Opinel to make the Néo6 with "opiflex"

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ShaiHulud

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By complete accident i ran into an article dating 03-07-2025 telling og Opinel's new knife design and locking mechanism. The following is borrowed from the article

*This compact EDC knife features the innovative Opiflex mechanism, a slipjoint-like system that keeps the blade securely in place without locking. Designed for everyday use, the Opinel Néo6 combines a lightweight design with ease of use. The 7 cm stainless steel blade has a rounded tip, making it safer and more compliant with stricter knife laws in many countries. The biggest difference from previous Opinel models is the Opiflex mechanism, a smart, spring-loaded design that keeps the blade stable in both open and closed positions.*

I went ahead and checked out this "rounded tip" it's o-kay, it is not "my first opinel round" while its not a sharp tip, it ain't a butter knife either, enough from me, what are your thoughts?
 
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I’m a big Opinel fan because they found something that works and they’ve stuck with it. They’ve got a good thing going.

I’m not really interested in an Opinel that’s similar to my other slip joints, and I don’t really want to reprofile the blunted tip. Offering a version with a regular tip would have been the move, but I understand their desire to make a more law-friendly knife. It’s been famously said that the French can’t even carry an Opinel.

That said, innovation isn’t a bad idea and it’s a handsome looking knife. I would have preferred they offer a model in a more exciting steel before making this jump. Something like that would be a sure-fire purchase from me. This neo6 will be a hot “maybe”.
 
Interestingly enough, you can’t even find it on the Opinel USA site.

I’d be tempted to try to order one anyway, but I wonder what kind of BS I’d be signing up for trying to order from the European internet.
 
EngrSorenson said:
Interestingly enough, you can’t even find it on the Opinel USA site.

I’d be tempted to try to order one anyway, but I wonder what kind of BS I’d be signing up for trying to order from the European internet.
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I've done that a couple of times, ordering straight from Au Sabot, I think it was. The site or the credit card converts the currencies, and you don't get charged VAT.
What tariffs are in force at what level of purchasing, I don't know.
 
I had been seeing Opinels in camping/backpacking/outdoor stores & magazines for over 50 years, but pretty much ignored them. Then a few years ago I picked one up, and the allure of the Opinel hit me. They have two moving parts: a blade & a lock ring. They're lightweight, inexpensive, easily replaced, and they cut stuff really well. That's why I like them.

Any extras Opinel wants to add, like fancy blades, exotic woods, or new mechanisms, I don't need. But, that's just me.
 
screened porch said:
I've done that a couple of times, ordering straight from Au Sabot, I think it was. The site or the credit card converts the currencies, and you don't get charged VAT.
What tariffs are in force at what level of purchasing, I don't know.
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The shipping is more than the cost of the walnut version. I think that’s a pass.
 
It's kind of funny. I've bought all 4 of my kids Opinels when they were younger and lived at home, but myself have never owned one. I liked them for the kids because there were cheap, locked and they didn't have a spring that would let the blade slam on their fingers. I may one day take another look at them.
 
I may be a little biased due to my own Opinel “backstory”, but for me, the Opinel #8 in carbon steel is THE ideal (and iconic) Opinel. It is the perfect size, covering the widest range of big and small tasks. Its cutting ability and handle comfort are unmatched.

Any innovations beyond the original locking ring are not improvements in my opinion. When you have achieved design perfection, why mess with it?
 
The tip isn't as bad as I expected. It's pretty similar to the tip from my older Opinel.

51821706910_0fd69bf96f_c.jpg
 
Alex.Y. said:
Well, if I got anything from this news,
it is this: if you want something from classic Opinel line, better get it sooner than later. Another day you might discover that, all of a sudden, everything they can offer is a blunt flex.
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I disagree. I believe this is an extrapolation similar to the extrapolations folks were making when Victorinox announced its bladeless multi tools line they were going to offer. They were wrong about that and it would be wrong to jump to conclusions here, too.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I’m a big Opinel fan because they found something that works and they’ve stuck with it. They’ve got a good thing going.

I’m not really interested in an Opinel that’s similar to my other slip joints, and I don’t really want to reprofile the blunted tip. Offering a version with a regular tip would have been the move, but I understand their desire to make a more law-friendly knife. It’s been famously said that the French can’t even carry an Opinel.

That said, innovation isn’t a bad idea and it’s a handsome looking knife. I would have preferred they offer a model in a more exciting steel before making this jump. Something like that would be a sure-fire purchase from me. This neo6 will be a hot “maybe”.
Click to expand...
I placed an order last night so I will be able to see what it's truly about. Initially I was immediately against it and quick to judge but I want to see first hand in person.
 
The virobloc locking ring is a high strength lock, in order for it to break or fail, the whole ring needs to bend or crack, and I think the knife blade would be damaged first before the ring, I'm both concerned and interested to see how opinel thinks a clever spring can compete with that, because it's definitely not going to lock the knife better than the ring, but it's not going to be a straight friction folders knife the no. 5 and down. As it waa already mentioned it's similar in a way to the line of bladeless multitools victorinox is making, it's a travel convenience and enables them to sell it in countries that restrict knife tips and locking systems
 
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Somebody, I don't remember who, posted a pic of theirs a couple of weeks ago. Sent me on an internet search. I think I found it on the French website. There were no details of how this innovative non-lock mechanism worked. I lost interest with the rounded point. I like pointy points.
 
Easy miss for me. Politely, I'm generally not a fan of tools that have been compromised due to being designed to comply with ridiculous draconian laws in places I don't intend on visiting.

A blunt tip just doesn't make sense to me.
 
I’m generally not a big fan of the vibrolock so I would be interested in trying the Neo6. Shipping from the Opinel site doesn’t make sense right now so I’m waiting if it hits knife stores.
 
EngrSorenson said:
I disagree. I believe this is an extrapolation similar to the extrapolations folks were making when Victorinox announced its bladeless multi tools line they were going to offer. They were wrong about that and it would be wrong to jump to conclusions here, too.
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I hope you are right.
 
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