Opinel #8 - An Amazingly Affordable French Classic Folding Knife

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 I ordered the Higonokami knife and this knife about the same time.  Another highly recommended knife for those wishing to add to their collection an iconic and historic affordable folder. 'Most knives you should have' lists include this one. Like the Higonokami, this one also represents a quality knife from outside the US.  The Opinel pocket knife comes from France, and the name is now essentially synonymous with the French word for knife. Joseph Opinel began making knives in Savoie, France in 1890, so its history somewhat parallels that of the Higonokami. The family run business is still located in that area. It became popular with local farmers, herdsmen, and peasant wine makers.  By 1897 a whole range of knives were being developed, numbered and named 1 to 12.  Mine is a #8, which is fairly popular.  #1 was discontinued in 1932, and #11 in 1935.

Surprisingly, this iconic folder is very affordable, mine costing a bit over $18 through Amazon.  The construction is straightforward with basic materials such as Beechwood (for the handle) and carbon steel (XC90, the blade) and a stainless Virobloc safety ring with two sections, one fixed and one sliding for secure locking simple ring locking system (invented by Marcel Opinel in 1955, although #2-5 do not have this feature).  Like the Higonokami, this is also a mass produced knife, allowing for lower production costs.  

It comes in both carbon and stainless steel, with obvious benefits to each.  Although the carbon steel is higher maintenance, it seemed the more traditional of the two.  

Unlike expensive and more highly refined knives on the market today, the Opinel, like the Higonokami, is a 'regular guy's knife.'  After all, it was initially marketed to peasants.  By the start of WWII as many as 20 million knives were being sold and its popularity is certainly not abated.   

Again, like the Higonokami, this knife is super sharp right out of the box.  The blade of the Opinel is a little longer than the Higonokami, and the wooded handle is longer and more comfortable on the hand. The Higonomkami, on the other hand, would fit in your pants pocket a bit easier than the Opinel, although that is not to say it would not fit.  It's just that the wooden handle is a bit bulkier.  It also does not have the pocket clip of a more modern folder. 

There is a symbol on the blade of a crown and a hand.  The story is that the hand comes from the coat of arms of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, which represents the relics of John the Baptist, whose finger bones were apparently brought back from Alexandria by St. Tecla in the 5th century.  The crown is from the coat of arms of Savoy, the area that contains Savoie.  

Personally, part of the joy of collecting is knowing the history in your collection.  The last two knives definitely have a connection with the past and with cultures outside of the US, as other knives do in my collection such as the Sgian Dubh (Scottish ceremonial knife - March 17 post), and the small Celtic knife (also March 17). 

The official site in France is: https://www.opinel.com/fr/. Make sure to use the translate function offered!

    

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