Made in France, cheap as hell, scary sharp, and floats in water. Leave the spider-co fidget flippers for the kids because Opinel is the real OG.

@EkremDajakaj

6 жыл бұрын

AdrunkChangeling if you put this knife in water than it's very hard to close him because handle made pressing to Blade Wood's take water

@thomasmaloney843

5 жыл бұрын

Meanwhile the Spyderco sinks to the bottom of the lake.

@ianjenkins6104

5 жыл бұрын

Wrong. Not one of the current 11 types of Opinel knives floats in water, they never have, it’s an urban myth. Try it and see.

@elephantsmemory3142

4 жыл бұрын

@jhon doe Nor am I but I am now thinking about it

@evgenybelilovskiy1205

4 жыл бұрын

OK boomer

There is a reason that this knife has been around since 1890 and sells 15 million of them a year. It ROCKS! I love mine! Other knife company's will come and go but the good old Optimal will still be around. This knife is the ultimate in the K.I.S.S. acronym. Oh and its cheap too.😀

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Revo Runner ya buddy!

Here, in Savoie, the Opinel is a real piece of history. A lot of people in here, hold this knife on them every day. We grow with our knife. Some people eat with the same Opinel since more than 20 years! (and they are grumpy if an other knife is given to them, ahah) They age very well, the old rusty Carbon blade become full of caractere with time!

As a French guy, I'm very happy to see how enthousiast you are with this good old Opinel! I have around 60 knives, maybe 1/3 of Benchmade, 1/3 of Cold Steel and 1/3 of various other brands, but when it comes to my meal, I use an Opinel n°8. Everyday.

another point to make is how easy these blades are to sharpen, and how insanely Sharp you can get them With minimal effort, both because of the simple steel and the lean primary grind, no "tactical" knife will outcut an opinel

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

+TheBluePills True that!

@watermain48

8 жыл бұрын

Mine came ridiculously sharp and didn't need any touching up. I love this knife.

@BradGryphonn

6 жыл бұрын

Absolutely. I can get a razor type edge on my No7 and I can easily change the edge if I want a longer lasting, almost razor edge. My introduction to Opinel was in the early 90s when I was gifted an Opinel No8; pre double lock and Stainless varieties.

@emmarowley1096

5 жыл бұрын

Had my number 8 for the last 12 years and it's used daily and still looks good considering that it's used and abused and always get a good edge especially if you use a little bit of Ballistol. High carbon steel blade every time for me never gotten on with stainless blades

@joelilley3554

4 жыл бұрын

Yeah but these so called tactical knives aren’t meant to e insane sharp to do super fine cutting tasks. They are made for cutting rope, straps, rags, and flesh of need be. Tactical knives are still very sharp they just don’t need to e that sharp.

It can't get any simpler than that. Love those opinels and they make great gifts for friends and family. The #8 is a perfect size to carry in my pocket.

@yoadrian3814

9 жыл бұрын

Yes it can. Look up the svord peasant

Man, I just love how you define "tactical", so true. I love my Opinel, I've had mine for a couple of years now. It's a great folder. Thanks for doing this awesome review

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

+Teejay bc Glad that you enjoyed it!

Maybe one of the most tactical knives you've reviewed...in the true sense of the worf.

Just as you said: ''folding mora'', exactly what I say all the time haha

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

MISTER AGB Sweet!

@rickeybullington68

4 жыл бұрын

@@gideonstactical how do you like that knife .how much do they cost .were is the best place to but one at .great video and be safe .

the opinel no 8 carbone is the knife i use most, i carry it every day, it is a superbly simple knife, i buy them as gifts for all my friends, and even here in australia, it costs only around $20aud, unbeatable value!!!

I really wanted to hate this knife, but I couldn't do it...I Love it! Best food prep knife ever, takes a wicked edge, and so light. Definately one going into my Emergency Kit.

Opinels are great knives. I own several of them and they have never let me down. In fact I have a No6 in my pocket right now!

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

sackett68 Awesome!

@felixgrondin3264

4 жыл бұрын

I just order myself a no 06 baroudeur

Great review. You were so nicely able to explain why Opinel fans love and cherish this humble but elegant knife. My Opinel really does get more day-to-day use than any other in my small collection of more expensive knives. I've often wondered why, and you pretty much explained it it. Thank you.

I have been carrying a opinel #10 carbon steal everyday on my belt for about 2 years now. All i can say is i love this knife. The Opinel and a Victorianox Swiss Army 7 in pocket is all i need to get through a day on the farm.

Love the Opinel! It's a classic! Old school reliable, affordable quality pocket knife that retains it's edge really well. I've been carrying mine (no. 8 Inox) for more than 20 years. It's my backpack "food" knife for cutting apples, salami, bread on a day hike.

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

+Rangersly Sweet!

@rich1051414

8 жыл бұрын

+Rangersly Carbon steel, so it rusts up? For a blade like this, i could see its primary use being food preparation when camping out, but a carbon steel for that purpose is unattractive to me for obvious reasons. Just wondering if corrosion is an inevitability with the steel they use.

@Rangersly

8 жыл бұрын

If it says "inox", it means it doesn't rust. I have no rust on my Opinel.

@luisraygoza1210

8 жыл бұрын

+Rangersly The one in the video doesn't says "inox", it says "carbone", so it's carbon steel. However there are two kinds of opinels, carbon and inox

@Rangersly

8 жыл бұрын

+Luis Eduardo Moreno Raygoza Yes, I was talking about my own blade which says "inox" as I said in my original post.

I love how customizable it is. Can paint, wood burn, or finish the handle how you want, drill lanyard holes, patina the carbon steel, shape the handle, etc.

Nice review about a knife I use since my childhood (I am 48 now). Just one thing I would like to add: If you need to abuse the knife by hammering on the blade for cutting or splitting wood, don't forget to open the locking mechanism, otherwise you will widen that ring and your handle will splinter or break. If you use it right, it's a reliable knife

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Frakke Flightgear Thanks for the heads up.

Yes, it's so beautiful and simple and charming. I love that midcentury locking mechanism, too. I really only know about chef's knifes, but you can feel how perfectly balanced the Opinel is in the hand. And I love its size despite being a featherweight. I've always been turned off by "tacticool," but I wanted a lightweight knife for the outdoors and chose a stainless Opinel as my very first pocket knife. I love it-now I want all the "peasant's knives"!

@brandenlikesbeer

Жыл бұрын

I also find "tacticool" to be anything but cool...

Hello. as i'm french man i'm happy to see you using this knife. I USE THE NUMBER 9 every day in my kitchen for food or vegetable cooking. i've the number 6 for every day carry. Very good knife, of course in carbon style. thanks again

This knife really does take you back in time a bit. I think that's why I love mine so much...

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

Fun little blade.

@mikafoxx2717

4 ай бұрын

The Higonokami andMora classic are also great vintage style knives that just work. Nothing over the top, just a knife that cuts things, as it should be.

Opinel #8 is the sharpest knife I own. I keep all my knives shaving sharp, but this sucker does paper cutting test on a paper towel. Very good knife if used as intended.

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Murad Babaniyazov Right, if used like it was intended for you will love it.

A perfect souvenir to take with you from France. Love them!

This channel is freaking amazing! Pal, you're saving my quarentine!

Yea I love my Opinel No.8. It sharpens easy to a razor edge, nice lock mechanism & I love the sparks it throws off of my ferro rods. Thanks for all of your great videos.

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

2010chingon Glad you enjoyed it.

The French make great cutting machines, the Opinel knife, fencing swords, and the guillotine.

On the Opie www, they say Pablo Picasso carried an Opinel as well as many other famous people! My buddy has one and I like it, and since I gave him my Griptilian 551 for his Birthday, he's getting me the Walnut handled Carbon Steel No. 8 for mine!

I have just recently purchased a No. 6 Opinel and It is a great little blade. My friend saw it and fell in love, so he will be ordering him a No. 8 and trading it to me for my No. 6. I most defiantly love this design and style. It is quite a cool vintage piece that I love to carry.

Very good review. I agree with your conclusions and am glad you liked this knife. If you want a one blade (function) EDC knife this one is all you need. I carry very few items in my pants pockets, but for 60 years have carried a pocket knife in my right front pocket (no clip, no lanyard); I’ve never had trouble getting it out or losing it. I believe you use a knife for knife stuff, a hatchet/axe for hatchet/axe stuff, a machete for machete stuff, and a crow bar for crow bar stuff. I have seen videos were folks have successfully batoned this knife and opened it with one hand, I have not done either, but have never needed to. Frankly, I prefer a SAK Pioneer X for in town carry and an SAK Farmer for woods carry, but could get by with this Opinel. Of course, not even my Buck 110 or my original SOG Tomcat will replace a fixed blade knife so neither will my Opinel No. 8. 😀

Awesome review. Great to see the Opinel the credit it is due. Nowadays everything seems so overkill so it is great to see that a classic knife still has a place.

Thanks man ! Appreciated 🇫🇷

Opinel served me 20 years in my fly-fishing trips until I lost it. Awesome knife! Have to get a knew one...

I just bought an 8. Your video convinced me to have one. Nice review sir.

I bought the model with the walnut handle for the extra couple of dollars. I think it's an awesome gentleman's knife. I think I read something about it once that said "perfection isn't when you have nothing left to add, it's when you have nothing left to take away." Everything about it is a simple and effective design, with nothing it doesn't need. I absolutely love it, same feelings as you there's just something about it that makes it very pleasing to pull out and use. They definitely make great stuffing stockers too!

I have several Opinels and love them all. I always keep a #6 carbone in my fire kit for a striker and backup blade. Some come rather stiff, and when exposed to moisture will swell enough to make them difficult to open. Here's a tip ... bake your Opinel in a low heat oven at 150 degrees for an hour or two. The wood will shrink, the knife will open like butter and the low heat will not affect the temper of the steel. Works every time. More difficult in the field, but certainly a solution once you return home. If you're really ambitious, you can remove the safety collar, drive out the pin, remove the blade, use a tiny file to remove some wood material and reassemble. This is a more permanent solution, but is a much greater effort. If you go this route, you'll find a number of KZread vids on how to disassemble an Opinel. Anyone who loves knives should own a few Opinels. You can't go wrong.

@shawnoconnors3645

6 жыл бұрын

Man , for this problem, in France, we have a traditional and simpler solution: take it like when the blade is open it's gonna stab you , opening of the blade to the ground , and hit lightly but firmly the wood end of the handle against something hard , it will open a little , the you can open it with both hands ;) the show this technique on the opinel website if i remember well :D

I know this video is six years old but I was born in 1957 and grew up in the 60s and 70s. I always seen one of these knives in fishing tackle boxes and on a lot of firing ranges. You are so right this brings me back to a simpler time.

I live in Ireland, You buy the opinel no. 8 or 9 in any hardware store for €8. I love them so much, so I bought a no.12, with a 12 cm blade and been using it in the garden and bushes for years now. Briliant!!! Almost a foldable machete

What's also great is that the opinel, much like a regular swiss army knife, doesn't look threatening. If you go through a security checkpoint and you forgot to leave your opinel behind, no one would ever think you tried to sneak it in for malicious reasons. Your one-handed black, modern folder with "tactictal" stamped on every part will be seen in a different way.

I use my no 9 carbon everyday for random cutting as well as when I go hiking. Great knife.

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

ItsSugar Sweet! They are awesome.

I bought mine while in the military back in '94. Still carry it today.

At my place, in France, you can get an Opinel n° 8 for less than 10 €. It is a fantastic knife to carve wood and slice fruit, vegetables and meat.

My dad carried one for 40 years. I have it now. He drilled a lanyard hole in it so that can definitely be done fairly easily being made of wood.

Picked this knife up after watching your video and I enjoy every time I pull it from my pocket to use it. It's nowhere near as fast as all my other "tactical" knives or assisted openers but it kind of makes you slow down and enjoy using the blade. It also takes a wicked sharp edge! Thanks for the vid, I now have a new favorite old school style knife :)

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Danny K Glad to help!

i drilled a 4 mm hole in the handle, where the curved part of the blade leaves a corner to work with. strung through a leather string about 3 mm diameter. used the sheath that my ez-lap model M came in. very comfortable carry design. loop the leather string around wrist. so convenient.

One important thing about Opinels is that they're very sharp and fairly strong, but cheap This means that if you forget them and get 3 or 4 miles down a trail then realise that you've left them at a lunch break or in a cabin, it's no big deal to carry on walking and buy another one. Guess how I know that?

For your interest: I recently bought an Opinel N°8 and the „slight drift in the blade“ is not existent in mine. This is my only experience though, because it is my first Opinel. Additionally I'm German and bought it here, but I don't think that the French send different qualities to Germany and the USA.

Great video. I have the #8 gardening, and #10 slim myself. Couldn't agree whit you more. Sometimes, you don't kneed the newest steal, handle material or design. Sometimes, it's about the enjoyment of being taken back to a knife just being simply a knife.

I have several no. 8 opinel I've drilled my own lenard holes my first opinel is 45 years old stil using it I bought another one at Smokey mountain knife work's in tennessee. Payed 8:00 dollars for it no. 8 is the most versatile and best of the other model's carbon blades our always better more harder use they throw Better sparkes with a ferow rod

@zippolit4485

3 жыл бұрын

My no. 8 opinel carbone broke cuting cardboard boxes, I hope they back up there product with the lifetime warranty.

The blade is full convex with micro bevel.This is my favorite edc knife

I just recently found your channel and am enjoying it. I had seen the Opinel for years and thought what a cheap looking knife. I would not even pick one up to look at it. About 15 years ago I discovered just how good they were. I have been using them since before the locking collars were added. They were dangerous, they would open in your pocket. Also if using in a wet environment the wood will swell and make opening difficult. If this happens hold by the collar and tap it on a hard surface and the blade will make an appearance. I have heard this is called the Opinel Knock, it works. A small flashlight belt holder will work as a sheath. Sorry to ramble on but it's the best camp food prep knife I've ever used.

The only thing you forgot to mention is the cool packaging with the "birth date" etc. I love this knife. Got one for my grand daughter who loves to whittle. Thanks for sharing your review.

I've had a No 7 for about 35 years! I originally got it because it floats and I was doing a heap of canoeing on the Katherine river in the NT. Foundi it in a box of junk 10 years ago, cleaned it up ( lot's of sentimental value," back when I were a lad" type stuff) and I now carry it a lot, and it's in my backpack because it's so sharp and functional. I highly recommend these blades!

Great video. I really want to try this knife to convince my dad to get one, because I know he will love it. He uses a Swiss army knife now but he would love this for food prep and carving.

HI. In France, Opinel is your first knife when you're a kid, you can buy it with your pocket money. Every rural boy has one, I used to engrave my name on the handle. You choose it bigger as you grow up, it's good for everything : camping, work, outdoor, ... The blade get rusty very fast so you have to often clean it and pay attention. The trick to open it when the blade is pushed too much down into the handle is to hit the rear on the table.

I have a blue handle No. 8 that I've used in my kitchen for the last 4 years. I love that thing.

the Opinels have several advantages as EDC knives--they are light, have comfortable handles, are easy to keep sharp and even the large ones don't scare people

Opinel are French peasant knives. My dad and his dad and my great grandfather carried these on the farm in France. (Spaniards too) The original were carbon steel, very easy to razor sharpen. BTW, I'm in my 70s

I saw this guy at the grocery store putting bags of stuffing up on the shelf. He was a great stuffing stocker, always making sure the shelves were stocked with stuffing.

I love my Opinel no8, had it 10 years. I use it primarily as a Food knife. have only ever touched it up on a steel occasionally, edge holds well. favourite thing to do with it is cut up a ploughman's lunch- smoked ham, crusty bread, mature cheese, tart apple & a pint of Ale.

I just received an Opinel No 8 as a Christmas gift two days ago. I never would have thought to buy one for myself, so I’m very happy that someone else did! It’s all utility, no unnecessary luxury. I’m impressed that the edge angle is at the absolute bottom of the blade. It’s practically one big Scandi grind. I haven’t put it through its paces yet, but it seems to be doing alright. The factory edge is quite toothy, so it isn’t slicing very well just yet, but I’m sure a few passes on some high grit stones will make it into an absolute beast.

I have been teaching myself to make knives for a few years and have made several fixed blades I plan on making a folder similar to this soon.

One of the things that I like Opinel for is the ease with which you can carve, grind & sand the handle to fit your hand...then refinish as you like.

Love these blades! I also love my modern folders but at the end of the day, this is all you really need

I love this knife and I loved the review. You are the man sir!

I'm using this no8 for 7 years now, the very best. Even compared with much more expensive brands. Thank you for the great review

AWESOME review man! I love the No8 and have used them for 20 years now. It is a bullet proof folder and is perfect when it comes to skinning small animals like rabbits,hares and possums! keep up the good work

love your vids ! thanx

Wow, great review and presentation. Nicely done. Yes, I have a "bunch" of Opinels..... from #6 through #10...and a couple of their paring knives. Have been using a #8(SS) for kitchen duty for three years or so. Seems as though it never gets dull. Anyway, thanks again for the great review... Regards, George

The No12 rocks even MORE!

Thx a lot! Im going to buy it now :-)

I have an original Becker BK-7. I told me kids when they were younger that BK stood for Bear-Killer. I still have my Buck 110 from my Army days in the early 70s. That all being said, the Opinel 8 is what I have in my pocket out in the yard and one in my camping kitchen.

I bought my first opinel n°8 in 1980, during my first summer camp (in France). I was 6!

never owned one...but have heard great things about them. thanks for the review.

Good materials + simplicity × experience = good blade it's simple has hell I have two of those and they are great

Hey you may not know this but the way we think of cowboys and so forth as our past, the French think about their farming ancestors. You might be an aeronautics engineer in Toulouse but you've got a folder in your pocket because your grandfather-OK, your great-grandfather-certainly had one on his daily rounds on the old family farm. They value that tremendously, it's part of who they feel themselves to be, and if the knives in their pockets are old-school traditional ones so much the better. So it was really very insightful of you to get that impression, because it's truer than you may know.

Bought and camped with it the last month. Love it

I think I'll get one. Thank you.

No longer $13, double it in 2023. Just purchased my first Opinel, a No. 8

I know this comment comes years after you posted. However, I have a little story to tell. I was gifted, back in 1991, of an Opinel No8, prior to the double locking change and before Stainless Opinels. I loved that knife. I carried it everywhere and sharpened and rehoned it to a point where I'd lost around 3mm of the blade. It eventually died circa 2011 due to my stupidity after a fishing trip ('nuf said). I recently bought another Opinel, a No7 (Carbone of course :) ) and it's my go-to knife at home for tasks. Oh, and as to the blade lying on one side...my No7 does the same. It lays flush against the Opinel brand side. I'm really tempted to buy a No13 in support of Opinel. I'd take it out bush with me and blow fellow hikers away when pulling it out of my pack :D

Finally someone that knows tactical dosnt always means Rambo

The first time I went in contact with an opinel is when i was looting my deceased grandfather's heritage. I was young, the only knives I had were small and dull multi-function knives. In comparison, the n°8 I found was a bigger and way sharper knife. I immediately became addicted to it, because, why would I use a knife that doesn't cut well ??? Still have it today and use it in my garden now that I have a house of mine.

Love your review! I have recently discovered Opinel knives and couldn't agree with you more. Simple, inexpensive, quality knives that take you back to a much simpler time. Every time I use it I stop and think, "This is the way my great-grandfather did it." I am an avid knife collector and will be adding more Opinel knives to my collection.

I harvested a deer a few years ago, tracked through the woods. Found the deer right before dark, would not leave it in the woods for fear of coyotes (which were in the area). I had no choice but to gut the deer and drag it back to the truck. Being the genius I am not, as I got on my knees to begin I realized I had left my hunting knife at camp. All I had was an Opinel No7. Short story: it handled the job with no problem. I now have 3 Opinels and I edc one at all times.

This is the best review I’ve seen about the best knife I’ve used (try the number 9 and 10 too) ! With love from France 🇫🇷

Opinels are tacticool. I have several and they are nice light weight pocket knives.

Excellent video! Opinel,s are great pieces, really "tactical" in a wide concept

Got one of these in the stainless version - just wish I could remember where I put it, it came with an Opinel leather belt pouch that is high quality so I filled that with a carbon version, it was sharp but the edge was a little rough I ran the flats over the fine stone then worked the edge with the Lansky at 17deg it is wow sharp now, the knife is so light I some times forget it's on my belt, great for food prep, light carving and general knife work, why pay $$$ for something half as good or pay big $$$ for something you are afraid to use or loose. Get yourself an Opinel you won't regret it. As far as the God Bless goes - He does .. go find Him for yourself you won't regret that either.

Great video! Keep up the good work! Opinels are awesome knives!

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Yehoshua Jason D. Stone They sure are my friend!

In my experience, practical beats tactical. great review!

I am following your channel since quite a while, and was very curious to see what you would have to say about this knife - I'm french, by the way!;) An Opinel is a lot more than a piece of tradition! We're talking about one of the best budget folding knife ever, indeed: ridiculously cheap (7 euros here) crazy slicer, excellent at carving (I prefer it to a mora to carve a spoon, by example), very easy to resharpen, great ergonomy... And it's the king of the kitchen! Most people here in France have one and use it for food preparation, and french people are not renowned to be basic with their cooking... the only real drawback being the fragile tip, most people break the very end at one point, without it having a lot more than a cosmetic consequence. Add that to that the fact they have all sizes of blades from 1 to 5 inches (2 to 12 centimeters)... there's no reason left not to own one! When I travel abroad I always bring a couple, it makes a typical gift that is useful. For once there is a very good french product, I will not hide my pleasure!;) Thanks a lot for all your work, you have an amazing reviewing capacity and I like your energy and style (except the rare gun stuff, why the hell are you american so obsessed by guns???), take care!

@tokr72

9 жыл бұрын

totom cosmikvratch Because... that's why. I visited your fair country. I sat underneath the Arc de Triumph on Bastille day. I took in the view of Paris from the Eiffel Tower, visited Notre Dame cathedral, I even saw a mime. Loved the chocolate crapes. Wish I could have stayed longer, but I was traveling with Germans, and well, you know how they are about schedules and time. It's a sickness. If I had known about these rustic little knives then, I definitely woulda picked one up.

classic, beautiful folding knives and a fantastic value. i believe opinel was one of the first mass produced locking folders, if not the first. these are great to have in your collection and make a great gift to those friends and relatives that are a bit resistant to or scared of knives.

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

+Dexter Charles Nice!

I only discovered these knives last year. But they're amazing for the price. A great value. Reminds me of the Star Wars quote about lightsabers: "...an elegant weapon for a more civilized age."

Its amazing for all kinds of light uses From food prep to some light wood carving

My style of pocket knife! Great review. Simplicity has its advantages.

I have a no 8, I have to say; they seem comfortable for every person to use. Mine cost me £10 and is fantastically sharp. It looks beautiful, is easy to modify, is easy enough to carry and is just generally a great knife. Also, just so you know, they're not farmers knives, they're peasant knives, cheap, simple, reliable, sharp and usable.

Great Vid Thank You.

Hi, thanks for the review. I live in Belgium (not far from France), I just bnought an Opinel this weekend for 8 euros at Decathlon. I love this knife very much, very sharp (even a little dangerous for your fingers OMG)... Very traditional French knife for basic things like cutting salami, steak, apple, wood....) love love love it ! I went to Decatlhon and I bought another one for a friend of mine ! Now I'll try to order an Opinel case for it... Interesting, I have a Victorinox Swisschamp 1.6795. Excellent multifunction pocket knife but the I prefer the Opinel for everyday use. Cheers from Belgium.

I love this pocket knife and I use it as an EDC type knife. good review.

@gideonstactical

9 жыл бұрын

Carlos Sepulveda Thanks!

I learned how to open my Opinel with one hand shortly after I started to carry--but I had learned to do this with a Scout knife in college as a distracter while in class

I have this knife and yes you can absolutely drill a lanyard hole and I also made a relief notch in the handle to aid in opening the knife in general and with one hand if necessary. Great little knife I wouldn't use it for more than medium duty tasks but its plenty durable especially for its cost.

I gotta go get one. Looks like an awesome slicer!!!

@gideonstactical

8 жыл бұрын

+ken r You will love it.