What is good about opinel knives
- Thread starter swagman
- Start date
they are cheap so you can buy one and decide for yourself!
-About £5-10 depending on size,
-they are available in carbon steel,
-are easy to make into a non-locking version where this is a legal necessity are -easy to customise
-easy to keep sharp
-traditional looks
-About £5-10 depending on size,
-they are available in carbon steel,
-are easy to make into a non-locking version where this is a legal necessity are -easy to customise
-easy to keep sharp
-traditional looks
The reason they are so good is that they are well made and inexpensive. You're not gonna pay more than 8Pounds for one. I just bought my second one off Ebay for 13Euros with P&P.
My first one is still going great. Its a real versatile knife and as long as its not left wet, it wont give you any problems. My father recommended them to me as his father was a fisherman who used his for years.
Oh, and No. 8 all the way ;-)
My first one is still going great. Its a real versatile knife and as long as its not left wet, it wont give you any problems. My father recommended them to me as his father was a fisherman who used his for years.
Oh, and No. 8 all the way ;-)
They are very, very cheap and take a very sharp edge very easily. I certainly wouldn't say that they're better than any other knife, but they are extremely good value. Be aware that they're soft and thin though.
As for which one... The number 7 is a popular size, but it's up to you really...
As for which one... The number 7 is a popular size, but it's up to you really...
Indeed, I have a number eight and it is my favourite blade for whittling and carving etc. You can sharpen it to a razors edge on a flat piece of very fine wet and dry in about 2mins, and it cost me £6! Good for food prep round the fire as well (as long as you clean it straight afterwards due to the carbon steel)
Oh, and it also produces crazy sparks off my ferro rod.
I'd go for the number 8, I had a number 10 but I managed to shatter it. They aren't up for heavy tasks.
Oh, and it also produces crazy sparks off my ferro rod.
I'd go for the number 8, I had a number 10 but I managed to shatter it. They aren't up for heavy tasks.
That they are made of carbon still and relatively easy to hone. There was also, at least in the 70s, a sense that they were semi-disposable being a fairly cheap item.
The main failing, and I speak with some intimate experience, is their tendency to wear and become slack at the rotating interference securing point.
Be very aware of this, especially when undertaking tough chores, and regularly re-check lock-ring position. I have several gathering dust in a drawer with the tapering ring so worn it can be rotated without making contact with the blades heel.
Cheers
The main failing, and I speak with some intimate experience, is their tendency to wear and become slack at the rotating interference securing point.
Be very aware of this, especially when undertaking tough chores, and regularly re-check lock-ring position. I have several gathering dust in a drawer with the tapering ring so worn it can be rotated without making contact with the blades heel.
Cheers
Yeah, my original one is already gone like that. it rusted over, so I oiled it to free it up but the locking ring is so loose I need to make a concious effort to keep checking it. I think I might weld or solder mine permanently open and locked and then get a sheath for it.
They're simple, inexpensive, and personally, I find them safer than the lock-back type of folding knives. I have a No. 8, still going strong after several hunting trips, survival outings and many several bushcraft projects. And the price? It's like a folding Mora! 
Floyd Soul said:
They are apparently fairly easy to tighten up. Follow this link to see how to do it:-
http://www.opinel-musee.com/uk/couteau03.htm
............ doesn't matter if you screw it up ...... you can just spend a few bob and get a shiny new one
!
They are an excellent knife for the price, they are thin-bladed, good for carving and slicing and very easy to sharpen to a shaving edge. I have carried one every day for more than twenty years, and am on my third No.8. If they become tight, then tapping the end of the handle on your heel or a stone soon loosens the knife. Keeping it in your trouser pocket helps to dry it out from body warmth. They are so cheap that you won't worry about losing or damaging it .
Regards,
Doug.
.Regards,
Doug.
Mine gets a lot of use, though I agree with the too slack lock ring issue; check it often or it *will* bite you.
It's just such a useful knife, it takes a good edge, it keeps the edge well too, it's comfortable to use, it's a user of a knife, it is neat enough to get into small spaces, thin enough for dealing with food and yet strong enough that I have battoned with it (I know, *not* recommended, but it worked fine)
Oh, and have we mentioned that it costs buttons?
Cheers,
Toddy
It's just such a useful knife, it takes a good edge, it keeps the edge well too, it's comfortable to use, it's a user of a knife, it is neat enough to get into small spaces, thin enough for dealing with food and yet strong enough that I have battoned with it (I know, *not* recommended, but it worked fine)
Oh, and have we mentioned that it costs buttons?
Cheers,
Toddy
I can't stand Opinels, I hate them with a passion. I once had three of them, but they didn't last long. They're are though, a magnificently beautiful knife and that's probably why they're in the New York Museum of Modern Art. But that still doesn't make me LIKE them.
I don't the handles. It rains a lot where I live, and even if I re-varnish the wood, they still swell up and a "Savoyard knack" won't open the damn thing.
I don't like the carbon blades. Sure, they're easy to sharpen but they rust just sitting around in your pocket and the blades are far too thin to do anything other than deep slices.
I don't trust the lock either. I've had one slip on me, I almost lost my fingers.
My favourite knife in the whole world is an SAK. It has good steel, holds a more than decent edge, and it has TOOLS on it. Something that no Opinel will ever have.
But then again, this is only my opinion.
Adam
I don't the handles. It rains a lot where I live, and even if I re-varnish the wood, they still swell up and a "Savoyard knack" won't open the damn thing.
I don't like the carbon blades. Sure, they're easy to sharpen but they rust just sitting around in your pocket and the blades are far too thin to do anything other than deep slices.
I don't trust the lock either. I've had one slip on me, I almost lost my fingers.
My favourite knife in the whole world is an SAK. It has good steel, holds a more than decent edge, and it has TOOLS on it. Something that no Opinel will ever have.
But then again, this is only my opinion.
Adam
Alot of what you said has alot of merit, but the one thing about deep slices... I carve alot. Spoons, bear figurines, small masks, deadfalls.. even soapstone... and the Opinel is my favourite for carving. Thin blade, but easily controled. I've carved almost all of my stuff with my No. 08, because of how easily I can control the depth of the cut. Great for carving anything... except Soapstone, don't do thataddyb said:
I don't want to hijack the thread but just as matter of interest and I suppose it is related (mods remove/move if necessary). What would you consider a natural progression from an Opinel i.e. the next step up on the ladder of folding knives? and why is it the next step?
................. and you're not allowed to say "take the cash and buy X more Opinels" !
................. and you're not allowed to say "take the cash and buy X more Opinels"
!
addyb said:I can't stand Opinels, I hate them with a passion. I once had three of them, but they didn't last long. They're are though, a magnificently beautiful knife and that's probably why they're in the New York Museum of Modern Art. But that still doesn't make me LIKE them.
I don't the handles. It rains a lot where I live, and even if I re-varnish the wood, they still swell up and a "Savoyard knack" won't open the damn thing.
I don't like the carbon blades. Sure, they're easy to sharpen but they rust just sitting around in your pocket and the blades are far too thin to do anything other than deep slices.
I don't trust the lock either. I've had one slip on me, I almost lost my fingers.
My favourite knife in the whole world is an SAK. It has good steel, holds a more than decent edge, and it has TOOLS on it. Something that no Opinel will ever have.
But then again, this is only my opinion.
Adam
I carry both and love both!! And it is very wet in England !
Chris
For me its got be an EKA Swede or Masur. Simple yet beutiful hardworking tools.
Mark
Mark
Beer Monster said:I don't want to hijack the thread but just as matter of interest and I suppose it is related (mods remove/move if necessary). What would you consider a natural progression from an Opinel i.e. the next step up on the ladder of folding knives? and why is it the next step?
................. and you're not allowed to say "take the cash and buy X more Opinels"
OzaawaaMigiziNini said:Alot of what you said has alot of merit, but the one thing about deep slices... I carve alot. Spoons, bear figurines, small masks, deadfalls.. even soapstone... and the Opinel is my favourite for carving. Thin blade, but easily controled. I've carved almost all of my stuff with my No. 08, because of how easily I can control the depth of the cut. Great for carving anything... except Soapstone, don't do that
I hear ya, man. I don't carve though, so am I still entitled to my negative opinion and ferociously negative review?
Adam
