Customer Reviews

Opinel, Pearwood Handle, 3.25 in. Blade

5 star:		(1)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

I have several Opinel knives from the #6 to the #12, all in carbon steel. These are some of the finest pocket knives for the money you can find anywhere. They are light weight, tough, easy to sharpen and will hold a razor sharp edge extremely well. They are also a VERY safe knife in that the blade has a simple, but extremely secure locking ring that will lock it open better than the common spring lock most lock-blade knives have. It will even lock the blade closed which is an important safety bonus for me as I keep mine shaving sharp, and the last thing I want is for it to accidentally open in my pocket. The Opinel carbon steel blade, just like un-laminated carbon steel blades of every other knife made, requires a little maintenance to keep them rust free. But an occasional coating with olive oil will do that nicely and be safe for food use. It is a small price to pay for such an extraordinary blade. If you are not wanting to invest the time or trouble in maintaining the blade, they are also offered with a stainless steel blade.

I love the Opinel knife, I have several. However I am not sure how this seller found Opinel knives with Pearwood handles, as Opinel has not made a pearwood handled knife since the 1950's.

This direct from the Opinel site:

"Important note: Although you may have seen "Opinel Pear wood handle" in some well know retailer's description, this wood as not been used by Opinel since the 1950s. Pear wood Opinel knives do not exist, some retailers may be using this wood handle in Item descriptions due to ignorance or to mislead consumers."

Again I love the Opinel knife, I just do not think you should be paying double for a knife with a description and wood choice the company is not even making.

I read rave reviews about the Opinel folders, so I had to try one. It is, without a doubt, a very good folding knife. I tried this one with the stainless blade. It opens easily with two hands (but it's tricky with one hand), locks securely open or closed, is plenty strong for most cutting jobs, and the blade takes a very good edge. It is also non-threatening in appearance and is quite ubiquitous in many parts of Europe. An ideal pocket knife for international travel.

The twist lock requires both hands to engage or disengage, and it isn't done quickly. Mine was also shipped with a rather dull blade. A few minutes with a ceramic rod put it right, and I believe a fellow skilled in knife sharpening could shave off his beard very cleanly with this knife. The blade is good steel.

It isn't the most practical knife in a world of one-hand opening, liner-locking knives that clip on your pocket, but it's still an effective design many decades after its introduction. It is also not expensive, so it's got to be one of the biggest bargains in pocket knives nowadays. Made in France.

Within a couple months of purchasing this knife, the twisting locking mechanism jammed open. Then a few months later it completely broke, so that now the blade won't stay open and it's completely unsafe to use. We had to throw it away because it's out of warranty. The blade was good, and stayed sharp. That's why two stars instead of one. But at this price, this knife should have lasted many years.

I've had a carbon blade Opinel before and never had problems w/ rust. this started rusting the first time I used it. sending it back...