Before knives were a mess of patents and tactical bullshit, there existed only useful boring
designs- that made anyone who carried them look like a lame ass that couldnt knife fight
their way out of a zombie fantasy marketing video.
In the modern world where crime rates, and deaths in armed conflict are in decline- it
sure makes a lot of sense that the market is awash in bear grylls sawbacks, and push
daggers at a time when we dont even kill the meat we eat anymore.
And I swear to god if someone tells me technically the Gerber sawbacks arent Bear Grylls branded-
Im going to review only Gear Best knockoffs from here on out.
And before I get off further on the tangent that the current knife market is pretty far
removed from reality lets look at the dimensions of the subject of this review the traditional
French pocket knife almost unchanged since 1890 the Opinel no.
8.
Like the overall length and weight.
The blade size and cutting edge.
Note the 8 here in the opinel model number refers to the rough blade length in centimeters.
The handle size and grip area.
Spine thickness and handle thickness.
And the widest part closed.
Opinel has been making these traditional folders in France since 1890 ish.
This style of knife can be had in multiple blade lengths larger and smaller than the
opinel 8.
You can also get the blade in a Sandvik stainless steel or a X90 carbon steel variant which
is reviewed here.
Remember the 8 in Opinel number 8 refers to the size of blade in cm.
But if for example you bought the opinel number 2 people would make fun of your small knife
because the 2 refers to two centimeters.
Thats why you buy the opinel no 13 instead so everyone can respect you and your 13 inch
blade.
The carbon steel number 8 here features a thin convex ground blade shape known as a
Yatagan, which resembles a very slight clip point style blade.
You would by the stainless steel version if you wanted the it to resist rust and discoloration
with use.
I dont care about discoloration, and I generally dry fluids like water and urine from the blades
before closing them- so the carbon steel works for me.
Since these blades are relatively thin, with a very thin edge, expect to have to sharpen
more often than a thicker tactical knife.
The opinel is an ideal style knife for food prep and light every day carry stuff, cutting
tie line, opening packages, and more.
If you want a knife you can build a shelter with because you dont believe in tents- get
a big fixed blade.
The opinel No 8 can be had in varieties with synthetic handles or fancy woods, but the
basic carbon steel number 8 that you buy on amazon for $15 has a handle made from a solid
piece of Beech Tree wood.
The stabilized wood has been finished with some sort of stain or varnish or the spit
of a frenchman.
Its comfortable and slightly bulbous, and fits most types of hands well.
The larger the opinel model the larger handle so if you feel the opinel 8 has too small
of a handle for your ogre hands, size up to a larger one.
The 8 fits my hand great and note theres not really a much of a ricasso or quiilion on
the knife so if you tend to use your knives in extreme ways, well dont- because it kind
of goes right from the handle into the blade.
The less your hand tends to move around on the handle when in use the better on a knife
without finger guards.
The blade locks into place on everything from the Opinel no 6 and up.
The lock is a sleeve mechanism called a Viroblock that you twist when you lock or unlock the
blade, you can lock it open or closedThe blade is a two handed opening, where you use the
thumb knick to open the blade with one hand while holding the handle with the other.
No pocket clip to speak of.
If you want to carry a knife in just your jeans pocket this may not be a good choice
as it will tend to work its way to the bottom of you pocket and sit sideways.
Its better for jacket pockets and putting in a bag or backpack.
Ok lets do some comparisons.
Heres the opinel.
For its size its about as extremely light weight as a folding knife can get.
If you count grams its one of the biggest handle and blade sizes you can get thats this
light.
This is due to the ultra light weightless of the wood and thin blade stock.
However if you are rough with knives- you might want a thicker blade stock.
How about the Paramilitary 2.
Its right at about 4 ounces, so its heavier, and is one handed opening and closing.
This is a fun knife to fidget with and use.
Its a comfortable handle, and also has a thin cutting edge, and is fairly easy for me to
maintain a sharp edge on.
This is more my style of a knife than the Opinel.
It has a pocket clip- which is a big requirement for me.
Ok how about another traditional french folder, with a slip joint.
The Douk Douk.
It has a metal handle, a little more rough around the edges, and costs a few dollars
more.
I prefer the opinel because of the large comfortable handle and longer cutting edge.
Look for an upcoming review of the Douk Douk.
Ok how about one more traditional design, the Higo No Kami.
I reviewed this a month or two ago.
It has a thicker blade stock than the Opinel the opinels tip can be bent fairly easily,
so dont try prying much with it the Higo No Kami though doesnt have the lock, and is more
rough around the edges too.
Ok lets wrap it up.
The Opinel no 8 is a great starter knife for someone or a gift knife.
Its cheap fairly easy to sharpen, and should last a long time unless the person abuses
the knife.
Its not something Id carry often mainly because it doesnt have a pocket clip its a bit too
thin and bendy near the blade tip, and isnt fun to fidget with.
But it has an extremely comfortable handle Also it must be noted Opinel says to go with
the stainless steel option if you tend to use your knife in wet conditions, and use
it to eat with, as the stainless holds its edge better when coming in contact with harder
materials like the porcelain on dinner plates.
Anyway if you like this review subscribe to my channel, give the video a thumbs up, and
leave a comment.
Also buying the knife from the link below can help support my channel.
Thanks for watching.
Music: Bass Walker - Film Noir by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution
license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/) Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-free/index.html?isrc=USUAN1200071
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