Advice & Tips

Opinel Pocket Knives

We've been fans of Opinel's compact pocket knives for years. But what makes them so unique? And what is the difference between the dozens of models? After reading this article, you'll know everything you need to know to make the proper selection. Do you already own an Opinel? Then read the maintenance tips to keep it in the best condition.

Opinel pocket knives: The difference between stainless and carbon

The traditional pocket knives are available in 2 types of steel namely stainless steel or carbon but what is the difference?

Sandvik 12C27 Steel

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This is steel that is made in Sweden. This type of steel can be sharpened very sharp and also remains sharp for a long time. Because of the addition of chrome the steel is almost rust free so it hardly needs any maintenance. Ideal for people who want a pocket knife they don't have to oil and maintain.

High carbon XC90 steel

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This type of steel is characterized by the high carbon content in the steel. The advantage is that this steel can be sharpened very easily and stays sharp much longer than the Sandvik 12C27 steel.

Actually, this is the best choice, but it also has a disadvantage. The high carbon content makes the knife more sensitive to rust. This means that the knife will discolour after a while. This is not unhygienic but some people do not like it.

By drying your knife immediately after use and oiling it every so often the knife will remain beautiful.

Which Opinel pocket knife is the best choice for me?

That depends entirely on what kind of person you are. Do you want the sharpest pocket knife and do you enjoy regularly maintaining your pocket knife? Then we recommend without a doubt the Carbon knives from Opinel.

Want to carry a pocket knife without any maintenance (apart from occasionally sharpening it)? Then the stainless steel versions of Opinel are the best choice for you.

all Opinel pocket knives

Opinel pocket knife handles

The pocket knives of Opinel are available with handles of different kinds of wood. The classic Opinel handle is made of beech wood but they are also available with woods like oak, walnut, olive wood or Bubinga.

Every type of wood has its own color and appearance which gives each Opinel knife a unique look. Below a short explanation of the different types of wood.

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Beech

One of the most popular wood species in Europe. The colour depends on the origin and can vary from whitish to light yellow-brown. The carbon versions of Opinel pocket knives have a slightly darker shade of beech wood.

Walnut

Walnut wood has a warm and luxurious color. This type of wood is less sensitive to weather conditions and moisture. Therefore it will not discolor quickly or become dull and your Opinel will look good for years to come.

Bubinga wood

Bubinga wood comes from the Guibourtia Demeusei tree which grows in Central and West Africa. The wood has a red-brown colour. It is easy to maintain and has little tendency to shrink.

Olive wood

This type of wood has a light yellow to dark yellow color with brown streaks. Opinel knives with olive wood look fresh and exotic.

Maintenance of the handle

Opinel pocket knives require almost no maintenance. The wood will stay nice and good even if you don't do anything to it. To make sure the handle stays at its best it is advisable to oil it regularly. The best way to do this is by using Macadamia oil or sunflower oil.

By using oil the wood will be more resistant to weather conditions and it will get a nicer colour.

Maintaining an Opinel pocket knife

Congratulations, you have made the choice for an Opinel pocket knife. But how do you keep your pocket knife in the best condition? That can be read below.

Opinel stainless steel pocket knife (inox)

The stainless steel Opinel 's, compared to the carbon versions, require almost no maintenance. If you want to keep your knife in top condition we advise you to do the following.

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The handle

The handle is available in different types of wood. The woods are designed to withstand extreme conditions. If you want to keep the wood at its best we advise you to oil it every now and then. It is best to use an oil that is as neutral as possible. Mineral oil is cheap, does not give off any odour and does not stick.

The Blade

The knife can be washed under the tap, if necessary with soap. Dry it carefully and add a drop of oil to the beginning of the blade. Sweep the knife several times with a sharpening steel to remove any burrs.

Opinel carbon pocket knife

The carbon pocket knives from Opinel require a little more maintenance than the stainless steel versions.

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The handle

The handle is the same as the stainless steel pocket knife so you can do the same with mineral oil.

The Blade

The carbon fiber blade is susceptible to rust. It is therefore advisable to wipe the blade immediately after cutting damp or acidic products. This will prevent the acid or moisture from working and causing rust stains.

If you do get rust on the knife you can remove it by using a very fine sandpaper over the blade. As soon as you have removed the rust you should wash the knife, dry it and lubricate it with mineral oil.

Be aware that you can't always get rid of all the rust. This is part of the look of a carbon knife and gives the knife character.

Sweep the knife regularly with a sharpening steel to remove burrs and keep the knife as sharp as possible.

I can't open the knife anymore!

After a while you may find that you cannot open the knife. There is a handy tip for this. First check if the Virobloc lock is not closed. If it is open, take the knife and make sure the back of the knife is facing forwards in your hand. Tap the knife on a hard surface such as a table or something else.

This will open the knife a little bit and you can now open the knife normally. To be sure, put a drop of oil between the handle and the blade and your knife will work perfectly again.

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