Opinel vs. Laguiole

kamagong

kamagong

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How do Opinels and Laguioles compare in terms of cutting efficiency? I know it's not exactly fair to compare the two knives since Opinel is a brand and Laguiole is a style of knife. I wonder if they compare favorably. I already have a Laguiole, but all the rave reviews of Opinels have piqued my curiousity.
 
Opinel has it over the Laguioles hands down.

Not because of quality, or materials, but because of blade profile. If you take an Opinel and lay a flat edge ruler on the blade from back to cutting edge you will see it is a convex blade. This shaping of the Opinel blade, and the geometry of the cutting edge produced by it is where the cutting comes from.

Of course it does use a good grade of carbon steel, and the design is simple and the lock is pretty fail safe. It's lightweight. And at $8.95 you can't beat it with a stick.

I've been a fan of these things since the early '80's.:thumbup:
 
I agree with Jackknife - Opinels are the best combo of price and value (plus, they lock - I've seem various Euro folders with lockbacks, but I *think* the Laguiole style is always technically a slipjoint).

Still, if you can get a good deal (<$30), all the Laguiole's I've seen are excellent gentlemen's folders.

Or, if you want the Opinel style in a nicer wood and with a fancier lock, try the Marjacq knives from Arno Industries of France, available from Knifecenter and perhaps other stateside vendors:

http://www.knifecenter.com/knifecenter/arno/
 
I think the opinel, they cost so little and its easy to get a shaving sharp edge with one.
 
A good Laguiole does not have to cost an outrageous amount of money. With a 12C27 blade, narrow and flat-ground, it can cut as well as an Opinel.

Just like owning a Buck 110 doesn't mean you can't buy a Sebenza. :)
 
Got several makes of Laguiole and a ton of Opinels, Opinels are the better cutters but the Laguioles are the best looking knives in the world IMHO.
 
I'm mainly curious about cutting performance. I EDC a Laguiole del Artisan and it's a great knife. With a flat ground, mirror polished 12c27 blade it's an awesome cutter. If the Opinel is an even better cutter I'm seriously impressed.

The best thing is that this Laguiole is a budget model. It only cost me $45.
 
Laguiole is a style of knife, like stockman or whittler. I would love a Spyderco Laguiole, but it's discontinued and all the ones I've seen had a serrated edge. I know serrated edges have their place, but one place they do not belong is on an elegant knife like the Laguiole.
 
Bayoublaster said:
Where do you recommend looking for a good, moderately priced Laguiole?
Click to expand...

I've bought several items from World Knives and I've always been pleased with their quality and service. The shipping is a tad slow, but otherwise no complaints.

http://www.worldknives.com/


They also sell on eBay under the same name if you want to read their feedback.
 
Esav Benyamin said:
A good Laguiole does not have to cost an outrageous amount of money. With a 12C27 blade, narrow and flat-ground, it can cut as well as an Opinel...
Click to expand...


I agree with Esav, I have bothe but I tend to carry the Laguiole and keep the Opinel in the tool box.
 
Guys, it's not a competition, really. Laguiole is a style of knife, and they come from France, originally from the knife-making village of Laguiole, but similar knives are made in Spain (and China!). They can be pretty expensive, especially from name designers and with expensive materials.

But the basic models, even those using 440A rather than 12C27, and wood or plastic handle slabs rather than horn or stag, can be beautiful and highly functional working knives, at low-end prices.

Opinels and the similar Marjacq and Nontron knives are an older, simpler style, with seriously efficient blades. Not bad knives to start kids off with, either. Light-weight, sharp, a working lock, without the tactical overtones. A good matchup with a small Swiss Army Knife, and maybe a Mora.

Here's those websites for looking at what's available:

Cutlery To Go - http://www.cutlerytogo.com/
KnifeCenter - http://www.knifecenter.com/
Artemis Cutlery - http://www.artemis-cutlery.com/
Couteaux-Courty - http://couteaux-courty.com/indexenglish.html

After you find a Laguiole manufacturer you like at Cutlery To Go, search for other outlets who may have better price and selection, or even links to the manufacturers, some of whom will customize their models with your choice of materials.

Here are some Laguiole websites:

Fontenille-Pataud - http://www.fontenille-pataud.com/
Laguiole Elite - http://www.laguiole-elite.com/
Laguiole Prestige - http://www.laguiole-prestige.com/en/index.asp
 
like it has been said, Laguiole (to be pronouced "LAWIOL") is a style of knife and not a brand (at the contrary of Opinel)
So you have good and bad Laguiole...
Personnaly, i did find my carbon blade Opinel to be slightly better cutter than my carbon blade Laguiole.
But if cutting capacity is what you are looking for, you should go for Doukdouk, also a cheap french knife (but a brand in that case), even better than Opinel.
 
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