Opinel Carbon Patina Development

[sLaughterMed]

Much as the title suggests, I will be making a photographic journal of my Opinel's blade. For reference, here is a brand new Opinel blade:


I recieved my first Opinel, a no. 8, yesterday morning, and immediately used it to eat some steak and eggs with sour cream and salsa.
Then, some tomatoes with sandwiches for lunch.

And the patina, after one day of use.



So pretty.

[jerseydevil]

Nice! Whenever I get a new carbon steel blade, I make it a point to use it and get a patina going.

[Aloha]

Looks great so far.  Nice thing is it will only get better with use and using an Opinel is easy to do.

[sLaughterMed]

Day 2 (well, the beginning of day 3...) some of the patina from day 1 is already less noticeable.

[sLaughterMed]

Day 3
The patina is really starting to grow character. This is kind of fun!

[Toolslinger]

Nothing like growing a nice patina.

[Sparky415]

       

[sLaughterMed]

So since I didnt actually use my Opinel yesterday.... im just going to skip day 4  pics

[cody6268]

I gotta use my No. 6 more, but I don't.  It sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to my other (much older) carbon steel pocketknives.  All of those are blackened and "peppered" from years of use. My Opinel, on the other hand, is shiny and new looking.

[Aloha]

I gotta use my No. 6 more, but I don't.  It sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to my other (much older) carbon steel pocketknives.  All of those are blackened and "peppered" from years of use. My Opinel, on the other hand, is shiny and new looking.

Leave it in the kitchen and use it as your pairing knife.  It will patina nicely in no time at all. 

[sLaughterMed]

I gotta use my No. 6 more, but I don't.  It sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to my other (much older) carbon steel pocketknives.  All of those are blackened and "peppered" from years of use. My Opinel, on the other hand, is shiny and new looking.

Leave it in the kitchen and use it as your pairing knife.  It will patina nicely in no time at all.

Thats what I've been doing, it cuts tomtoes, onions, potatoes, steak and sandwiches quite nicely

[WoodsDuck]

I gotta use my No. 6 more, but I don't.  It sticks out like a sore thumb when compared to my other (much older) carbon steel pocketknives.  All of those are blackened and "peppered" from years of use. My Opinel, on the other hand, is shiny and new looking.

Leave it in the kitchen and use it as your pairing knife.  It will patina nicely in no time at all.

Thats what I've been doing, it cuts tomtoes, onions, potatoes, steak and sandwiches quite nicely

How does Tom feel about that?

[PTRSAK]

My #8 is coming along nicely





That back side almost reminds be of a Damascus pattern

[zoidberg]

Pic for encouragement. It was clean, then I made a lemon and honey drink for my sore throat.

[sLaughterMed]

Looks good PTRSAK.

Im sure Tom wont mind, hes got at least three more toes.

Day something or other

[sLaughterMed]

[Toolslinger]

Looking good so far.

[7.5mas]

I love my Opie's  I couldn't wait for a patina so I used some Mustard to help things
along , I've had this one for about 20 years

[Aloha]

Looks neat.

[Toolslinger]

Very nice pattern in that patina.

[SteveC]

Here's mine when I got it



And after sticking it in an Apple for about 30 minutes

[Toolslinger]

Here's mine when I got it

(Image removed from quote.)

And after sticking it in an Apple for about 30 minutes

(Image removed from quote.)(Image removed from quote.)

Looks similar to mine. I forced the patina with vinegar though.

[sLaughterMed]

Nice looking Opies guys. Im going for a natural patina though, maybe ill try a mustard patina for the next one

[sLaughterMed]

[sLaughterMed]

Been a few days. Still enjoying carrying my Opinel. Whats funny, is since carrying this knife, my (apparently) dormant interest in other folders has been re-sparked what should I get next?

[SteveC]

Ontario Rat 1 or 2 are great knives at a decent price point. The Rat 2 is a bit more pocket friendly.

[Sparky415]

Been a few days. Still enjoying carrying my Opinel. Whats funny, is since carrying this knife, my (apparently) dormant interest in other folders has been re-sparked what should I get next?

   Old school carbon blade folder

[Poncho65]

That is a neat project sLaughtermed I have a No. 7 carbon but it doesn't have a patina yet so I may borrow a few ideas to get it going I may get a No. 8 cause the 7 seems  like it would be better just a size bigger Well to me anyways

[sLaughterMed]

Been a few days. Still enjoying carrying my Opinel. Whats funny, is since carrying this knife, my (apparently) dormant interest in other folders has been re-sparked what should I get next?

   Old school carbon blade folder

What, like an Opinel?

Pretend I don't know any old school carbon blade folders

[sLaughterMed]

That is a neat project sLaughtermed I have a No. 7 carbon but it doesn't have a patina yet so I may borrow a few ideas to get it going I may get a No. 8 cause the 7 seems  like it would be better just a size bigger Well to me anyways

Honestly, I can see why the no 8 is their best seller, it is a fantastic size. Fits well in you pocket, but has lots of blade to work with. Also, if you aren't dedicated enough to carry your no. 7 every day for a month, keep it in your kitchen, and use it as your paring knife.

Ontario Rat 1 or 2 are great knives at a decent price point. The Rat 2 is a bit more pocket friendly.

I've heard great things about the RAT's but for whatever reason they just dont appeal to me I really don't know what it is.

Maybe if I could find a D2 version...