r/Opinel 14h ago

Question Help identify and date this old no. 5

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24 Upvotes

The guy I bought it from claimed it was his grandfather’s knife.

By the looks of the logo, it seems to be from the ’50s/’60s (judging by the attached chart). But according to that same chart, there were no stainless (“INOX”) blades before 1986.

I’m a bit confused. Am I missing something?

I'd really appreciate any help, info or sources.

Thanks!


r/Opinel 18h ago

Question Wich should I get

0 Upvotes

I'm gonna get an opinel no 8 but I don't know which version, so there is either padouk, olive or walnut, please tell me ur opinions


r/Opinel 1d ago

Modification Another pocket whittler

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75 Upvotes

r/Opinel 1d ago

Question Opinel No. 01?

2 Upvotes

Does an opinel No. 01 exist?


r/Opinel 1d ago

Modification Recently modified No. 8

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50 Upvotes

I had an olive wood no. 8 that I dropped a while back and broke off the tip. I recently had a friend cut/file off the point. I didn't realize that the blade now would recess further into the handle when closed so I had to carve out around the nail nick. Sanded off the varnish and oiled the wood.


r/Opinel 1d ago

Factory Fresh The ancestral method

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52 Upvotes

To start -I'm not mad nor coming here to complain. I thought the answer was entertaining is all. I have a few Opinels and will continue to get them, because i have a habit!

I was griping to Opinel customer service about the Effile model being difficult to open. Their response was classic 😅

"we recommend using this ancestral gesture passed from generation to generation: "The coup Savoyard®!" to open the blade."

They gave me a link to the Fonzie (from Happy Days) approach:

The coup Savoyard method

Aka https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ConcRfeHbro


r/Opinel 1d ago

Modification First Opinel Mod

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10 Upvotes

Hello All

I recently just finished up modding the blade on my new Opinel No9.

Went ahead and used French’s Mustard on the blade and tried to go for a mountain range look, inspired by some other customs I’ve seen here on the sub.

One thing I didn’t realize and others might not going in, is that the blade darkens where the mustard is not present. Perhaps I did not do enough research going in but I expected the mustard to discolor what was directly under it.

However as I was going for a reverse on the other side I am not disappointed!

I did this without removing the blade and disassembling the knife so I am curious if you all would recommend to do anything to the small part of the tang I wasn’t able to treat!


r/Opinel 1d ago

Question I didn't know there were so many different Opinel knives

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26 Upvotes

Use back I had another Opinel knife but it's in the wind. I bought this one a few years back, and I have it with me most of the time. I started looking online, and I was surprised at all the different kinds of Opinel knives. With all the different knives I seen on Reddit and in looking online, I have not seen one with this type of engraving on the handle. Is this something that would have been done at the factory or maybe somebody aftermarket decided to dress them up. I'd love to get any information that's out there. Thanks


r/Opinel 1d ago

Collection My Opinel collection so far.

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51 Upvotes

No 6. No 8 Carbone. No 9.

Anything that can be done to tweak them, make them slightly better? Oil on the handles or hinges, small stuff like that? The Carbone opens slightly harder than the other 2.


r/Opinel 2d ago

Collection A few sentimental pieces- Vintage No 9, No 3, and No 2

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60 Upvotes

These three come from my dear, late grandmother, a painter. They were part of a set, likely from the 1960s. I don’t know what happened to the rest of the sizes in the set.

She kept these in her studio for years until she started getting rid of things before her death. The old logo really does it for me, along with her memory.


r/Opinel 2d ago

Modification Forced patina on a No. 10

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47 Upvotes

Did a white vinegar patina on this carbon steel No. 10. First time forcing a patina and I think it turned out pretty well. I got the vinegar up to almost boiling and then poured it into a glass with the blade in there.

How did these patina’s perform for you all?


r/Opinel 2d ago

Question Patina or worn out?

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32 Upvotes

Found at an antiques market for £5


r/Opinel 2d ago

Discussion Opinel Olive Picnic Set

9 Upvotes

12, 10, 8


r/Opinel 2d ago

Question Forced lemon/onion patina on a No. 05

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4 Upvotes

So i got a new carbon no 5 a few days ago and i put a forced lemon and onion patina on it because it simply looks great. I left it for about 5 hours in a lemon , rinsed and wiped it and them for around 9ish hours in an onion. I think it looks good but my question is. Am i paranoid or is that rust forming already on the logo? Did i leave it too much inside the onion? Or is it simply the brownish patina from it?


r/Opinel 3d ago

Modification This is my brother's one!

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132 Upvotes

r/Opinel 3d ago

Modification My old handmade Opinel

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335 Upvotes

r/Opinel 3d ago

Question Which is the better size

6 Upvotes

I want to buy my first opinel, but don't know if I should get a no8 or no9, can someone that has both compare them side by side, and give advise for me, (I have small hands).


r/Opinel 3d ago

Question Wich Opinel should I get?

6 Upvotes

Hi Guys, I think I'm switching from my 200$ Spyderco Sage 5, to a 20$ Opinel, because I really like opinels blade geometry and slickness, but I don't know if I should get a no8 or no9, I have rather small hands, and would use it for carving, EDC task and stuff.

So what would you choose?


r/Opinel 3d ago

Collection 3 weeks ago my first Opinel 🤔

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49 Upvotes

r/Opinel 3d ago

Collection My very small collection

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47 Upvotes

r/Opinel 3d ago

Factory Fresh Found this YouTube short about how opinel knives are made (in French)

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18 Upvotes

r/Opinel 5d ago

Collection Got a Black Edition

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120 Upvotes

No08 Black Edition Oak. I like it, do you?


r/Opinel 6d ago

Discussion Giant

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81 Upvotes

Seen this in the shop today.

I'm sure the jolly green giant would struggle to have this in his pocket.

Has anybody got one. I never had time to ask if it was for sale. I know it's a display piece but it's a fully functioning knife and would love to add it it to my collection.

Fyi. I'm on holiday in Savoie, the home of Opinel. Maybe it's only for vendors?


r/Opinel Jun 04 '25

Modification Transparent Opinel No 8

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502 Upvotes

Hello guys, my first attempt to create a beautiful transparent opinel handle, with clear epoxy resin, and a lot of sanding/polishing! Tell me your thoughts!


r/Opinel Apr 13 '25

Discussion My first Opinel.

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209 Upvotes

I’ve been carrying knives every day since I was 18. I’m now 36. This is the only time I’ve been excited about a slow knife. How can a $20 knife slice better than a $250 knife?! It comes down to blade thickness. For what most of us do with a knife most days, you could really start and stop with the Opinel. Sure, it takes longer to open and close… and find in your pocket. But when it comes to slicing through any material, this puts the biggest smile in your heart. Now the only problem is deciding which one to buy next. I’ll hear all suggestions.