Opinel Carbon Steel 10 Knife Set: A Detailed Look and Overview

I have been thinking about Opinel Knives for a long time now. Literally thinking about how an Opinel would fit my needs...my intended use and style and how it would apply to my outdoor skills. I came to terms with the idea that regardless of field use, an Opinel is an essential piece of a collection...and in my case it would become a blank canvas for some customization and "artwork" opportunities. In this video we take a preliminary first look at this set...before my "artwork" to run down the 10 blade set and discuss them in detail.

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[didierlacroix]

Hi, glad you like our iconic French Opinel knives. they're perfect !!! the n° 8 is the iconic one, with a carbon steel blade. Bonjour à mes amis Américains. les Opinels sont les meilleurs, basiques, et des super couteaux. le " design" date de 1890 et n'a pas changé depuis

[bengreen]

My No.2 is my most beat up knife and used almost on the daily. I have the keychain version and its attached to my car keys. The amount of times that little no.2 has come in useful is utterly amazing.

[PREPFORIT]

I have had a #5 for a long time.
It is versatile. Good video again.

[michaelknott]

I would probably drill a hole at the end of the #2 and put it on a keychain. I have a SAK that I use in a similar way and I have used it for small tasks like sharpening a pencil or opening mail. The SAK also has the added benefit of scissors though which come in handy often as well.

[ianatkins]

No.4 is my EDC. Not threatening and legal in most places. It doesn’t take much space on a hike or fishing trips. Useful for small jobs, including slicing cheese and fruit etc. The carbone develops a nice patina and holds its edge longer than stainless steel.

[Abutado]

My favorite is the N 6. Small but still locking. Large enough for me for food and daily tasks.

[augustinboyd]

I'm new to OPINEL KNIVES JUST BOUGHT MY FIRST ONE A # 7

[mirandahotspring]

When a design hasn't needed to be changed for 150 years you know the company is doing something right. I have a No. 8 slimline and a No. 9
Great knives, and excellent quality for the price.

[clawhammer]

I have a #4 in red on a key change that I keep on my desk for opening my mail, cut string, tape. Very handy to have and probably gets the most use of all my knives since it gets used daily.

[MFRiley]

Man, ya have something against small knives? Haha.
There are many out there with small hands that like smaller knives. My girlfriend, for example, has what seem to be the world's smallest hands, one of the smaller Opinel knives would be perfect for her. Also, that #2 is awesome. I recently lost my tiny Swiss army knife that I kept on my keyring, that #2 would be a great replacement.

Honestly, seeing a company make a knife with so many size options is refreshing. Too often I'll come across a great knife and find out that it isn't a size that would be optimal for me.

[Emil_Nielsen]

Ok, hear me out, the N°2 is basically a scalpel, keep it in your aid kit and keep it sharp and clean, could be good for splinters, an personally I would use it for sewing, cutting thread and trimming leather

[daninmi]

Great overview and presentation! The classic design and great blade geometry made me an Opinel fan. My go-to is the No. 6, but that could change if I move someplace where I can carry whatever knife I like. The really small ones could be good options for folks who must deal with truly Draconian knife laws. Though I rarely use them, they have a bit of a novelty factor that appeals to me. Now I want to get a few carbon Opinels and see what kind of patina I can force on them...

[Epiidevvy]

I got a No.2 for the novelty. Just a collection piece. But I sharpened it to Jesus sharp and its a fantastic letter opener

[MrOhms]

Personally, I don't go below No. 6s due to size and the lack of the lock. I EDC a customized (striped, stained, burnered, and scorched) No. 8 in a sheath and customized No. 6s are left in jackets as spares. I debated going with a No. 9 for EDC but decided the No. 8 hit that sweet spot.

[sandre_sandre]

Little info about the lock: it has a little notch on the handle side, si it can lock the blade in closed position too.

[paullambert]

I have several, but my favorite is a number 9 with the banana shaped handle. I’m not sure if they make that handle shape anymore. I bought it about 20 years ago. I have one in 12C27 Inox with an olive wood handle, but the rest are in carbon. I did a custom mustard patina on all the rest that came out beautifully. The #9 is a great camp food prep knife. I’ve never noticed a taste left on my food. Thanks 🎸🔪

[barrybueler]

Great blades for the price very sharp slices great I only have a mid sized version paid like $12 I think plus I like the old style look though I do admit it doesn’t get much pocket time with everything out there.

[jeebusyaweirdo]

Opinel is great because it sits between modern and classic styles of pocket knives so well. Has the same feel and similar look of the old school non-locking slip joint pocket knives and can even be used as one, but you can also twist it to lock it in place for safety as well. The steel is much better than you’ll find on most modern gravity style knives today. It won’t come out as fast as a gravity knife, but if I’m looking for self defense from a knife I would trust a fixed blade knife way before I trust ANY folding knife.

[robertsnider]

My brother got me one of those knives when he came back from France and I have to say they are pretty nice knives

[lettingthebearout]

Assuming the little guys like the #2, 3, and 4 etc have a 90 degree spine like the larger models, I would consider including them in mini emergency fire kit. They may make a good ferro rod scrapper and good for preparing small tinder, shavings and so on