If ordering sight unseen from an online source, hopefully this video will help one decide on what size Opinel folding knife is the right size for their needs.
The number 8 is my all around favorite, though I also keep a number 6 in my car or carry bag. My wife likes the no. 6 when we're traveling in car and wants to cut up some fruit. My brother who recently returned from France told me many people keep the larger size Opinels in their kitchen, using them instead of standard kitchen knives.
You, sir, are very considerate to make a video to answer a common question and give us the benefit of your experience. I think I need the number 6 for my use. Thank you very much. I subscribed and thumbs up. :) "Have a knife day." lol
The #4, if it had a lock, would be a great knife. It weighs about the same as my house key and is the same length. I just ordered a 6, in stainless, as I want the lock.
I've been collecting knives for over 40 years. I have quite a few but never had one of these. I guess I should think about adding one to my collection.
***** I'll recommend a #8 Carbone for your first purchase. Maybe #9 if you have large hands, or just like large knifes. The Inox ones are IMO not worth getting before you have a decent carbone range. with the exeption of the more special ones.
The 7 fits my little bitch hands better than the 8. IMO, Opinels are the best EDC knife. I don't have time to spend hours trying to put a bur on stainless. It's flat, and easy to sharpen on a pocket stone or a belt. I've had a lot of good hard stainless knives, but I've also lost the stainless lottery quite a few times. An Opinel always does you right, as long as you keep it greasy or patina and loosen up that barrel lock.
They actually make two sizes larger. The 12, and the 13. They used to make an 11, and if you can find one used, grab it. Likewise, if you can find a number 1 at a rummage sale or flea market, grab it, and don't let go.
From number 8 the number is approximately the size of the knife, while from 2 to 7 the blade is approximately 1cm longer then the number. If you can remember that (wich isnt too hard) then you can tell the blade lenght in no time
these knives can get razor sharp in the carbon steel models my only complaint is that the locking method sometimes comes loose and doesn't hold the blade
I hate to contradict Renax, as he's a die-hard carbon steel kind of person, but I feel Inox is better suited for kitchen use - more hygienic, pretty much resistant to rust, and just as easy to sharpen, believe me. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise.
The video was made in early 2013 and the knives where purchased in 2011/12. The price sticker can be seen on their packages in the video. Yes, they are a little more now. Sorry, but I'm not up to date on who has the best Opinel prices at he present time.
+TheRoosterscrow i understand. Just wish the prices were the same lol. They run about 12-15 bucks a piece now. (Using RU-vid app on my phone doesn't make it easy to find the publication date of vids. )
+Patrick Cavanaugh - That was a sharpener I've had for 30 years called Crock Stick. They are still available, but if I had to replace it I think I'd look into the Spyderco Sharpmaker.
+TheRoosterscrow thanks for the reply I ended up finding it on Amazon but I haven't made up my mind yet I will look into the spyderco sharpmaker. great video by the way I placed an order for the opinel no 10 I'm hoping it's as big as I think it's going to be i was going to go with the 12 but opted for the 10 lol guess since they're cheap enough if I don't like it I'll just get another lmao
I don't know about "the best", but I use coconut oil as I slice food stuff with my knives. Coconut oil is often recommended for treating wood cutting boards as it doesn't go rancid like some of the other vegetable/cooking oils.
for the blade itself use any gun oil.. I like using TUF-GLIDE bc its non toxic and you can use it for food... but on my other knives ill also use Rem oil from remington.. get the spray version with the teflon coating.. works like turf-glide, you just spray and wipe it off.
+tremblettderek I use Choji oil, which is the same stuff they put on katanas, It's Food safe and protects your carbon blade, With something this cheap though, i wouldnt bother with oiling the blade really, it'll just look bad, but the edge will hold no problem.
In your back pocket, alongside your wallet? Really? No chance would I ever, for any reason, carry a knife that way. You couldn't pay me to do so. That is the worst way possible to carry such a knife. And if you like your knives at all, get rid of that silly knife sharpener. All that does is tear up a knife blade is a heartbeat. Yes, it will get a bade sharp, though it destroys a fat grind blade, but it rips off so much metal in the process that it shortens the lifespan of a working knife by years. And that knife was already sharp. You just had no idea how to hold a flat grind to make it cut.
I'm curious what you have against (tip down/right side) back pocket carry? while bent down working on something, I can reach back, retrieve and open my knife before someone that front pocket carries can straighten themselves to access their front pocket. Same in putting it back after the task is complete. I've carried this way for over 30 years. As for sharpening, you do realize that flat ground knives have a secondary bevel at a much steeper angle (15 -20 deg per side). Full flat with no secondary bevel would be much to delicate . The ceramic crock stick sharpener isn't my go to, but I think your also misinformed about it.
James Ritchie is mister negative on everything! And he thinks he's a world class authority on everything! Don't listen to his B.S. he'll only bring you down! --- Sam Adler
I too carry knives that way, and have done so for at least 30 years. I've carried everything from Opinel #6 to Victorinox Hercules and Buck 110!! TheRoosterscrow, do you think an Opinel #10 would ride next to the wallet o.k. since I've been willing to carry other bulky (and much much heavier knives) in that way?
Great job, your mods are beautiful. I think I will attempt to give my #7 the spear point mod that you did. Did you use a file to remove the clip point?