Opinel 6 carbon steel review

G

greebozz

Joined
Jun 30, 2006
Messages
58
The number6 is too small really but is under 3" so it is slightly more leagal in the UK, The knife is like going back to the stone age, particularly as it is quite stiff both the open and lock. lock an main pin more substatial that I expected.

IT has a very thin springy blade, the blade is what this knife is about, it is an extraorinary cutter and slicer. It is like Cutthoat razor, opinel and then normal knife.

I brought the edge bevels down to about ten degrees, used wet and dry paper up to 1200 grit and then stropped. probably the sharpest I have ever got a knife, there are grades to a blade popping hairs off your arm.

The edge was a little delicate for a hard whittling session. I plan to get a number 9 or ten for the tool box, very good slicing knife.

Also it stands up on its head handy for finding when you put it down.

If only they would put that blade in a slipjoint.

Overall good knife to play around with get one they cost nothing.
 
I brought mine down to 3-5 degrees, cut really well on foods and such, came apart readily on woods, large dents you could see by eye just trimming some limbs. I run it now with a 10 degree edge, no jigged, so it is more like a 8/12 convex bevel. Holds up fine for wood work including cutting through knots and such. Nice knives if you accept the limitations on carry, opening/closing, etc. .

-Cliff
 
Hi Cliff, opening my swiss army knife feels like a tacktical flick knife after handling the Opinel.

I have sent off for a Sodbuster from the US you cant get them in the uk I have high hopes of and good honest Carbon slipjoint.
 
I have an Opinel # 6 and really like it. I wouldn't worry about the stiffness as it will loosten up after a time. Good luck with the Sodbuster.. I have a Brown Mule that I am very fond of!
 
I have one no6, two no8 and one no10. the no6 and no8 are kind of convex ground and the no10 is flatground.
If the edge has enough support they are good for camping stuff like foodprep and mild woodwork, very easy to keep sharp and for the price hard to beat.
Sadly they dont like liquids. Once the pivot is soaked its hard to open and close the knives. After a bad expirience with an wet Opi ,take care with wet opi's.
So much i like wooden handles i wish they would offer one with plastic handle.
 
I picked up the #6 in both carbon and stainless. I keep the stainless in my lunch bag at work and use it on fruit and meat. I use the carbon on envelopes, cardboard and other packaging materials. A few swipes on the Sharpmaker at 40 degrees is all it takes to keep 'em nice and sharp.
 
Thought I would update this have recieved my Kissing Crain sodbuster, and am very pleased with it. IT makes an interesting contrast with the Opinel.

The finish is a little rough but it is all there, strong spring nice brass liners and wood handle. Makes a great thunk when opening. Blade is much thicker than the Opinel. It is a tougher knife but you can really feel the thickness of the blaid when cutting. compaired with the Op'

On the other hand the Op' is really growing on me know it has loosened up. The design that I thought was just based on cheepness, is better than I first thought. IT makes the knife very light and the thinness of the blade is very addictive. It carves wood so much better than the sodbuster. But the sod is more of an overall tool, you can put a bit of weight behind it.

I would recomend them both.
 
SAKs and Opinels have become staples in my collection for exactly what you mentioned, they excel at whittling.
 
Hi Vivi I am not familiar with SAKs keep on hearing the name though, by the way has anyone got any tips of what to treat the hadles of the sodbuster I think it is mahogany and it does not seem varnished or anything, the wood looks a little porus, would like to make it a little more water proof.
 
berzerker said:
Hi greebozz:

SAK is shorthand for any Swiss Army Knife.

Best regards.
Click to expand...

Doh, slaps head, I thought it was the term for an exotic tactical knife:o

I love SAK's they fill a gap no other knife fill, had a caping trip and it did everything openeed tins spread butter chopped veg.
 
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