How do you guys feel about the Opinel No. 5? I am especially looking for one that does not lock, but I am wondering if the 6 is as small as I should go. I think the No. 5 should be OK seeing as how I can get by quite well with just a Peanut or other small folder. Whenever I get some spare cash, (not likely to happen for a while), I would like to pick up another Opinel that isn't as intrusive as my No. 7. What are your opinions?
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Opinel No. 5 Opinions
- Thread starter BenHarris
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Every Opinel below the No. 7 is to small for my fat middle aged hand. I had a beautiful Brazilian rosewood No. 6 and it was just a little to small so I gave it to my wife.
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The numbers five to two arent made with a lock at all, but any of those with locks can be easily turned into friction folders by popping the lock off.
Here's a recent post I made in the lounge about the no5 that might interest you;
Hope it helps
Here's a recent post I made in the lounge about the no5 that might interest you;
I didn't want to start another thread but wanted to share a quick notion;
While we were away on our holibags I didn't take any of my favourite knives with me for fear of having them nabbed by either baggage handlers or light fingered peeps in general so all I took was an SAK that I have carried with me on travels for a number of years. It has a good selection of tools and works well. I believe its called a voyager but have never bothered to look it up as I rarely carry it.
The clock long since ceased to function but everything else is just grand. However, being on a very hot beach type holiday - I've not been on the like since I was a wain - I fount that carrying a big hefty three layered Victorinox didn't really work when one is wearing just boardies. It's uncomfortable and you wind up very lop-sided and risk flashing the poor beach goers a bum cheek so I went in search of something that can be found and bought easily all across Europe.
In this case - because I wanted a small one I went for a no5. They are superb.
It has been a while since I carried an opinel and I had forgotten how light and simple they are. They are sharp from the word go and they stay sharp for a long time too. The blade was roughly the same size as my vic too. Winner.
cheers,
Paul
Hope it helps
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Random thoughts...
The lock is not an issue, as you can pop the virobloc off any model, as others suggested. I rarely use it (always when I sharpen the knife), yet I think the unlocking Opinel's are uglier
Size is very personal. If you get by with a Peanut, you might be fine with a #4 as well. Anyway, I find there's a big difference in hand between a #8, a #7 and a #6, so a #6 might be good for you even if your #7 is too big.
As for being intrusive, some people flatten the sides of the handle for that purpose. I like them round
Fausto
The lock is not an issue, as you can pop the virobloc off any model, as others suggested. I rarely use it (always when I sharpen the knife), yet I think the unlocking Opinel's are uglier
Size is very personal. If you get by with a Peanut, you might be fine with a #4 as well. Anyway, I find there's a big difference in hand between a #8, a #7 and a #6, so a #6 might be good for you even if your #7 is too big.
As for being intrusive, some people flatten the sides of the handle for that purpose. I like them round
Fausto
Henry Beige
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There's a hipster girl wo hangs out at my son's bar who wears a no. 3 on a cord around her neck. How cool do you want to be?
Henry Beige
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A couple of No. 6s came in the mail the other day. My first reaction was, these are about as small as I'd care to go. But on reflection, I think I may have to try some smaller sizes. A No. 6 seems pretty small, but it dwarfs some of the slip joints I carry.
Carboniferous
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I personally prefer the No. 6, the handle fits my hands very well and the 3" blade is just about perfect, but the no. 5 should still have plenty of blade if you're used to something in that size range. I also like the option to use the lock on my number six, it's easy enough to pop off if I don't want it on.
Will Power
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Don't know about the No.5 but I'm very enthusiastic about the No.6.
As for the No.6 being deemed too small, this puzzles me. It's actually bigger than the GEC 15 and has a much longer cutting edge.:thumbup: I have a No.6 in Bubinga hardwood and have found it a truly excellent smaller knife, they are quite a bit smaller than the No.7 or 8 but like I state, more than credible and comfortable in the hand. They make first-rate smaller knife about the garden, and not having any spring or liners, dirt can't cause fouling or wreak havoc with smooth walk&talk like on most slipjoints. It takes good cuttings, handles light pruning and opens sacks like a dream. Why anybody would want to remove the locking collar is beyond me, it's a genius piece of simplicity and safety.
As for the No.6 being deemed too small, this puzzles me. It's actually bigger than the GEC 15 and has a much longer cutting edge.:thumbup: I have a No.6 in Bubinga hardwood and have found it a truly excellent smaller knife, they are quite a bit smaller than the No.7 or 8 but like I state, more than credible and comfortable in the hand. They make first-rate smaller knife about the garden, and not having any spring or liners, dirt can't cause fouling or wreak havoc with smooth walk&talk like on most slipjoints. It takes good cuttings, handles light pruning and opens sacks like a dream. Why anybody would want to remove the locking collar is beyond me, it's a genius piece of simplicity and safety.
Jolipapa
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+1 :thumbup:Don't know about the No.5 but I'm very enthusiastic about the No.6.
As for the No.6 being deemed too small, this puzzles me. It's actually bigger than the GEC 15 and has a much longer cutting edge.:thumbup: I have a No.6 in Bubinga hardwood and have found it a truly excellent smaller knife, they are quite a bit smaller than the No.7 or 8 but like I state, more than credible and comfortable in the hand. They make first-rate smaller knife about the garden, and not having any spring or liners, dirt can't cause fouling or wreak havoc with smooth walk&talk like on most slipjoints. It takes good cuttings, handles light pruning and opens sacks like a dream. Why anybody would want to remove the locking collar is beyond me, it's a genius piece of simplicity and safety.
I use a basic n°5 (no safety ring) that long ago was gifted to my GrandPa by a... bistro... It cuts like the dickens (to quote someone here
) and I use it for all the small garden chores. The very precise blade don't harm plants and flowers. As the handle is less than 3" it fits in the pocket well, beside a more seriously sized knife for bigger tasks. I did lose it a lot of times and it did whitstand the rude Alpine climate without problem and never needed any oil, even after a winter spent under the snow.Here a blade comparison (from up n°12 - well battered -, n°8, n°5)
Henry Beige
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My No. 6s arrived with uncomfortably stiff locking collars. Until now, I have never felt the temptation to disassemble one of my Opinels, but I have never seen such stiff collars, and one was meant for my 6-year-old grandson. Not wanting the little guy to have to wrestle with his knife, I popped the collar off and opened it up just a tad with some snap-ring pliers. My first attempt left the collar too loose; it took a couple of tries to get it to operate smoothly and easily without too much wobble.
As long as I was messing about with my Opinels, I took the opportunity to round off the pommel of my No. 8 into a sort of bird-head configuration. Although I am not quite done with it, I was really pleased with the result. The knife fits much more comfortably in my palm and rides much better in my pocket, no more noticeable than a No. 7. Based on that, I would guess that a No. 6 similarly modified would pocket about as easily as a No. 5. A guy could have the blade of a No. 6 that carried like a No.5, and still have the lock ring, or not, as he chose.
As long as I was messing about with my Opinels, I took the opportunity to round off the pommel of my No. 8 into a sort of bird-head configuration. Although I am not quite done with it, I was really pleased with the result. The knife fits much more comfortably in my palm and rides much better in my pocket, no more noticeable than a No. 7. Based on that, I would guess that a No. 6 similarly modified would pocket about as easily as a No. 5. A guy could have the blade of a No. 6 that carried like a No.5, and still have the lock ring, or not, as he chose.
Carboniferous
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Why anybody would want to remove the locking collar is beyond me, it's a genius piece of simplicity and safety.
I often use my Opinel for cutting food, which doesn't require a locking blade but does require cleaning the knife. It's hard to get the gunk that gets under the collar so, instead of having to take the lock off every time I wash the knife, I just leave it off until I plan on carrying it outside the house.
The number 5 Opinel should be able to do most anything you would do with a similar size skip joint. Heck, i's bigger than a Vic classic, and judging by the sales numbers of classic's, at least a few million folks a year get by with one as their edc pocket knife. It's all a matter of perspective. I guess being a fan of the mighty mite legume, I have experienced how well a small sharp knife will get you through the day. Even the dreaded plastic blister package that defies tooth and nail, succumbs to an inch of sharp steel.
I had a number 4 Opinel for a while, and it opened boxes, cut twine, threads, sliced pepperoni and hard salami's, cut fresh baguette's, and any other job it needed to do. The lack of a lock didn't matter at all. I had it well treated so it was pretty water resistant. It now resides in the purse of a family member who admired it, and is well loved. I may have to get another one.
Opinels are interesting knives, and it's like having a piece of history in your pocket. For most things we use a pocket knife for, the smaller number 4 and 5's will do well.
Jolipapa, LOVE those old boys!!!! Especially that little well used number 5! I can only imagine the stories it could tell.
I had a number 4 Opinel for a while, and it opened boxes, cut twine, threads, sliced pepperoni and hard salami's, cut fresh baguette's, and any other job it needed to do. The lack of a lock didn't matter at all. I had it well treated so it was pretty water resistant. It now resides in the purse of a family member who admired it, and is well loved. I may have to get another one.
Opinels are interesting knives, and it's like having a piece of history in your pocket. For most things we use a pocket knife for, the smaller number 4 and 5's will do well.
Jolipapa, LOVE those old boys!!!! Especially that little well used number 5! I can only imagine the stories it could tell.
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Jolipapa
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...
Jolipapa, LOVE those old boys!!!! Especially that little well used number 5! I can only imagine the stories it could tell.
+1 :thumbup: I wonder how many Ricards Pépé (he used to work at night in les Halles and was home at 11'am, then a stop at his favorite bar before lunch - I enjoyed that stroll with him every thursday, would not have missed one day!) had to swallow to be granted this knife!
His own for work (with meat) was a much larger 12 I do keep.