Opinel Set

[JWS]

I forgot I had these. Several years ago some welders from France were workig for us on a French designed job. One of them brought these to me from Seans France.

[Gunsmoke47]

That is a nice set JWS. Have you used any of them? I got my first #6 Opinel a year or so ago and carried it for a couple of months. It was scary sharp out of the box, and I liked the locking mechanism but I thought the blade was a little too thin from tip to tang. Whats your thoughts? Smoke

[Iron Hoarder]

Opinels are great knives. The older ones have a slightly thicker blade which is better than the new ones.

[zed6309]

Nice set, a friend of mine is sending me a #8 as ive never had a opinel before and wanted too see what there like, i might get a #5 and remove the sleeve or i think there is a #5 without a lock ? thinking uk legal edc

[stancaiman]

the small opinels does'nt have a look (virole in French for this kind of system) - in my mind the first model with virole is the #6
other way, it's very easy to remove the virole with a screwdriver

[jerryd6818]

Stan, by "virole" may I assume you're talking about the barrel lock?

[stancaiman]

yes it is

and thank for the english term

[woseyjales]

I have an Opie No.6 as my #2 EDC and only reason it's not
#1 is when I carry it I usually find myself needing one of
my SAK cadet's non blade apparati.

I have no problem with the thinner blade stock on Opies
but I'm only using it to cut, slice, or dice.
Not as screwdriver, center punch, or prybar.
(could void warranty)

No.6 is smallest size with veribloc ring.
And to pop it off simply have veribloc in locked position while
blade closed and then pull blade open despite resistance and....
Twaaaaang! Thar she blows & where'd it go?
(usually under the nearest pc of furniture)

Yep, they are plenty sharp out of the box/sleeve/bag.
A few swipes on the stone and lookout.
Zips through cardboard easy as soda thru a straw.
(didn't really think I'd say like knife thru hot butter did ya?)

I usually sand my Opie handles down to what I call 'pocket wore'.
No Case lawyers have shown up yet.
Sanding accents the grain and rounds off the sharp angles.

I got one of those nice sets one Christmas but I doubt
I'll sand them down.
My fingers, wrists & elbows just not up to it anymore.
Plus have you seen the price of sandpaper lately?

Well, reckon that's about all I know about Opinels.
Everybody should own at least one.

EDC#2 Opinel No.6 Carbone'


Premium woods only available w/ SS blades.
Olivewood my favorite.


But Oak or Walnut not too bad either.


Now if you're going hog wild like somebody's retirement
party and they're just not worth a 24 KT gold watch
the schmancy Bubinga with polished blade is one of
your finer $25 altrnatives.


Think the set runs about $100-$125

[Gunsmoke47]

I would hate to void the warranty. Even if I used it for more than slicing a tomato. My gosh!!!! I would be out 6 bucks if I used it as a screwdriver, center punch, or pry bar!

[woseyjales]

LOL @ gunsmoke
Yep you right, for what Opies cost they
would have to be considered expendable.
Which isn't necessarily a bad thing.

[Gunsmoke47]

Not a bad thing at all Wosey. I would buy 100 of them before I purchased a RR for the same price. But once again, that's just me. I have used my Opie off and on and I ain't broke the blade yet. Looks can be deceiving.

PS. I am trying to decide if you or Caleb (Johnny Twoshoes) takes the best pic's on this forum. Love your pictures.

[woseyjales]

I would be out 6 bucks if I used it as a screwdriver, center punch, or pry bar!

OOPs, you forgot to figure in the cost of ER
visit or worse....the amberlance ride!

Thanks for the kind words re the knife pics.
Doc said get outside and do something so I did.
Iffin I were you I'd go with Caleb.
He probably knows what he is doing.
I just pick out the best 4 shots of each kanife
to upload into fotopail then delete the other 36.

Here's another Opie shot I was playing with.
Couldn't find the checkerboard.

[Gunsmoke47]

Well you ought to get more than 7 points for that.