Opinel to make the Néo6 with "opiflex"

[EngrSorenson]

Theoretically. I regrinded opinel tip once and the lock slam opened and the blade shut with a speed of light on my fingers.

I don’t really take that as a real fault since it’s such a light use knife but it’s definitely not without fault.

i think we just found the Opinel version of the spine whack test.

 

[Mitchell Knives]

Wait until you find out about butter knives.

Those will be banned soon if they haven’t already.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Theoretically. I regrinded opinel tip once and the lock slam opened and the blade shut with a speed of light on my fingers.

I don’t really take that as a real fault since it’s such a light use knife but it’s definitely not without fault.

That sucks I'm sorry, im probably more abusive with the 06 than I should be but I keep retwisting the lock if it moved any and it does on occasion

 

[EngrSorenson]

hardcore opinel fans like no’s 2-5 anyway.

 

[knarfeng]

I've moved 3 posts offline. Let's please just focus on the knife at hand.

 

[ShaiHulud]

I've moved 3 posts offline. Let's please just focus on the knife at hand.

Thanks for not closing it yet!

 

[Hickory n steel]

I am just hoping they will expand on this " opiflex " mechanism.
Since the knife isn't using the lock ring it doesn't need to be thick and round, so they should be able to make a thinner flatter model.
I understand that this model retains the classic Opinel form for obvious reasons, but they can branch out a bit now if they want to.

 

[A.L.]

i think we just found the Opinel version of the spine whack test.

Fair enough.
I’ve experienced some really good and bad locks on opinels.
My dislike is overall about the hassle really, not the unrealistic expectations.

 

[EngrSorenson]

Fair enough.
I’ve experienced some really good and bad locks on opinels.
My dislike is overall about the hassle really, not the unrealistic expectations.

I will say it’s a locking mechanism which I can operate one handed: it has that going for it.

 

[mnblade]

Since the knife isn't using the lock ring it doesn't need to be thick and round, so they should be able to make a thinner flatter model.

I had the same thought. While I really like my two Opinels (a stainless no. 6, and a carbon no. 8), they're rather thick in the pocket for a knife that only packs one blade. If I'm gonna tote a single-bladed slipjoint, I'm looking for something thinner like, say, my yella single-blade Case Sowbelly.

-- Mark

 

[EngrSorenson]

I had the same thought. While I really like my two Opinels (a stainless no. 6, and a carbon no. 8), they're rather thick in the pocket for a knife that only packs one blade. If I'm gonna tote a single-bladed slipjoint, I'm looking for something thinner like, say, my yella single-blade Case Sowbelly.

-- Mark

But I wonder how much more that sowbelly weighs!

 

[r8shell]

I had the same thought. While I really like my two Opinels (a stainless no. 6, and a carbon no. 8), they're rather thick in the pocket for a knife that only packs one blade. If I'm gonna tote a single-bladed slipjoint, I'm looking for something thinner like, say, my yella single-blade Case Sowbelly.

-- Mark

Something like this?

 

[ShaiHulud]

I had the same thought. While I really like my two Opinels (a stainless no. 6, and a carbon no. 8), they're rather thick in the pocket for a knife that only packs one blade. If I'm gonna tote a single-bladed slipjoint, I'm looking for something thinner like, say, my yella single-blade Case Sowbelly.

-- Mark

I would agree that their handles can feel very short dowel-like in the pocket, when compared to other knives, especially with thinner pockets, like slacks or dockers ---they could slim and shape them down further, but then they'd have to change the measurements of everything else

 

[Henry Beige]

Sorry, my Slovak is a little rusty.

 

[Henry Beige]

I would agree that their handles can feel very short dowel-like in the pocket, when compared to other knives, especially with thinner pockets, like slacks or dockers ---they could slim and shape them down further, but then they'd have to change the measurements of everything else

For years, I owned Opinels, but rarely carried them because of the lump they make in the pocket. Once somebody here pointed out how easy they are to modify, I started putting them in my pocket. As they come from the factory, even a 6 is too lumpy for my taste. With a thinned handle, even a 10 can be carried comfortably, but a 6 works best.

With regard to the new knife, Opinel has for a log time been prone to overthink their designS, answering questions that nobody was asking. The hold-closed notch, introduced in 1990, I think, probably in response to some ill- considered liability concerns, is such an example. This notch at the bottom of the ring made it possible to lever the ring off the knife by opening the blade against it.

Their response to this was the most recent iteration, a nub on the virobloc which engages a groove in the ferrule to limit the rotation of the ring but presumably makes it impossible, or at least more difficult to lever the ring off the ferrule. An unfortunate side effect is to limit the rotation of the ring to one direction only, which happens to be not the direction I prefer to use.

This does not really have anything to do with the new design, except that it appears to follow the same kind of overthinking that resulted in so many completely unnecessary modifications to the virobloc.

 

[ShaiHulud]

For years, I owned Opinels, but rarely carried them because of the lump they make in the pocket. Once somebody here pointed out how easy they are to modify, I started putting them in my pocket. As they come from the factory, even a 6 is too lumpy for my taste. With a thinned handle, even a 10 can be carried comfortably, but a 6 works best.

With regard to the new knife, Opinel has for a log time been prone to overthink their designS, answering questions that nobody was asking. The hold-closed notch, introduced in 1990, I think, probably in response to some ill- considered liability concerns, is such an example. This notch at the bottom of the ring made it possible to lever the ring off the knife by opening the blade against it.

Their response to this was the most recent iteration, a nub on the virobloc which engages a groove in the ferrule to limit the rotation of the ring but presumably makes it impossible, or at least more difficult to lever the ring off the ferrule. An unfortunate side effect is to limit the rotation of the ring to one direction only, which happens to be not the direction I prefer to use.

This does not really have anything to do with the new design, except that it appears to follow the same kind of overthinking that resulted in so many completely unnecessary modifications to the virobloc.

Imagine if anyone in the world felt the same about the "loggy" feel of the knife. They've been making the 08 since 1890, not too sure what the knife looked like then but I want to see it wasn't as round as it is today. Back to my first thought, if everyone felt like that, opinel would have to change it quick and fast or close the front doors, but I guess not enough people feel hindered with the round stick of a handle. I read up on the ring changes and they all seem ghastly unnecessary, just solutions to problems no one really had, at least no one that went public about it. The groove that locks the knife closed takes away a lot of space allowance for keeping the knife open, and we're left with a tiny ramp. It should be the other way around, I've thrown 05's in my pocket, albeit nervous at first and came out uncut, but it's a small nuisance, however much the ring travels during use i merely just relock it with a twist of a finger, got it down to doing it without thinking now. The blunt tip is "nanny state" at its finest. I use tips a lot, so the tipless knife is gonna be a bazaar experience. That being said i have one of these "safe" opi's arriving today 'round evening tide

 

[EngrSorenson]

With regard to the new knife, Opinel has for a log time been prone to overthink their designS, answering questions that nobody was asking. The hold-closed notch, introduced in 1990, I think, probably in response to some ill- considered liability concerns, is such an example. This notch at the bottom of the ring made it possible to lever the ring off the knife by opening the blade against it.

Their response to this was the most recent iteration, a nub on the virobloc which engages a groove in the ferrule to limit the rotation of the ring but presumably makes it impossible, or at least more difficult to lever the ring off the ferrule. An unfortunate side effect is to limit the rotation of the ring to one direction only, which happens to be not the direction I prefer to use.

I disagree. I think Opinel improved their product to make it meet their intent. They clearly aren’t interested in individuals levering the knife apart. Brilliantly simple, and there’s less worry about some schmuck cutting themselves doing something with a knife that wasn’t intended. With the right tool, it’s easy enough to get the lock off, but you’ll notice Opinel doesn’t give instructions to do that. Can you imagine the liability they’d have if they encouraged users to defeat a safety mechanism?

This latest knife is addressing the fact that in some places opinels numbered 6-13 aren’t legal carry knives because they have the lock. Again, Opinel isn’t catering to the people that can defeat the lock- they’re providing a solution that doesn’t require modification.

 

[ShaiHulud]

Naturally I'd like to believe whats coming next is a carbon steel variant of this knife, but I have also noticed that they went with inox first because they've been expanding their stainless steel lines moreso than their carbon steel due to popular demand.

 

[The Zieg]

Naturally I'd like to believe whats coming next is a carbon steel variant of this knife, but I have also noticed that they went with inox first because they've been expanding their stainless steel lines moreso than their carbon steel due to popular demand.

I agree. And I prefer the Carbone steel, too.

 

[oldmanwilly]

I disagree. I think Opinel improved their product to make it meet their intent. They clearly aren’t interested in individuals levering the knife apart. Brilliantly simple, and there’s less worry about some schmuck cutting themselves doing something with a knife that wasn’t intended. With the right tool, it’s easy enough to get the lock off, but you’ll notice Opinel doesn’t give instructions to do that. Can you imagine the liability they’d have if they encouraged users to defeat a safety mechanism?

This latest knife is addressing the fact that in some places opinels numbered 6-13 aren’t legal carry knives because they have the lock. Again, Opinel isn’t catering to the people that can defeat the lock- they’re providing a solution that doesn’t require modification.

Good point, but I can't stand the little nub on the new locking ring. For starters, the ring now only rotates clockwise, which puts the sharp corners of the ring in just the right spot to create hotspots that wear on my hands in use. In addition, each Opinel I've gotten with the new lock has a locking ring that is too loose and too easy to disengage for my taste. So, I modify all of my Opinels before putting them in my pocket:

Post in thread 'Traditonal Folder EDC Crisis - Opinel, etc.' https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/traditonal-folder-edc-crisis-opinel-etc.1781394/post-20404557

I am excited to try out the Neo 6 once they reach dealers stateside. I think innovation is a good thing and I happen to like slipjoint knives, so it seems like a good fit. I think it's regrettable that such a well established cutlery firm has to overhaul its flagship model in order to cater to overzealous legislators bent on control. But, I can't fault a firm for trying to stay ahead of the curve and offer viable options for its customers. Hopefully Opinel offers a slimmer design, as mentioned above, since they no longer strictly need the virolock.