another inexpensive knife..Opinel?

[vash]

okay, i have a soft spot for inexpensive knives that perform.

i lost a benchmade in Vietnam, cutting open some mystery fruit..it disappeared in seconds. this Opinel might be the ticket for my next trip!! (i always travel with a high performance flashlight and some knife)

anyone have any experience with this folder from France? high carbon steel, my new favorite!! a 3-pack from amazon cost less than $35..haha.

[theFONZ]

They are nice knives, but a pain to open and close. There are much better options for an everyday carry type of knife. Definately a great quality knife for the price though. I have one that I carry in foreign countries where knife laws may be strict and I'm not worried about confiscation or ditching it. I actually gave one to a cab driver that took me to the airport in Germany because I didn't have a checked bag to put it in.

[M.D. Holloway]

My letter opener...called a Peasant Knife...got it for a couple bucks.

[aigel]

These have been big all over Europe for camping etc. I have had them. My only complaint is the stark contrast between a round peg handle and the blade. Of course this may be due to the low manufacturing cost. Are they still made in France?

G

[304065]

Cliff, got one in my ski backpack and absolutely love it, sharp enough to shave with right out of the box. The lock mechanism requires two hands and concentration, which actually makes sense given the sharpness of the blade. A well kept secret but the best value knife I own.

[look 171]

I had one when I was a kid. We open so many things with it and it held up to our abuse. It was dull all the time and I still took it on a 10 day back packing trip with me. i had to sharpen it on a rock up in the Sierra. Personally, I buy a cheap Gerber. Lighter, thinner so easier to carry. Flash light, you say? I will start another thread later this evening.

[craigster59]

I've found good knife deals at Big 5, there's always something on sale (Gerber, Smith & Wesson, etc.). Opinel's are nice, just not the greatest "all around" knife. Looks like they have a few S&W's for $14.99 and a few nice Kershaw's for $21.99
http://www.big5sportinggoods.com/product/folding-knives/478242-148748/smith-wesson-extreme-ops-liner-lock-folder.html

[aigel]

One nice thing about this knife is that it is made in France, not China. I like to buy from the democratic side of the globe.

G

[RWebb]

perfect for pears

[vash]

Originally Posted by look 171

I had one when I was a kid. We open so many things with it and it held up to our abuse. It was dull all the time and I still took it on a 10 day back packing trip with me. i had to sharpen it on a rock up in the Sierra. Personally, I buy a cheap Gerber. Lighter, thinner so easier to carry. Flash light, you say? I will start another thread later this evening.

i was at Wat Po, in some dark room. some super hot aussie chick..whispers.."wish we had a flashlight"..my surefire lit some long dark hallways. like the sun.

my wife whispers to me, "showoff." all the girls stayed with me just cuz i could light up dark passages to see cool thing.

[jyl]

Classic French pocketknife. Every French boy's first blade. Slim profile blade, definitely meant for cutting not prying. Comes sharp, and resharpens easily, being carbon steel. Locks securely, though not quickly or one-handed. Light. Different. I love them.

[LWJ]

Got one. It is the perfect picnic knife. I have always been wary of cracking the handle if I put too much torque on the blade. I wouldn't take it camping as there are just better options. I do really like mine. They are old school and charming.
Larry

[matthew-s]

$ for $, can't be beat from what I can tell. If you don't like the handle, change it! It's just wood!

I've seen people do cool things with them. Reprofile them in various ways, checker them, etc. Get it and make it your own

[DARISC]

Originally Posted by matthew-s

...I've seen people do cool things with them. Reprofile them in various ways, checker them, etc. Get it and make it your own

Ahhh, yes: Vos réalisations

Great peasant/farmer knife with a long history: Opinel knife - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

I buy the carbon steel ones and force a patina by wrapping the blades in lemon juice soaked paper towel and leaving them overnight; the patina (a controlled oxidation) looks cool if you think it looks cool and stops the blade from possibly otherwise rusting/pitting if left polished.

[rusnak]

I would hesitate to use that old wooden knife for real. It's a showpiece.

Here's my daily knife.

I'm looking for a fixed blade 4" knife with a carry sheath. IMO, fixed blade knifes are safer than folding ones.

[craigster59]

Originally Posted by rusnak

......I'm looking for a fixed blade 4" knife with a carry sheath. IMO, fixed blade knifes are safer than folding ones.

I like the Boker knives. I have one of these, Arbolito Nicker. Great for bird and trout cleaning, and made to wear with your Lederhosen!
A.G. Russell Knives | Böker® Arbolito Nicker