What are Opinels like?

[Gotte]

Saw one in Decathlon, a number 8, not expensive - £7.99, but I often find that Decathlon stuff is, while not the best, certainly not the worst, and on the whole pretty decent.
Anyone know if Opinels are okay for general usage?

 

[Gill]

You will not regret spending the £8 buddy!

 

[bushwacker bob]

Very very sharp and easy to keep that way.
also easy to mod if you prefer a spearpoint or dont like the dead fish look.

 

[Toddy]

Agreed

Opinel's are just good knives Not posh, just a comfortable, useful pocket knife that doesn't break the bank

cheers,
Toddy

 

[Gotte]

Thanks for that. Will take a trip to Decathlon tomorrow and pick one up.

All the best

Phil

 

[JAG009]

I have had a no12 opinel for 11 years now and it still going strong ,good cheap pocket knife

Jason

 

[Everything Mac]

get one.

end of.

 

[ex member coconino]

They're great, I've used them for years. Just double-check that the collar locks closed as well as open, there were some made a few years ago which didn't, so one of mine lives with an elastic band around it.

 

[jimbo75]

Handy little things. Prefer my s.a.k. though!

 

[jonnie drake]

not a big fan, had the larger saw blade and the lock just seemed to jam up with crap.

 

[JDO330]

Brilliant things, love em'.

 

[flexo]

indeed they are! as a french man i use one off them since my early childhood,they can do everything,if no lateral stress.
i remember making slingshots all by opinel,from cutting the branch (hazel) shaping,cutting evenly to size, making grooves to recieve the bicycle tire wich holds the car (or better still tractor)tire , tire cut by the same,leather too...

 

[mountainm]

I misused both mine as a teenager and now miss them... they were brilliant.

 

[Highbinder]

Prefer mine to my SAK. Thin blade which slices better than anything else I have, and easy to keep sharp, too. Mine is a size 6 which IMO is perfect, and a good size for eating fruit and for at the dinner table. If it had a can opener SAK attachment I'd be in heaven.

 

[Loenja]

great knife
and the handle can be carved

 

[robin wood]

Very thin, very good carbon blade. The locking mechanism is good but means it is not legal to carry in public without a reason (same as a bushcraft knife or kitchen knife)

 

[shortyman]

Like everyone else has said a great knife. The lock is simple and works well but like Robin Wood says because it locks it's a fixed blade and therefore illegal in public without good excuse.

Just thinking about the whole lock thing. Opinels don't automatically lock so are possibly a bit of a grey area...

 

[mrcharly]

It doesn't have to be an automatic lock. No grey area, unfortunately.

Opinels are an example of truly great design. Comfortably handle, fantastic blade - the shape is near perfect for general use and sharpening. Cheap to manufacture. Just perfect.

 

[northumbrian]

Very thin, very good carbon blade. The locking mechanism is good but means it is not legal to carry in public without a reason (same as a bushcraft knife or kitchen knife)

just pop the ring off its easy and make sure its a no.6 or less !

 

[locum76]

I never have less than three. Number 6 is my favourite.