my new FAVORITE knife

[hillbillydruggist]

I purchased a new Opinel knife the other day, very inexpensive, very light, can be sharpened very easy.

knives for me are disposable item, I never lose keys, phone, money clip, but I always lose my pocket knives, this seems like I found the perfect one for me

 

[hillbillydruggist]

I purchased a new Opinel knife the other day, very inexpensive, very light, can be sharpened very easy.

knives for me are disposable item, I never lose keys, phone, money clip, but I always lose my pocket knives, this seems like I found the perfect one for me

I really like it

 

[jbtrucker]

I looked at Opinel knives a few months ago , there are a lot of Opinel collectors and videos.

 

[Onomea]

I love 'em, too. At about $15 a pop, what's not to like? I have several, and often give them away. Use for my EDC, along with a SAK Waiter model.

Did you know there is one displayed in NYC's Museum of Modern Art as an outstanding design?

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

I already have to hide most of my knives, I will try to pretends that I did not read this.

 

[kwselke]

Carbon steel or stainless blade? What number?

 

[hillbillydruggist]

Carbon steel or stainless blade? What number?

carbon no. 8

something that I did not know ahead of time, when they get wet the wood swells and sometimes wont open easy, but just dry it out and its fine

 

[mauser9]

Lost a couple myself. Finally smartened up and bought a couple with a pocket clip. Much better!

 

[Marshwheeling]

You have discovered perhaps the best bargain in the knife world.

I have been a fan of Opinels since discovering them in the L.L. Bean catalog about 45 years ago. I used to buy them by the fistful to stash on my touring bikes, and by the case for Christmas gifts. Their appealing attributes included the elegant simplicity of their lock-ring design, their slicing ability, and, not least, their price.

Their one drawback was a lumpy profile in the pocket, due to the round handle and the flared pommel. It didn't bother me at the time, since I always carried my knives on the motorbike, not on my person.

In recent years, I started carrying a pocket knife more regularly. A couple of years ago, I learned how easy it is to modify an Opinel by sanding or whittling the handle for more comfortable pocket carry. The No.6 is the one I prefer to carry, although I sometimes carry a modified No.8. Currently, I have a No.7 undergoing minor surgery. The 6, 7, and especially the 8 are the most popular sizes. I prefer the carbon steel, and will buy it if I can, but some models come only in stainless.

The effect of moisture on the blade's action can be reduced somewhat by melting vaseline or beeswax into the pivot and blade well. They may still change with the seasons, getting tighter in the summer's humidity, then loosening up as the air dries out in wintertime.

 

[Onomea]

I like the carbon steel #8, currently less than $10 from Amazon... I like the size of the rounded handle. Find it comfortable, provides a good grip, and since my pants are baggy, like me, no need for a slim profile here!

 

[shouldazagged]

Opinels are a fantastic value. The carbon steel is 1090, not 1095, but holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen.

I like the #8 and #7 sizes, but for a while I owned a big #12 that would have made a great addition to a camp cooking outfit.

I had one #8 with a spear point blade, apparently something not very common in this country but well known in France.

If you let a carbon blade soak for a while in white vinegar it develops a fine blue-grey patina that helps resist rust. I've done several that way.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Opinels are a fantastic value. The carbon steel is 1090, not 1095, but holds an edge well and is easy to sharpen.

I like the #8 and #7 sizes, but for a while I owned a big #12 that would have made a great addition to a camp cooking outfit.

I had one #8 with a spear point blade, apparently something not very common in this country but well known in France.

If you let a carbon blade soak for a while in white vinegar it develops a fine blue-grey patina that helps resist rust. I've done several that way.

The No.8 Garden Knife has a spear point. It has a tapered handle that pockets very easily. INOX only. Even more to my taste is a drop point. I have not seen an Opinel that came with a drop point, but it is not too difficult to convert the trailing point with a Dremel, or a good, sharp file. I have dropped the points on several of my Opinels, including the 6 and 8 pictured above. The other victims include a No.10 Slim that needs another ten or fifteen minutes' work as well as a recently-acquired No.7.

Another common mod is a sheepsfoot, which requires the blade be shortened quite a bit to get to the straight part of the edge. Although a sheepsfoot is quite handy, I have not been tempted to carve up an Opinel to make one because an Okapi Biltong can be had so cheaply.

 

[Jaymo]

I love Opinel and Douk-Douk knives.
For fixed blade knives that are high quality and inexpensive, I like Mora.

 

[Marshwheeling]

"Opinel and Mora. All else is vanity." Just kidding. There is a grain of truth to the old saw, but there is also a place for $200.00 knives and $600.00 knives. However, if your purpose in having a knife is to cut stuff, then you are going to have to go some to do better.

 

[shouldazagged]

The No.8 Garden Knife has a spear point. It has a tapered handle that pockets very easily.

My spear point #8 was carbon steel, with the normal handle that flared at the butt.

 

[Marshwheeling]

My spear point #8 was carbon steel, with the normal handle that flared at the butt.

I have never seen one like that,but I would love to have one.

 

[-db-]

A No. 6

 

[chief38]

Never owned one but do understand they are about the best bang for the buck, easy to sharpen and hold their edge. I have never been a fan of stainless steel knives and so the Opinel should serve you quite well!

 

[ExRanger714]

I carry an Opinel No. 12 folding lock-ring saw in my hunting gear for when I'm going to brush in my set up or to clear errant vegetation. I bought it for a fraction of what they go for now.

It's double row of needle sharp teeth are angled to cut-on-the-pull. With a decent ergo handle to hang on to it goes through most small brush and limbs with one good pull and it is much quieter than a chopping tool.

I had to make a sheath out of 3" nylon webbing as the handle profile was too big to use 2" but you get a good, hand-filling lightweight grip.

 

[Marshwheeling]

A No. 6

Did you make the mods to the knife? I am curious about the semicircular notches on the spine. What is their purpose?

I see your knife has the newer lock ring design, which has been the subject of a lot of discussion. Does it work satisfactorily for you?

 

[Sam Casey]

Geez ... I like good and cheap, but not ugly. For another $10 you can own a Light Weight Buck 110. Scary sharp and much easier to look at.

 

[Marshwheeling]

Eye of the beholder.

 

[-db-]

Did you make the mods to the knife? I am curious about the semicircular notches on the spine. What is their purpose?

I see your knife has the newer lock ring design, which has been the subject of a lot of discussion. Does it work satisfactorily for you?

Yes, it's a newer one and the ring works fine, no problems at all. I added the small cuts to the spine with a round file to provide more purchase for a thumb or index finger placed atop the blade. Knife nuts call this gimping (or jimping).

 

[sodacan]

I have several. At the office, car, home, etc. You don't go into a funk if you lose one, and they give you a lot of bang for the buck. Carbon steel only for me. Much easier to sharpen.

 

[robvious]

I gave laser engraved number 7's to my son and his circle of friends for their high school graduation... the custom shop in the USA was great and they looked awesome... oh... great knives... have a number 2 as a conversation piece... so cute...

 

[Marshwheeling]

Yes, it's a newer one and the ring works fine, no problems at all. I added the small cuts to the spine with a round file to provide more purchase for a thumb or index finger placed atop the blade. Knife nuts call this gimping (or jimping).

I only have one knife with the new design, a No.7. I bought the knife specifically for two reasons.
1) to see if the new design worked right. There had been some reports about the new knives not locking open solidly because the nub and groove prevented the ring from turning far enough. Mine worked fine as well.

2) to see how difficult it was to modify the lockring to work like the older design. That involved grinding off the nub on the lockring, and grinding or filing a second locking ramp to the left of the slot, giving a choice of which way to turn it. I am accustomed to turning the ring counterclockwise. The new rings can only be turnrd a quarter turn clockwise. Some users found the steel too hard to file easily with hand tools. It was quick and easy with a dremel.

 

[STCM(SW)]

"I have never been a fan of stainless steel knives and so the Opinel should serve you quite well! "

It does me well just not small enough for pocket carry.
But a "GO TO " knife for most things!

 

[VictorLouis]

The new lock-ring design helps if you simply want to pocket carry with less chance of it opening a wee bit in your pocket.

 

[JayFramer]

Oh, how I love my little Opi!!

Mines taken a pretty gray patina and I flame darkened the finish and sealed it with bee's wax. I did snap the tip off but reground it back in a flash. Classy and mines came WICKED sharp from the factory!!!

 

[mrchuck]

Brings back memories for me! I served MACV-SOG in the early '60's on the Cambodian line. Every North Vietnam soldier and their Cong tribesmen had one of these shoved up their butt.
Had a bucket full of them.
I kept one for my memories and still have it.
All were made in France, and ended up there in the Indo-Chinese wars.
Still sharp and the rotating blade lock is distinctive.