-
The BladeForums.com 2024 Traditional Knife is ready to order! See this thread for details: https://www.bladeforums.com/threads/bladeforums-2024-traditional-knife.2003187/
Price is $300 ea (shipped within CONUS). If you live outside the US, I will contact you after your order for extra shipping charges.
Order here: https://www.bladeforums.com/help/2024-traditional/ - Order as many as you like, we have plenty.
Opinel Which one to buy??
- Thread starter DavidZ
- Start date
- Joined
- Nov 13, 2013
- Messages
- 2,569
- Joined
- Jan 5, 2011
- Messages
- 6,194
Another vote for the No.7--try one in carbon and one in stainless and go from there... :thumbup:
-Brett
-Brett
#8 is sort of the 'standard'. #9 is more of a handful, too bulky for my pockets. #6 and #7 are well suited to pocket carry.
The Garden Knife is a good all-around tool. I really like the blade shape.
I definitely prefer the carbon Opinel over their stainless.
You can also buy a gift box with ten Opinel knives, one of each common size, for about a hundred bucks. If you're having trouble deciding.
The Garden Knife is a good all-around tool. I really like the blade shape.
I definitely prefer the carbon Opinel over their stainless.
You can also buy a gift box with ten Opinel knives, one of each common size, for about a hundred bucks. If you're having trouble deciding.
- Joined
- Oct 1, 2002
- Messages
- 1,821
I like the no6. I have the olivewood. Somehow it always feels warm, and it's a good looking wood.
Esav Benyamin
MidniteSuperMod
- Joined
- Apr 6, 2000
- Messages
- 90,915
I have a stainless #6 in walnut. It's really a nice personal utility or a gentleman's knife. I always like olivewood, too.
- Joined
- Nov 29, 2010
- Messages
- 163
To me, the No7 is the "sweet spot" in terms of size for everyday carry. I'd strongly recommend this size in stainless steel (easier to maintain, less rust to worry about, in whatever handle material strikes your fancy.
maybe it's just me, but between a stainless and old rusty (sorry, trusty!)
me thinks that the carbon steel version keeps a better edge.
many considerations could determine carry size.
just bare in mind that, blade length is also handle length.
in which case it's always far better to get a first hand feel well before settling for any choice.
me thinks that the carbon steel version keeps a better edge.
many considerations could determine carry size.
just bare in mind that, blade length is also handle length.
in which case it's always far better to get a first hand feel well before settling for any choice.
Clanton
Cookie Monster
- Joined
- Aug 12, 2013
- Messages
- 592
This is my favorite so far.
View attachment 395427
View attachment 395427
- Joined
- Mar 6, 2000
- Messages
- 973
I'd toss out a #6 at you, INOX. It's the smallest one with benefit of the locking collar. Remember, it keeps it safer in your POCKET, as well as in-use.
IF it's too small for your tastes, it's a perfect gift-knife that didn't cost you much. Plus, you won't have to explain 'patina', nor RUST, to any NKP-recipient, LOL.
Carbon #9 is in my kitchen butcher block now, and carbon #8, inox #5 in my desk drawer at work.
IF it's too small for your tastes, it's a perfect gift-knife that didn't cost you much. Plus, you won't have to explain 'patina', nor RUST, to any NKP-recipient, LOL.
Carbon #9 is in my kitchen butcher block now, and carbon #8, inox #5 in my desk drawer at work.
- Joined
- Apr 14, 2013
- Messages
- 824
Just buy the #13. It's all the knife you'll ever need.
This really depends on what you want from a knife.
Let's start with the steel. The carbon is nice. Very close to 1085 and hardened around 56Rc. It's tough, will dent when you hit a staple in the cardboard you're cutting but won't chip. It's made to be touched up regularly and easily. Responds to about any sharpening but really pops if you stick to convexing the blade.
The Inox is harder and run up in the 58-59Rc range. It holds an edge noticeably longer and really shines when sharpened to 2000 grit. If it's less tough than the Carbone, I've not encountered it yet but it wouldn't shock me either. The Inox is better with food as it imparts no taste to fruit and of course, can be put away wet. I'm a recovering carbon snob but would happily continue to Inox. It feels like harder Carbon (e.g. Schrade USA's 1095). Very comparable, in fact. I like it better than Buck's 420HC, fwiw, and really like Buck's 420HC as an everyday steel.
In terms of size, the #8 is the most popular size. Think of it as a folding paring knife. I wear XL gloves and find it to be a 3.5 finger hold, very similar to the Buck 112 in the hand size wise.
Buck 112 & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr
For my XL hands, this a bit too small but doable. If you have L gloves, it may be the size for you. Pocket carry suitability will depend on what you wear. I wear baggy carpenter jeans and carry them lock ring down in my RFP and don't notice the #8 or #9 at all.
For EDC use, I prefer the larger #9. The blade is wider spine to edge and the handle gives me a full 4 finger hold. Here is a set of slightly modified Opinels.
Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
For me, that little bit of extra room gives me a much better grip with the #9.
The #10 is just a bit too much for pocket carry. I notice it. I like it, in hand, and when doing yard work, I'll reach for it. I prefer it in the kitchen and will carry it as a light but tough back up knife in my pack. But it's also a bit too big socially in my suburban life. The blade is like a Buck 110. People do notice it.
My son has a #6. For me, it's a 3 finger knife. If you want a small pocket knife it's worth looking at. The #7 is like a mid sized pocket knife. Sort of a "tweener" size.
Let's start with the steel. The carbon is nice. Very close to 1085 and hardened around 56Rc. It's tough, will dent when you hit a staple in the cardboard you're cutting but won't chip. It's made to be touched up regularly and easily. Responds to about any sharpening but really pops if you stick to convexing the blade.
The Inox is harder and run up in the 58-59Rc range. It holds an edge noticeably longer and really shines when sharpened to 2000 grit. If it's less tough than the Carbone, I've not encountered it yet but it wouldn't shock me either. The Inox is better with food as it imparts no taste to fruit and of course, can be put away wet. I'm a recovering carbon snob but would happily continue to Inox. It feels like harder Carbon (e.g. Schrade USA's 1095). Very comparable, in fact. I like it better than Buck's 420HC, fwiw, and really like Buck's 420HC as an everyday steel.
In terms of size, the #8 is the most popular size. Think of it as a folding paring knife. I wear XL gloves and find it to be a 3.5 finger hold, very similar to the Buck 112 in the hand size wise.
Buck 112 & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr
For my XL hands, this a bit too small but doable. If you have L gloves, it may be the size for you. Pocket carry suitability will depend on what you wear. I wear baggy carpenter jeans and carry them lock ring down in my RFP and don't notice the #8 or #9 at all.
For EDC use, I prefer the larger #9. The blade is wider spine to edge and the handle gives me a full 4 finger hold. Here is a set of slightly modified Opinels.
Opinel by Pinnah, on Flickr
For me, that little bit of extra room gives me a much better grip with the #9.
The #10 is just a bit too much for pocket carry. I notice it. I like it, in hand, and when doing yard work, I'll reach for it. I prefer it in the kitchen and will carry it as a light but tough back up knife in my pack. But it's also a bit too big socially in my suburban life. The blade is like a Buck 110. People do notice it.
My son has a #6. For me, it's a 3 finger knife. If you want a small pocket knife it's worth looking at. The #7 is like a mid sized pocket knife. Sort of a "tweener" size.