The venerable Opinel No.
8 model was not just old school, it was Old Country cool.
My first encounter with the French cutlery maker was on a trip to New York City back in 2006.
With nearly 20 years of service, the author’s Opinel No. 8 folding knife is regularly used — from hiking trips and picnics to serious kitchen work.
At the Museum of Modern Art, themagnifiqueOpinel No.
The Opinel No.
His father had a workshop forging agricultural tools for peasants in the area.
The Opinel No. 8 is a knife with a rich history stretching back to the 19th century. The design has seen untold numbers of outdoors adventures, meals prepared and wars fought.
Joseph, a curious 18-year-old, made his original pocketknife while working in the shop.
That first knife started a titan of a company that would make 6.5 million knives in 2023 alone.
Joseph sought to make knives using modern technologies of the time.
An Opinel worker sets pins in No. 8 folding knife in this undated photograph. Image: Opinel
Opinel became a true mass manufacturing business.
8 knife is a dedicated cutting tool.
The 12C27 Mod, marked INOX on the blade forinoxydableor stain resistant, will not develop such coloration.
The Opinel No. 8 knife is a simple, but effective blade that can be used for every day carry as well as household chores.
you could stab your Carbone into an onion to have the same result.
Opinels knives and other tools have several distinctive markings on the blades.
Under the Opinel name will be either INOX or CARBONE denoting the steel.
A knife maker assembles an Opinel knife in this undated photograph. The company prides itself on making high-quality but affordable knives. Image: Opinel
The standard Opinel beechwood handle was shaped to fit well in ones hand.
To that end, there are twelve models in this Opinel style with varying lengths.
They will accommodate different-sized hands and also specific tasks for the knives, such as pruning or mushroom harvesting.
The Opinel No. 8 folding knife is a good companion on a hiking trip. Treating the wooden handle with something like beeswax or walnut oil can help protect it.
Opinel now makes its signature handles in many materials like exotic woods and synthetics.
As to the wooden handle, in its factory form, it is not protected from moisture.
They further recommend using an edible plant-based oil to wipe down the knife.
The rotating Virobloc ring, or ferrule, can be turned several degrees either clockwise or counterclockwise to mechanically lock the blade in the open position and into the closed position.
This should dislodge the blade and allow it to be pried the rest of the way open.
Of course, this would be unnecessary if you treated your wood handles ahead of time.
My beechwood remains as the factory made it.
The Opinel No. 8 folding knife’s price starts at only $19. This makes it a fantastic value that is suitable for a wide range of uses.
Unique Safety on a Folding Knife
The Opinel knife is unique in its rudimentary safety design.
This same ferrule, when turned clockwise, will also lock the blade closed (2000).
It is an engineering marvel which other tool makers no doubt wished they had envisioned.
The No. 8 knife is at home in both the kitchen and field. It’s not hard to imagine French soldiers using the No. 8 in the trenches of World War I to prepare meals between battles.
Versions of the Classic Opinel Knife
There are many variations of the original knives.
Yes, kids knives.
Some are for adventuring and have rounded tips.
I had no such luck in hours of scouring the web.
Final Thoughts on the Opinel No.
8 Knife
My personal Opinel No.
8 has exceeded expectations in the kitchen, workshop, and garage.
On hikes, the No.
8 carries easily at its feathery 1.6 ounces and with its round profile.
As noted, I saw my first Opinel No.
8 in New York City while on vacation.
Before I departed the Big Apple, I purchased a No.
8 for 15 bucks at a local knife stall.
Nearly 20 years later, the same knife will now set you back just 19 dollars retail.
That is an unbeatable value.
And, more importantly, you will be buying yourself a piece of enduring blade history.
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OpinelNo.
8 Stainless Steel Folding Knife
