Author Topic: Opinel's. (Read 2067 times)

cbl51 · « **on:** January 17, 2009, 01:34:59 AM »

Any fans of them here?

I used to use high end knives, but I bought an Opinel out of curiosity several years ago, and was amazed at the cutting ability of it. I sold off/gave away my "expensive" knives, and now I use an Opinel for most of my cutting, teamed up with a small fixed blade in a jacket pocket for any really heavy duty or trout and bird use.

For 7.99 a number 7 opinel will do 99.9% of what pocket knife chores have to be done on a day-to-day basis.

Theres a certain liberating pleasure in using a low cost tool that works so well.

Foggy · « **Reply #1 on:** January 17, 2009, 01:46:55 AM »

I have several . Every coat that goes to the woods has one in the pocket, and I carry one in my hunting bag. thaey seem to be lose proof , not so with an eapencive knife

Foggy

cbl51 · « **Reply #2 on:** January 17, 2009, 02:12:13 AM »

Yeah, thats the odds. If it costs an arm and a leg it will disappear on you. But a 8 dollar Opinel hangs around. I tend to have them stashed around too. A number 9 in the car glove box, a number 8 in my daypack. Such handy knives that cost so little. I like to sand down the wood handles and give them a nice linseed oil finish that is more weather proof than the orange factory stuff. Other times I just sand them down, give it a Minwax stain and sealer, and after a few weeks finish it with Helmsman spar urathane. Makes it pretty water resistant.

What gets me, is that even after they've lost thier razor edge, they still cut pretty good because of the blade grind and shape. Even a dull Opinel will still saw its way through something.

Great knives.

Swampman · « **Reply #3 on:** January 17, 2009, 02:40:07 AM »

I like mine.

And my Queen Cutlery butcher too.

I don't use expensive knives much.

Joel · « **Reply #4 on:** January 19, 2009, 05:40:34 PM »

Don't care for them. They're too bulky for what they do and that slip ring doesn't impress me at all. It's a weak knife, good for light cutting, which is what a lot of folks do I guess. I owned two #8's years ago. One I lost and the other I left laying next to a deer gut pile about 50 yds from my house.
Never did bother going back for it.

bluntweapon · « **Reply #5 on:** January 31, 2009, 05:14:48 PM »

very nice knives made with good metal. They have been using the locking ring for over 100 yrs. and it is a dependable and solid design. I have had a number of (solid) lock back knives jam open under use or fail to engage and hold the blade open I have never had this problem with the opie

cbl51 · « **Reply #6 on:** February 01, 2009, 10:01:42 AM »

Quote from: Joel on January 19, 2009, 05:40:34 PM

Don't care for them. They're too bulky for what they do and that slip ring doesn't impress me at all. It's a weak knife, good for light cutting, which is what a lot of folks do I guess. I owned two #8's years ago. One I lost and the other I left laying next to a deer gut pile about 50 yds from my house.
Never did bother going back for it.

Did you have one fail on you? If in your opinion it's a weak knife, explain why you feel that way. Using them as an all around knife for everyday carry, I have found them to be quite durable. In fact, because they are so low price, I have pushed them harder than a more expencive knife I didn't what to screw up. I guess your milage may vary.

Joel · « **Reply #7 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:17:07 PM »

I've had the slip ring rotate on me, causing the knife to close when I didn't want it to. My fault obviously; I didn't move the ring slot far enough away...at least I musn't have. Still, that's very easy to do since it slides so easily; even more so as the handle/ring wear with age. One of the reasons I left that knife by the gutpile is because it WAS worn; and it didn't take long to happen The whole fit/finish is sloppy and, like I said, way too bulky for a folder. Try sticking one in your jean's pocket. Cheap wood, cheap steel, that does NOT hold a long lasting edge and cheap prices...they all go together. I carried a Buck 110 in 'Nam,as did nearly everyone else. I know I never saw an Opinel in that environment. I suppose the French had them, but we didn't see any of them

. As far as reliability of folders go, I've owned a lot of them over the last 58 years, and only had two cause me a problem that wasn't due to my neglect/misuse. Both those were Queen trappers; both of which had the back spring snap. I'm used to paying a reasonable price for any knife. I'm sure there are some cheap Chinese/Pakistan folders out there that sell for $3.99 over a SMKW that don't make the grade either. For the same reasons as the opinels don't. Maybe as a knife maker I've a skewed perspective as to what quality is, but I like a knife that is well put together and stays sharp; neither quality found in opinels. The Europeans use knives differently than we Americans. I had an Englishman(I sell most of my knives in the UK) tell me that for most of them "bush craft" equates to food preparation. As a tomato slicer the opinels are excellent, as a knife I would depend upon to do a number of woodcraft tasks well, they fall way short. I was out snowshoeing today. My folder was a Grohmann 300s lockback. Cost me $118.00 and is worth every penny. It's beautiful, built like a tank(something the opinels definitely are NOT) and holds an edge for a really long time. Snuggles into my hand like a fine tool. If a low cost, low quality knife suits your cutting needs, than by all means use them;however don't be surprised if some one who prefers craftsmanship, pride of ownership and quality over budget rent-a-knives takes exception to that philosophy.

Swampman · « **Reply #8 on:** February 01, 2009, 03:46:59 PM »

There's just something about using tools that don't break the bank. I was a patriot before 9/11 & I was frugal before it was in vogue. If I lose my Opinel or ruin it, I won't be upset for weeks.

cbl51 · « **Reply #9 on:** February 02, 2009, 05:49:25 AM »

Quote from: Joel on February 01, 2009, 03:17:07 PM

I've had the slip ring rotate on me, causing the knife to close when I didn't want it to. My fault obviously; I didn't move the ring slot far enough away...at least I musn't have. Still, that's very easy to do since it slides so easily; even more so as the handle/ring wear with age. One of the reasons I left that knife by the gutpile is because it WAS worn; and it didn't take long to happen The whole fit/finish is sloppy and, like I said, way too bulky for a folder. Try sticking one in your jean's pocket. Cheap wood, cheap steel, that does NOT hold a long lasting edge and cheap prices...they all go together. I carried a Buck 110 in 'Nam,as did nearly everyone else. I know I never saw an Opinel in that environment. I suppose the French had them, but we didn't see any of them . As far as reliability of folders go, I've owned a lot of them over the last 58 years, and only had two cause me a problem that wasn't due to my neglect/misuse. Both those were Queen trappers; both of which had the back spring snap. I'm used to paying a reasonable price for any knife. I'm sure there are some cheap Chinese/Pakistan folders out there that sell for $3.99 over a SMKW that don't make the grade either. For the same reasons as the opinels don't. Maybe as a knife maker I've a skewed perspective as to what quality is, but I like a knife that is well put together and stays sharp; neither quality found in opinels. The Europeans use knives differently than we Americans. I had an Englishman(I sell most of my knives in the UK) tell me that for most of them "bush craft" equates to food preparation. As a tomato slicer the opinels are excellent, as a knife I would depend upon to do a number of woodcraft tasks well, they fall way short. I was out snowshoeing today. My folder was a Grohmann 300s lockback. Cost me $118.00 and is worth every penny. It's beautiful, built like a tank(something the opinels definitely are NOT) and holds an edge for a really long time. Snuggles into my hand like a fine tool. If a low cost, low quality knife suits your cutting needs, than by all means use them;however don't be surprised if some one who prefers craftsmanship, pride of ownership and quality over budget rent-a-knives takes exception to that philosophy.

It sounds like you just don't like the Opinels. I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree. I've had one Opinel, oldest, since 1982. Its a bit thin in the blade now, but still usable. If you think the locking ring is too loose, just take it off and crip it a bit. I've tinkered with the opus a bit, and taylord them to my taste of how I like them to operate. They can be tightened or loosened at will with very little effort. I do file off a bit more metal on the top of the locking ring, so it will rotate almost 180 degrees.

As for edge holding, you must of got a bad one. Of the several I've had for many years, I'm more than happy. Even when they do get a bit dull, it can be touched up in a minute or two. I'd rather have a knife thats easy to touch up than hold a great edge but a bitch to sharpen.

Each to thier own though. It's a matter of taste I guess, like the old VW bug. You either loved them or hated them. YMMV.

rex6666 · « **Reply #10 on:** February 04, 2009, 09:01:22 AM »

I just can't believe i need one of these, unless to make sandwiches.
I have looked at them and they look just like an ice pick with a blade,
If i am going in the woods i am taking some thing i have no doubts about
not some lite weight piece that looks like it should be in the kitchen draw
hiding.

deernhog · « **Reply #11 on:** February 22, 2009, 03:19:13 PM »

For a $10 knife they can't be beat. But you can get better quality for less than $20 more. I like the blades on the ones I have handled even if they don't hold a edge as well as my Cases or Bucks.

Swampman · « **Reply #12 on:** February 23, 2009, 12:05:19 AM »

European knife mentality is different than here in this country. A knife is a tool. The more expensive the tool, the less likely it is to be used.

Joel · « **Reply #13 on:** February 23, 2009, 02:42:45 AM »

Not True. Look at the cost of "everyday" Scandinavian knives. Last time I checked I don't believe that the Finns, or any really hardworking part of the Scandinavian population, depend much on Mora's...except for fishing. The French Lagioules(sp) aren't cheap either, and that is a knife that is as popular as the Opinel over there. At least it can fit in your pocket. I do a lot of business in the UK and, trust me, the average woodcraft and bushcraft knives aren't cheap, among others. The English gladly pay much more than we do for well made knives. That, and I spent 6 years in Turkey, Spain and Northern Germany and Denmarl, plus a couple of years in Asia; not to mention England and Scotland, and never saw an Opinel or one of those cheap imports you find in SKMW being used in any serious way. No matter where you go in the world, those who require a tool tend to buy the best they can afford. Pretty much human nature.

deernhog · « **Reply #14 on:** February 23, 2009, 04:17:44 PM »

I have about 63 knives and I am ordering one of the Opinels to just make up my mind for my self. Found one for $9.63 with a 3 1/4 blade and Birch wood handle. What the hell walk a mile then decide for yourself.

Swampman · « **Reply #15 on:** February 24, 2009, 01:32:21 AM »

I have a bunch of expensive knives that sit in the drawer. I prefer my Opinel & my Queen Cutlery butcher knife.

bluntweapon · « **Reply #16 on:** February 24, 2009, 05:33:49 AM »

I have started making opies into custom whittling knives because there cheap and they hold a edge longer than the expensive custom knives i have had the misfortune of owning. I most carving knives will work on basswood but dried hardwoods take a much tougher knife and the opie blades do a good job. I also have owned a number of buck knives I certainly wouldn't say any of them were good at holding a edge. easy to break and easy to put a edge on but not durable.

Joel · « **Reply #17 on:** February 24, 2009, 08:48:23 AM »

If those opinel blades hold an edge better than those of a custom knife, then either(a) you were cheated, or (b) you're trying to possibly compare apples and oranges. If your custom blades have fairly thick blades and aren't thinly,i.e. flatground, then of course they won't whittle like a thin bladed opinel or mora, or custom blade...or any thin bladed knife factory or custom. The comparision doesn't even apply. At the same time, many of the wood working blades used by the Scandinavians and the Brits are fairly thick but have that zero Scandi grind and will really whittle wood. That's why they exist, primarily. The good ones ain't cheap. Comparing one knife against another can be pretty futile, you need to compare blades with the same blade thickness, geometry and edge to get a fair comparision.

deernhog · « **Reply #18 on:** February 24, 2009, 03:13:06 PM »

Speaking of apples and oranges. If your a CEO and have the cash buy the $350 customs to use on the $6000 guided hunt with your $2700 Weatherby that is fine. If you work at Walmart and go hunt on the local public hunting area with your Marlin 30-30, I bet that Opinel will suit him just fine because he won't ever know what a $350 + custom is like.

bluntweapon · « **Reply #19 on:** March 14, 2009, 03:05:43 AM »

Quote from: Joel on February 24, 2009, 08:48:23 AM

If those opinel blades hold an edge better than those of a custom knife, then either(a) you were cheated, or (b) you're trying to possibly compare apples and oranges. If your custom blades have fairly thick blades and aren't thinly,i.e. flatground, then of course they won't whittle like a thin bladed opinel or mora, or custom blade...or any thin bladed knife factory or custom. The comparision doesn't even apply. At the same time, many of the wood working blades used by the Scandinavians and the Brits are fairly thick but have that zero Scandi grind and will really whittle wood. That's why they exist, primarily. The good ones ain't cheap. Comparing one knife against another can be pretty futile, you need to compare blades with the same blade thickness, geometry and edge to get a fair comparision.

I was referring to production knives that are designed for whittling not custom made by hand for whittlers. Re-reading after you're post I realized i hadn't worded it properly.