r/Opinel

I’m currently backpacking Europe and stumbled upon the opinel store in Annecy France. Have used this thing everyday since.

What is the best Handle Material ? I feel like every Handle Material of Opilels and also other knifes has a clue like that Wooden handles will mess up over time or that Outdoor handles just dont feel good every material has some Issues so i want to know what is your favourite handle material and why ?

This thing must have been dead stock (yellow) for at least a decade 🤣

Yard work this weekend has made me realize that this is the most mis-understood knife in the KnifeBro community (myself included until this)… I think it’s time to “upgrade” to a No.8 to really dial up the efficiency. ❤️

Some years ago I discovered Opinel, bought the N°08 of course, first carbon, but the blade got rust quickly (though I cut lemons with it), then inox which is easier to clean. Then another inox so I have enough folding knives, using them in the kitchen. As I don't have fine moto skills, folding a sharp knife is nice.

But for travel I found it too big. Not too heavy, just too big, and added a N°07. Just a little bit smaller, my big hand has just slightly less secure grip and the blade is still nicely long. Only problem: Still to big for my pockets.

This year, I added a N°06. Again just slightly smaller than the 07, but compared to 08 somehow substantially smaller. The handle grip noticeably more finicky. Finally it fits my pockets though, meaning I actually take it onto travel! Turns out, the blade is long enough. Cutting an apple, hard cheese, or something else, it works well thanks to Viroblock, and the blade which allows me to use the thumb or index finger to apply additional force. Smaller than 08 for sure, but still a real knife.

I am very happy with this travel-size Opinel!

What is your 06 experience?

Found in my local woodland. It was covered in rotting leaves and looked like the blade was rusted shut but with a bit of care I managed to get it open and the blade was only slightly oxidised and still very sharp.
After cleaning I oiled the handle but left it looking rustic.

I wanted to reshape the blade and handle on my no8 as well as add a pocket clip. I hand-sanded the sides of the handle flat, removed the tail from the bottom, and tried coating in olive oil and baking to darken it. An old CRKT clip was then added. I have like no experience using power tools and burnt up the tip of the blade by going too hard and fast with the dremel at first, so the tip profile is a bit stubbier than I'd have liked. I wasn't that successful in grinding the spine smooth either, as you can see in the second picture. I'm happy enough with it but I'll probably try again at some point having learned from my mistakes.

Fresh from eBay is my latest Opinel, a well loved No.8 of unknown vintage straight from France. Is there a way to discern an approximate age based on the features? The locking ring says 'No. 8 Virobloc Brevete' and there is no 'Made in France' on the ring. Nothing at all on the handle. There is also no indication of Carbon or Stainless on the blade, but given the patina I assume it's Carbon steel?

Looking forward to cleaning this one up a bit - not too much though, I kinda dig the 'patina' on the ring and blade!

Thanks in advance to anyone that can help me place an approximate age on this one.

Dropped the point on the blade, put mustard patina, sanded down the original beech handle and put some grooves on it also changed the profile of it a bit. Put olive oil on it and baked it for an hour to give it this dark color and after that dipped it in linseed oil for half an hour and let it dry. I did it two times. Also cold blued the pivoting point to give it a bit more rust protection

What should I pay attention to now? The end grain is all crooked and slanted, but how do you sand a flat heel? Where else should I sand? Right now, I'm lifting the nap and cutting it to p600. I started with p120, then p180, then p400.

kinda liking it :D from regular daily use and care, a lot of cutting food while grilling!

Unfortunately, there doesn’t seem to be a carbon steel version of the rounded kids’ Opinel, so I modified one myself.

I’m a big fan of carbon steel anyway, and I actually think it’s a nice choice for a kid. It’s a good way to learn to take care of your tools, and at some point she can learn to sharpen it herself too, which is nice and easy with carbon steel.

For now I just sanded and oiled the handle. If anyone has a cool idea for naturally staining or coloring the wood, let me know!

Is this layer of patina enough for me, have I overdone it?

Patina forced and darkening of the handle.

For blade I put in a glass of apple vinegar for 15 minutes. Then I took it out, clean it thoroughly, heated the vinegar in the microwave for 2 minutes and put the blade back in for another 15 minutes.

For handle I sanded it down a bit to remove the factory finish, rubbed a coat of olive oil onto the handle, and put it in the oven for half an hour on each side. Once I took it out and cooled, I applied more oil to darken it even further.

I found this and two others in a barn in France 10 years ago. I love the patina and the nice grain to the wood. The day I found it I used a chainsaw file to add the grip to the handle and it has been a trust carry ever since

Where the Fuck does any of this not acceptable? I posted this to six reedits and all were refused. This is knives, knives. KNIVES. Opinel. Swiss Army. I have a cigar. Why in all that is God loved does not anybody accept my knives???