opinel

Post by BrokenCamillus »

I figure that's all there is to say. I just received two of them from AG you know who. They are certainly different and you either love them or hate them I guess. I haven't made up my mind.

Anyone else have Opinels?
To understand the history of Man, study the tools he uses.
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smiling-knife
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Post by smiling-knife »

Hi BC. I don't own one so I can't comment based on experience. they are funky looking. They have a very good reputation as a high value for money (quality/price ratio). Sorry, that is all I know about them. :) s-k
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orvet
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Post by orvet »

I have a couple Opinel, one kitchen paring knife one ring lock, about a #8 I think. They are very functional knives and a great bargain for the price.

Dale
knife-nut
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Post by knife-nut »

I've got a miniature one about a inch long. Cute little devil.
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Don Luis
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Post by Don Luis »

Posting a couple of months late...

Here's my Opinels, great knives for the price, the simple wood handle makes them easy to customize, some people make very fancy carvings on them. Older ones would only lock when opened, you can probably see that I filed the lockings rings in mine to lock them when closed.

Luis
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Brown Mule
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Post by Brown Mule »

Opinels are very good knives for the money! I have several & they use 1075 high carbon steel that is easy to sharpen & cuts well. The only downside is if they get wet they can freeze closed & yes I have heard of the Knack but, what if it dosn't work? Thats why I prefer Brown Mule or Okapi or Douk Douk knives as they don't have this problem!
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blueskat
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Re: Opinel

Post by blueskat »

Got my first Opinel this week. Mainly for ther kitchen, 2 paring knives and one folder No. 8. Very simple looking knives, but functional with the lock rings on the folder,,,,,but man get they get an edge on them !! Am very impressed how easily it is to get them "scary sharp". Already got the band-aids ready for the cuts.

Read somewhere that the Opinels are a favorite knife in Holland, mainly as a cutting and grafting knife in their tree and flower industry. Great steel they put in these things.
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orvet
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Re: Opinel

Post by orvet »

I have a Opinel paring knife. It is one of the least expenisve kitchen knives I have and is my favorite.
I hide it when the grandkids are around (as well as the other good knives) as they are prone to use a knife & lay it on the counter or leave it in the kitchen sink. The water is not good for the steel or the wood.
Other than that it is nearely a perfect cheap knife!

Dale
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stancaiman
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Re: Opinel

Post by stancaiman »

I have of to buy about twenty at least, I gave it or lost and actually I have 2 or 3 opinel from N°9 to N°13. I use them in the kitchen or on boat. If i lose it is not important regarding the price. But they are very good knives : it's easy to sharp and the lock system (virole in french) is very efficient.
there is now two type of blade : standard blade and inox blade. For handle, many kind of wood are now used (from cheaper to a little more expensive)
these knives are very easy to customize and some addict do it with good results
http://fpanda.free.fr/opinel.html
::tu::
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Sauconian
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Re: Opinel

Post by Sauconian »

I have a few, from #2 to # 12. They seem like they would make excellent users, but I don't know if I want to break up the set. One would certainly be much lighter in the pocket for the blade size than a standard folder.

Maybe I should send them to carvin don for customization. ::idea::

Fran
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If it's meant for me to have it, it'll still be there.
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Diligence
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Re: Opinel

Post by Diligence »

stancaiman - on the link you sent, those customized versions are really nice! I think I've just found what I will do when camping - some Opinel handle carving!!

J
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stancaiman
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Re: Opinel

Post by stancaiman »

:D enjoy
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Froggyedge
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Re: Opinel

Post by Froggyedge »

In my experience they are cheap and great value users.

Very low weight, sharpens easily and the thin blades make them great slicers! ::tu::
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

A knifeless man is a lifeless man - Old Nordic proverb.
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dkonopinski
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Re: Opinel

Post by dkonopinski »

They're great. If you break one or lose one the world didn't end. They're low cost and here in the UK they're easily available in shops. Not just on the dub dub dub. The website is interesting too. Worth a look.

A Frenchman I met in Spain told me that if you turn any Frenchman upside down and shake, at least one Opi will fall out of his pockets.

David
"Actually, I was looking to gain an edge." - Lone Watie
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stancaiman
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Re: Opinel

Post by stancaiman »

dkonopinski wrote: A Frenchman I met in Spain told me that if you turn any Frenchman upside down and shake, at least one Opi will fall out of his pockets.

David
::tounge:: not false.
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Froggyedge
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Re: Opinel

Post by Froggyedge »

I have no doubt about it! :lol:

I have a handy little #5 on the table in front of me now. :)
Knivlaus mann er livlaus mann.

A knifeless man is a lifeless man - Old Nordic proverb.
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Corbin0192
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Re: Opinel

Post by Corbin0192 »

I love my opi. They're great knives to practice sharpening on and you get that good traditional feeling when you hold one.
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Jack, France
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Re: Opinel

Post by Jack, France »

Hello everybody.

Just here, a lot of pictures, and a lot of informations about these low-cost and high-quality pocket knives :

http://www.opinel.com/
http://www.netlaputa.ne.jp/~opinel/f_open.htm
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stancaiman
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Re: Opinel

Post by stancaiman »

hello jack, welcome aboard :D
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blueskat
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Re: Opinel

Post by blueskat »

Anybody know where the Opinels could be purchased in bulk? Looking for a box of the No. 8 models.
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orvet
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Re: Opinel

Post by orvet »

You might try Blade Martix
http://www.bladematrix.tv/index.asp?Pag ... egory=1317

Call them & ask for Kendall. He is the owner. He is pretty helpful.
Their phone # is Phone 859-215-0248


Dale
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blueskat
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Re: Opinel

Post by blueskat »

thanks so much Dale! will check them out.

-bluesK 8)
Tharin
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Re: Opinel

Post by Tharin »

I've got one Opinel, more for using it than for my collection. I'm very happy with it, the carbon steel is easily sharpened and the locking is simple and effective. The wood handle has a good firm grip IMHO.
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orvet
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Re: Opinel

Post by orvet »

I picked up one of their their standard carbon steel paring knives for use in the kitchen.
It has turned into one of my favorites.

Dale
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blueskat
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Re: Opinel

Post by blueskat »

roger that. I keep 2 of the Opinel paring knives in the kitchen to a "scarey" sharpness. Wife is almost scared to use them. Have to keep the band-aids handy. Just have to make sure they are cleaned and a touch of mineral oil after each use,,,,,that rust creeps on them so easily.
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