Opinel Outdoor Pictures, first look

[dks]

After being let down by the dealer here I imported the Opinel Outdoor the cheapest possible way: from the States… 

It comes in a huge box, blade open.




Specifications and instructions:



Nicer looking and feeling than I was led to believe. 







Feels like an Opinel when you are opening it, having the same resistance, caused by friction between the blade and the body, you find in wooden Opinels.

The two coloured handle appears to be made from two separate but similar (hard but softer than bone, maybe I could say “wooden” in feel) pieces of plastic. The grey one has a softer, velvety feel, the black one just feels like hard plastic.

Looks quite good, if you can stop expecting it to be/look like a wooden Opinel. As a product, on its own without worrying about the heritage it is very good.

Blade cantering, feel of plastic, general finish were very good, definitely a step up from regular, cheaper Opinel products.

The Blade was not very sharp and was unable to cut paper.
It is a No8!





The serrated part is sharpened from the one side only.



The whistle is very loud!! 

Some comparison pictures with a wooden No8 Opinel













Personally I find the No8 handle feels a bit small something that will be even more noticed in a harder use model like this, where you will need to get a good grip to chop down trees or whatever...

The No9 feels better, and the No12 perfect! 



Summarising, I like the idea, the execution, the fact that they dared to make it despite potentially angering all the “traditionalists”.
Good steel, SS, no need to worry about getting the handle wet.

The main problem I see is the price, more than double the price of a regular 8.

I hope to see it in a 12 soon.

[enki_ck]

Nice review again. I'm glad you included the blade thickness. I was wondering till the pic if the blade was any thicker as it looked like it from the previous pics. I'm not sure I like that. I like the thin blade of the Opinel for food preparations while camping or barbecues. 

[dks]

The blade is a bit thicker but it is still thinner, by a lot, compared to most similar "Tactical" offerings out there.

To me, with that hole in the blade it looks a bit like a cheese knife  , which makes sense as:
a. It is French
b. It is not one hand opening, as the hole goes deep in the body when closed.
c. It does not have a backspring, so you can easily pinch the blade open; the hole is not designed for you to use your nail. (not a nail nick or spyderco hole, designed as a tool)

If only it had a corkscrew...

[Grathr]

I haven't been able to find any of theese on ebay. Where can I get one that ships internationaly, and how much does one cost?
I'm thinking of getting one for my wife.
Do they come in a plain blade version?

[Sparky415]

Nice review 




...........

[Grathr]

 great review by the way! 

[dks]

Thanks, Gents.

I bought it from http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280977562318,

$33.90, total cost. None left now.

It is also, I think, available from some sellers on amazon.uk but the total cost was higher.

[Mike, Lord of the Spammers!]

Great review there mate

I'm hoping they do a No6 version so I'll be able to legally edc one

[Grathr]

Thanks, Gents.

I bought it from http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=280977562318,

$33.90, total cost. None left now.

It is also, I think, available from some sellers on amazon.uk but the total cost was higher.

Thanks
Wich search phrase did you use? I havent found a single amazon seller that has been willing to ship me a knife or camping tool. Only books and dvds.

[dks]

I do not remember which Amazon.uk shop it was. Maybe it was Amazon.uk itself.

there are some here:
http://www.amazon.co.uk/Opinel-Outdoor-Mountian-Utility-Emergancy/dp/B007RF63QG/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1350124029&sr=8-1

I have no idea if the seller will ship to you.

Talk to some people in the UK, where they are available, like Neil, Mike etc. They sell stuff so maybe they can sort you out.

Are you sure your local dealer does not have them?

[MultiMat]

thanks for the review mate  .

Fingers crossed Opinel brings out some more plastic handled models 

[Gareth]

Nice review mate.   I think I will wait and see if they will come up with a plain edged version.

[Grathr]

Are you sure your local dealer does not have them?

Thanks

I have never seen a opinel knife in a store in Norway.

[Zed]

Very good review mate  i will have to try one one day .

[dks]

not, really a review; I did not go chopping tress and getting lost in the forest, yet.   

[AimlessWanderer]

Thanks for the insight dks  That handle seems a lot better than I originally thought. I'm still not enamoured by the blade though. I have no need for a shackle key, and I'd prefer a plain edge blade too.

[Syph007]

Nice review mate.   I think I will wait and see if they will come up with a plain edged version.

+1 on the plain edge.   

[Top-Gear-24]

Nice review mate.   I think I will wait and see if they will come up with a plain edged version.

+1 on the plain edge.   

Same here, the only reason why I haven't bought one yet  .

[kkokkolis]

The shackle key opener makes it easy to open the blade one handed. You have to pinch a bit with index and thump and then you continue with thump only. It is very easy once you learn how to do it.
The knife feels very strong for it's weight. I am very happy with mine. I bought it for 22 euros from here, the oficial Greek and Cypriot retailer: http://www.opinel.gr/no.08-outdoor-el.html