Opinel Appreciation

[Salop Matt]

Last night I was on call for work so couldn’t drink and TV was pants so I got all my knives out and sharpened them! (EKA No:8, 2 x Opinel, None descript big folder I’ve never used)

 

I couldn’t help but reminis about the Opinel, I remember as a scout having a Swiss army knife and i loved it and its what all the others had apart from 1 lad who had a Opinel.....And for some reason I always wanted an opinel once I had seen this other lads, definite jealousy there even though it was a fifth of the cost of mine and only had a single blade. The single blade Opinel always seemed to do everything we did with the Swiss’s and was always so much sharper.

Anyway my Opinel is now back to shaving sharp and cleaned up with a little wire wool! But it got me thinking, loads of folk must have one or two but with so many sizes to choose from etc which do you have and why out of curiosity?

 

ATB

 

Matt

[bi9johnny]

got a no.8 i think it is but the wife bought me the new plastic handle one with a built in whistle for xmas top knives

 

i used one once on a shoot and stuck it in a fence post while i cleaned my hands and forgot it .... picked it up over a year later bit weathered but still usable

[ditchman]

i like them too......drilled a hole in mine and thread a leather bootlace thro'........

[figgy]

I have a number 8 I think it is, blade is just over 4".

 

Used at work and play for couple years now and still shave sharp.

 

Figgy

[Blackpowder]

Got two the same size, used for processing game for own use, ditto fish and they do take a razor sharp edge. One of the best things ever from France.

 

Blackpowder

Edited January 24, 2013 by Blackpowder

[Zapp]

I wouldnt use anything else.

[Whitebridges]

Got No's 6,8 and 9. Used Opinel knives for years and agee with Zapp.

 

[paddywack12]

No. 6 for me. The perfect pocket knife nice and light and razor sharp.

Not to expensive that you worry about losing it.

[hodge911]

no8 polished the blade to a mirror finish wire wool and solvol like everone says razor sharp

what can you buy for the price of the opinel that you can keep SHARP easily and your not that bothered if you loss it

[Dirty Harry]

I got my boys one of these each for Christmas.

http://www.opinel.com/uk/tradition/mon-premier-opinel/ndeg07-bout-rond-rouge

They have been pestering me for a penknife for a while and I thought these would be safer without the point. They were being used under supervision when my 6 year old went through his finger. A trip to A&E and some superglue and it was all fixed?

Both kids have a lot of respect for the knives now they have seen what happens when it goes wrong.

 

Harry

[Dunkield]

They are rubbish

 

But for all you lovers, I have a picture somewhere of they entire (?) range in a shop window, I will dig it out provided you don't get too excited

[cant hit rabbits 123]

I've got a number 7, with a green handle! Its fantastic and will last me many more years I'm sure.

[NickB65]

My first Opinel was given to me when I first started beating at the age of eight. 39 years later and it is still going storng, still keep a pefect edge and is my number one blade when out shooting. I now have three as I keep forgetting to pack them..... one in the gun bag - one n the fishing box and another in a leather belt pouch which I carry when out walking.

 

Have not found a better knife yet... just dont cut food with them and the blade taints the food.

[mark a]

^{hi chaps}

^{looking for a good sharpener,what do you all use to sharpen your pocket/hunting knives}

^mark

[billytheghillie]

^{hi chaps}

^{looking for a good sharpener,what do you all use to sharpen your pocket/hunting knives}

^mark

 

i use a small blade -tec (think thats what its called) on my opinels. the one that fits on keyring, about a tenner.

[Salop Matt]

Same here, a Blade-Tec ! Seems great on the Opinels but can chew other blades.

 

If I really want to spend time and end up razor sharpe i have a Lansky sharpening system and boy ar knives sharpe after that !

 

[arjimlad]

I had a no7 when I was 10, which my son uses now. The wood has shrunk a little, and I found that it can open in your pocket if you are not careful. I put some masking tape in the slot to help hold it in. My no8 has its own leather belt pouch and is a jolly useful tool.

 

The latest Opinels now have a little snib cut out of the bottom of the rotating collar so that they can be locked shut as well as locked open. My sons each have a lovely no 7 in this new design.

[paul87]

^{hi chaps}

^{looking for a good sharpener,what do you all use to sharpen your pocket/hunting knives}

^mark

I use a gerber diamond pocket sharpener, only cost about £3 but half a dozen pulls through the course side and the same with the fine side and the opinel is shaving sharp. I'd recommend it for use with the opinel

[FalconFN]

I've got 3, a 6, 7 and an 8 but I always take my carbon no7 with me. The stainless are nice but don't hold an edge as well as carbon.

[Big Mat]

I use a no 7. My parents brought it back from france when they moved back in 89.

[matthewwhitbread333]

i got a opinel no 8, perfect size, great for doing pheasants, rabbits, pigeons etc. They sharpen up lovely using a blade tech.

Must have knife, use it all the time.

 

Matt

[Zapp]

I use an ordinary sharpening steel on mine.

[Dunkield]

Found it, I think that must be all of them, no?

 

[la bala]

I use an ordinary sharpening steel on mine.

at what angle do you use the sharpening steel Zapp, i am pants at sharpening a blade.

[Zapp]

Very shallow with the opinels, as there is no "shoulder" to the edge.