What the Hell is an Opinel?

I know your thinking I forgot about taking a look at the three knives I picked up last Friday at the pawn shop – but I didn’t forget – I just didn’t have time to manipulate pics and start the posts – so here we go!

This one is an Opinel 8 – and yes I know – Bruce – What the Hell is an Opinel? – If you get in the way back machine you need to set it for 1890 to get to the start of Opinel knives – or << GO HERE to Opinel-USA >> – their main page – or if you want to know just about anything and everything about Opinel – << GO HERE to their “Opinel Story” Page >> – pretty good reading . . .

Opinel is a ring lock knife – where the bolster would be on a conventional knife – the is a split ring . . .

You simply turn the ring . . .

From the locked position – to the unlocked position . . .

And you open the knife . . .

With the blade open you simply turn the ring a little further and . . .

The blade is now locked open . . .

Folks – in all honesty – I will be picking up some more knives out of the Opinel line – the pictures don’t convey the feel of the knife – it is a wonderful little knife – very light – very good feeling of control – a real different feel for a pocket knife than what most people expect – it’s like – well I got my big old chunk of ( insert brand name ) knife and I can cut and chop my way through ’bout anything – the Opinel will do it with finesse – total finesse – totally different than but similar to the feel of a Kershaw “Leek” as opposed to a Buck 110 – if THAT makes any sense to you . . .

I’m at a loss trying to convey the feel of the knife – it’s that different – and not a bad different – almost a refreshing different – really nice knife . . .

Trip on over to BladeHq – Opinel or Smoky Mountain – Opinel and pick one or two ( or three! ) out and give them a try – I am thinking hard about some of their kitchen knives – if Opinel has managed to convey the feel of their folders into their kitchen knives – I’m all in!! I’ve got more kitchen knives than any three family’s should own – and each knife has it’s very own “feel” and I use them for different tasks – same pattern – same size – but each one has a different “feel” and that’s how I use them – it’s the same way with firearms – identical models will each shoot differently – they have their own “personality” – ( if you shoot enough YOU know ) – knives are the same way . . .

Now I just have to figure out which knife? – the 5″ boning knife is whispering to me as well as the 8″ Chef knife – Decisions Decisions . . .

What’s in YOUR pocket?

Have Fun! – Run the Gun! – and remember – Fish Heads are Cheap!!