Opinel knives

[jackknifeh]

Great pics xcptnel. Now I'm hungry. :) I've uglied up my Opinel pretty good. I love the way it cuts though. I like it for eating also. The only one I have is the #6 and I have changed the handle a bunch. Sanded it removing the little hump on the top of the handle at the end of it. Also cut a notch to get tot he nail nick easier. Stained the handle with something I had in the house. Walnut??? Maybe.





The carbon steel takes a great edge too. :) Shorter blades are nice for intricate work as in whittling. Having a few Opinel's and then grinding the blades shorter as needed might be an option for a few low cost whittling knives. I've had the desire to start whittling but it never lasts. :)

Jack

[Ned]

That #8 looks much larger in your images than I imagined for some reason. It looks good...steak looks good!

[xceptnl]

The carbon steel takes a great edge too. :) Shorter blades are nice for intricate work as in whittling. Having a few Opinel's and then grinding the blades shorter as needed might be an option for a few low cost whittling knives. I've had the desire to start whittling but it never lasts. :)

Jack

I follow this user on Instagram because of his outstanding mods.

[Ned]

Wow! those are really cool...

[Editor Emeritus]

I've had my Opinel 9 for the better part of 35 years. Served me well, until I honourably, retired her. It now resides in my box of treasures, but take it out on occasion to admire its simplicity.

[JD Spydo]

I've seen those OPINEL blades in GARRETT WADE'S catalog several times and have wondered about them. Because GARRETT WADE doesn't sell 3rd World made crap. Actually when it comes to woodworking equipment and hard to find tools GARRETT WADE along with JAPANWOODWORKER both have great stuff for the most part.

They sort of remind me of a top notch Scandinavian blade design. And with the current popularity of Scandi knives I'm sure OPINEL has it's fans. But when it comes to fixed blades I'm finding Spyderco's stuff from 2001 till now some of the very best commercially made fixed blades. They are really stealing the show with many of their new fixed blade models like the Southfork, TEMP 2 and Warrior models. And hopefully we'll see more of them to come.

But if you want an inexpensive fixed blade I would recommend OPINEL or FROST MORA both for inexpensive good quality.

[Ned]

Most of the Opinels I have seen are folders, they do have some kitchen style knives though. :)

[.357 mag]

I just bought a 7 and love it.. I'll be hooked for sure.

[araneae]

Has anyone else tried the Slim models? Super thin blades make them amazing slicers. Best apple knife ever IMO. Those are some great looking mods.

[Ned]

Just ordered another! #6 Carbone...

[xceptnl]

Has anyone else tried the Slim models? Super thin blades make them amazing slicers. Best apple knife ever IMO. Those are some great looking mods.

kbuzbee and I have spoken about this before, we would love the slim in a carbon version or a carbon version in those more exotic handles.
I really like the slim blade better, but would rather have the carbon steel so I stick with the #6 or #8.

[xceptnl]

Has anyone else tried the Slim models? Super thin blades make them amazing slicers. Best apple knife ever IMO. Those are some great looking mods.

kbuzbee and I have spoken about this before, we would love the slim in a carbon version or a carbon version in those more exotic handles.

[jackknifeh]

I have always wondered about any lubrication or protection of the wood in the pivot. Yesterday I realized Balistol protects EVERYTHING. Never seen a product like this that is so versatile. Anyway, I used a drop or two on the pivot of my #6 and it seems to be working very well. I was always concerned about the wood swelling whenever it got wet with water or any oil or other liquid. The ballistol should work great since it is good for wood also. Says so right on the can. Look where the tip of my knife points.


I got the Ballistol a few months ago and have used it on knife pivots. It (like most oils) works fine. Sometimes there are stubborn pivots that require a more better ( :) ) lubricant like Nano-oil but this Ballistol seems to be an all-round great product. Been reading reviews and opinions of it for quite a while and all the good things seem to be true.

Jack

[DeathBySnooSnoo]

kbuzbee and I have spoken about this before, we would love the slim in a carbon version or a carbon version in those more exotic handles.
I really like the slim blade better, but would rather have the carbon steel so I stick with the #6 or #8.

I'd love the some of the other models in carbon too. As it stands I just have a No.6 because of that....though I have the urge to get a No.8 as well.

[Ned]

Wow Jack, that #6 looks so tiny next to your Stretch...I didn't realize just how small that knife is, I'll bet it just disappears in your pocket, especially considering how light they are.

[Ned]

Got my #8 and #6 Yesterday, both knives were less than sharp out of the packaging.



After a few minutes with the DMT fine/extra fine and my green compound loaded strop, they will both easily whittle hair! :D

[nirvanero]

Got my #8 and #6 Yesterday, both knives were less than sharp out of the packaging.

It seems they usually don't come very sharp. I prefer a much more stain resistant steel as ZDP-189 but it doesn't sharpen as easily (and my blue Stretch costs 11 times more than my #7!)

[Ned]

I LOVE ZDP-189! it is my favorite steel so far. I am really looking forward to the new Stretch.

[nirvanero]

I LOVE ZDP-189! it is my favorite steel so far. I am really looking forward to the new Stretch.

A very good steel which is both loved and hated. The new Stretch is promising, I'd like it to have a thicker handle as the FRN versions.

[Nate]

Bought a pair of Opinel paring knives a few months ago for under $20. We have been using them as steak knives. They take a beating on the ceramic plates, but are also simple to resharpen. I like them.




Flatiron steak tonight.