Opinel no 8 size comparison

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FarmKid

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Jun 7, 2012
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I have a no.7 but I wish it was a lil bigger. So how much bigger is the no. 8? Recently started carrying my no. 7 again and why I stopped carrying it just baffles me. I'm a case xx knife nut! I will not carry anything else. I'm also a high value knife enthusiast. I will not carry a knife that cost over 50$. I have expensive knives but will not carry them. It's just one of my peaves. I usually carry a yellow cv trapper. Any who, this opinel just blows my mind. It's durable; this exact no.7 went thru a round baler and came out in harmed! I just want a lil bigger so any info will help. Sorry for the off subject rambling but I'm finally seeing why opinels get all the rave on hear!
 
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If I remember correctly, there is a 5mm difference between the No. 7 and No. 8 (8 cm vs 8.5 cm).

I like a No. 6 for EDC, but a No. 8 when camping. I'm going to give some more away this Christmas at our annual Scout Troop Christmas party, probably No. 8's in stainless again. I would rather carbon, but the guys are used to stainless and for 11-17 year olds, lower maintenance is better. ;)
 
FarmKid said:
I have a no.7 but I wish it was a lil bigger. So how much bigger is the no. 8? Recently started carrying my no. 7 again and why I stopped carrying it just baffles me. I'm a case xx knife nut! I will not carry anything else. I'm also a high value knife enthusiast. I will not carry a knife that cost over 50$. I have expensive knives but will not carry them. It's just one of my peaves. I usually carry a yellow cv trapper. Any who, this opinel just blows my mind. It's durable; this exact no.7 went thru a round baler and came out in harmed! I just want a lil bigger so any info will help. Sorry for the off subject rambling but I'm finally seeing why opinels get all the rave on hear!
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The #8 is not much bigger. My favorite is the #10. Noticeably bigger and more force for cutting.
 
Been carrying the #9 quite a bit as my go to really slicer kinda knife, carrys well in the pocket, I did drill out a lanyard hole to help getting it out of the pocket.
G2
 
I agree with Bigfattyt! :thumbup:

In my hands the No. 8 is the absolute smallest I can easily use... I have slim No. 9 that is great but in a regular handle, I think a No. 10 would be just about perfect for heavier chores. I have a No. 12 and it's cool but too big for most stuff except out in the woods.
 
Top down is the #13 and man it's a beast and very sharp too
12 then a 10, 9, 8 and 6, sorry don't have a #7 to compare directly but you can see how the #8 is next to the rest.

On the left side is
#8 Garden
#8 Slim both Ebony and Olive wood
#6 carbone

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G2
 
SAK Guy said:
I agree with Bigfattyt! :thumbup:

In my hands the No. 8 is the absolute smallest I can easily use... I have slim No. 9 that is great but in a regular handle, I think a No. 10 would be just about perfect for heavier chores. I have a No. 12 and it's cool but too big for most stuff except out in the woods.
Click to expand...

I tend to agree with the #8 being about as small as you can go and get a full handhold. I did find that if I modified the #6 handle a bit, that it can be quite secure. But I still like the #8 better.
 
I don't want to say that smaller than the 8 is not a very useful tool.

I still carry my slim handled #7 Cholghan? It is a great little cutter. But for farm work, or outdoor work, I like the bigger handle. I can't get as much leverage with the smaller. It is more convenient in the pocket, but I love big folders, and have big pockets.

One thing I will say, after using both the carbon and the stainless, Opinel stainless is great. It gets sticky sharp and holds a shaving edge noticeably longer than the Carbon. I have a modded "easy open" #8 that is in INOX, and I am hooked. My next few are going to be INOX in 10 and possibly a 12. The Ebony #8 is really bugging me too.
 
I wear XL gloves and, for me, the #9 is the Goldilocks size.

The #8 carries insanely well but I just can't quite get a full hand on it. Sort of like a Buck 112 in that regard. Yeh, I can get it to work but as soon as I hold a #9, I sigh internally. Just right.

The #10 is a beast. I have one. Carry it as a back up knife in my pack often. IMO, there's just no reason to carry that much unless tackling a job like in the kitchen that really requires a longer blade. The #9 is plenty stout and has plenty of belly. I just don't get anything more from 10 than the 9 already gives me. Oh... battoning wood is easier with the 10. For me, the 10 is more like a folding fixed blade for places where carrying a 4" blade fixed blade just shouldn't be done. The #9 is more like a robust pocket folder.
 
#9 rides in my briefcase as a spare. #7 or even #6 are more comfortable in my pocket. #8 is the ultimate compromise if you can't afford to buy 2 Opinels. Probably why #8 is the 'standard'. ;)
 
No. 10 is my favorite, just the perfect size for my hands. It's about the same length as a Buck 110.
Sorry this isn't what you asked for, but I no longer have a No. 8 to measure.
 
With a #8 closed, my fist will conceal all of the wood, with but the collar sticking out. Thus, with it open, there is room for a 5th finger, LOL. I can enclose the whole of my #5 within my fist, and get a solid 3-finger hold on it when open. I put the butt-end against my curled pinkie, and my thumb down onto the collar. :)
 
A no.7 is a comfortable grip for me but I like large knives. 4 inch to 4 1/4 is my sweet spot. I finally
Found where the no.8 is 4 3/8 closed. Ill like it better than the no.7.
 
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