Thoughts on my Opinel knives

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joneb

joneb

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About 2 years ago I bought a Opinel #10 stainless and a #9 carbone
https://www.thehighroad.org/index.php?attachments/image-2-jpeg.763147/ They begged me to mod them.
Well after using these knives for a couple of years I prefer the stainless over the carbone. This is just a steel preference and has nothing to do with the size difference of these knives. I will say the difference is slight, but depending on the environment were the knives are used it maybe more of a consideration.
I just wanted to share my opinion on this.
After clipping the points on these two knives and reshaping the handles I have a #8.5 and a #9.5 : )
 
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Of the 60 or so knives in and around this house, there are a couple of those also. For some reason I can’t explain I’ve always though of them as fishing knifes.
 
I have a couple questions for those that own these knifes...

1- any problems with rusting?
2- do they keep their edge pretty well?
3- are they difficult to sharpen?

Thanks for your help!
 
hso said:
They are about the very best value in a folder there is. I keep one in every small kit.

The Scandinavian Moras fill that role for fixed blades. Those go in the packs and vehicles.
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Interesting. I do not consider myself a "knife guy" and have never been drawn to knives because of a Brand for the Brand's sake, but I have always been interested in knives.

I stumbled across Mora-style blades a few decades ago and have, so far, accumulated about 10. They are my primary "woods" blades. When I grab a rifle for a walkabout on the farm, I also slip a Mora onto my belt. When I mow, which does not lend itself to comfortable handgun carry, I attach a Mora to the rear of the yard tractor hood.

That said, there is something about Opinels that has always intrigued me. I have never even touched one, but if I am paging thru a print magazine or forum and come across a pic of an Opinel I find that I just stop and look at it ... and it brings a smile to my face. Like I said it is something but I do not know what. Perhaps it is simply the utilitarian exotic-ness of the knives.

I think that maybe I need to buy one just to see if that smile either diminishes .. or increases. :)

Off to find a good online deal for an Opinel ...

Thanks for the Thread, joneb!
 
I'm very fond of the #8 carbon Opinel I was given many years ago by my USMC best buddy. I carry it every day now in a pouch on my belt. They're very lightweight which is nice. And the lock is so simple and so foolproof. Plus they're just plain cool knives. I know it to be true because my grandson told me so.

opinel.jpg
 
Armored farmer said:
Let us know what you find?
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Hahaha, I have already ordered a Nº7 stainless ($15) from Amazon ... it should be delivered on Tuesday.

Not only do I have a feeling that this may be only my first Opinel, if I like it as much as I think that I will this will become an "Opinel Christmas" with Santa putting Opinels in all of the adult stockings. ;)
 
Big fan of the opies for light work. Not exactly great for chopping.

I modded mine up:
index.php

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For the patina I used lemon juice and water on a paper towel, wrapped it up for a few minutes and then let it air dry. Worked pretty good.

They take and hold a VERY good edge.
 
I bought a #8 decades ago while in France and it's serves us very well in the picnic basket slicing crusty bread, cheese, salami, etc...
I recently picked up a new #8 with the improved lock which now locks the blade open OR closed. Very cool!
Here's the history of Opinel
https://www.opinel.com/en/the-brand/opinel-story#story-1800

...and your Opinel language lesson for the day---
 
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They are one of my favorite knives to give. For kids, I like to give the "My First Opinel," which is a Stainless #7 with a rounded point. For others, a #6 or #8 in Stainless. I have a Carbone but I would not give one to someone who doesn't understand what care it takes. I like to give classic Case slipjoints too, but I have to like the person about 5X as much.
 
whughett said:
Of the 60 or so knives in and around this house, there are a couple of those also. For some reason I can’t explain I’ve always though of them as fishing knifes.
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Same here; until I discovered the cult following these little things have, that's exactly what I always thought of them as (and used them for).
 
My only complaint with a Opinel is the wood swells when wet making the blade hard to open. Its a bugger to use wearing gloves.
When the world was a kinder place I enjoyed decades of Opinel use.
 
earplug said:
My only complaint with a Opinel is the wood swells when wet making the blade hard to open. Its a bugger to use wearing gloves.
When the world was a kinder place I enjoyed decades of Opinel use.
Click to expand...
This may help,
 
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I have all sorts of "special" knives for all sorts of "specialized" tasks but I find that most of the time when I just need a knife, the #9 carbone jumps into my hand.

If they made a trainer I'd take it to my MBC class. :p
 
I should add this, the short goofy lanyard on the #9 carbon works well for me when the knife is in the pant leg pocket of my Carhartt work jeans, it gives me a purchase on the knife. this is my pocket knife.
 
 
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