Opinel Saw

[Waldganger]

Hi there guys.

I'd like to hear what everyone thinks of this saw.

Number 12

Is there anything better in the same price range?

The cheapness is the appeal, and it would probably be a quick fix job until I find out how much I'll actually use a saw.

At the moment my chopping is thrown between my Roselli Axe, and Busse Battle Mistress.
The saw would be for the few times I'd need to be precise or couldn't swing (few and far between IMO)

Thanks in advance

 

[Buckshot]

IIRC these are fairly expensive compared to some pruning saws. I saw one in for £5 in a local DIY store the other day
The opinals go for more than that I think
Opinals are much smaller than normal pruning saws I've seen and they lock closed too.
I have a couple and like them but I use a laplander more - maybe because It's nearest to hand
BTW saws are much more energy effecient than axes - although I agree not as much fun to use!

Mark

 

[JohnL]

I have an opinel no. 12 & I think it is a good saw for the money, it is more expensive than lots of pruning says available, but I think it is much better made, I have hade mine for quite a while and it has no blade wobble etc.
& it looks more bushcrafty!

 

[Waldganger]

Thanks guys.

Mark, I'd end up spending 43AUD shipped.
What kind of comparable saws could I look at?
I'd like reliability (brands I trust) and efficiency.

John, Thanks for the thumbs up. I like to be able to support a local supplier, and I was looking at getting a number 8 carbon for food/skinning work around camp. I like the simplicity in the system.

 

[Waldganger]

should I save for one of these?

http://www.rei.com/product/800462

second pic is locked open, in a pistol type grip.

 

[Peat]

I have both the opinel saw and a bahco lapplander and I do much prefer the latter. It cuts more agressively and has a longer blade. However, the opinel is a nice convenient size for a pocket. But really, with a saw, blade length is a definate advantage.

 

[Gill]

should I save for one of these?

http://www.rei.com/product/800462

second pic is locked open, in a pistol type grip.

No you should save for a silky saw.

 

[Matt.S]

My CK pruning saw works real nice, though TBH I have little to directly compare it with, having never used a Laplander, Opi saw or Silky. Cost me around £10. Doesn't lock closed but I made a little oilcloth sheath for it.

Drywall/plasterboard saws, though cheap, have far too large teeth IMO. I've been wanting to try a compass saw as these can be got for not much money and have other uses.Of course they aren#t folding.

 

[Longstrider]

Around camp, or on a dedicated wood-cutting trip the Bahco Laplander is a better tool. I have both the Laplander and an Opinel saw. Mine is a slightly different design Opi to the one you've shown in that it doesn't lock closed and has a standard Opinel knife handle shape. The Opinel gets used more often simply because it's smaller and more convenient to carry. It goes shooting with me always and the weight of it goes un-noticed in my bag. Very useful for quietly trimming odd branches and sticks when settling into a makeshift hide where you don't want the distinctive sound of a large knife taking a swipe at them to echo around the woodland The Opinel is small enough to carry easily in a trouser or normal jacket pocket, and it cuts well.
The only real downside of the Opinel is it's limited size when attacking larger stuff, and the fact that I have to keep a rubber band around it to stop it opening in my bag.
For larger wood, such as you might want for firewood and the like, then the Laplander is a better tool.

Either saw will work well on the sort of job they are designed for, you just have to decide what you want to do with the thing before you can choose between them

 

[Buckshot]

Exactly, horses for courses
My Opi locks closed too, was yours an old version?
I know some of my old opi knives don't have the notch that locks closed but my new ones do.

Mark

 

[Longstrider]

My Opi locks closed too, was yours an old version?

Let's say it's done a few miles