I really love my Opinels.
I'm not much of a hobby man(don't have the patience
) and they are nice little "projects" as well; taking off the collar, sanding down the handle, darkening it above the stove, sanding it again.
Letting it soak in line sead oil, letting it dry. Then a thick layer of vasoline all over it and in all nooks and crannies, take a blow dryer until the vasoline starts to run all over the handle. Letting it dry again and wipe off the excess.
Now the handle is pretty much water resistant.
Take some vinegar to force patina and within an afternoon I get a brand new Opinel about 20 years older
That's why I prefer au carbon because there's nothing as nice IMO than a Opinel with "weathered" handle and a nice grey blade.
Furthermore they are far from fragile.
When I started my first job as a flexographic printer they issued us with carbon steel Opinels.
We used them as real working knives
- cutting thick plastic foil and tie ribs
- cutting the remaing foil from the cardboard roll by taking the knife in 1 hand and putting pressure on the spine of the blade with the other hand to cut away the remaining layers of foil.
- scraping ink and other
- light prying
The Opinel never gave out and all it took were a few swipes on the stone and it was shaving sharp again.
I used up about an Opinel a year in that time
Next to my Alox Solo they are my favourite traditionals/classics.:thumbup: