Opinel and Peasant knife owners club

[LoopCutter]

I know wonder if the stretchy wrap labs use after blood draws would work, as it sticks to itself, not so much to your skin. So no residue on the handle, plus comes in many colors.

I had used athletic trainers tape for this reason, less residue.   Or, even the old style cloth electrical type tape I would use instead of band aides on the farm before the fancy 3M stuff was made.

[nate j]

Seems like a couple tiny rare earth magnets would require more effort upfront than the tape, but be a more permanent solution and more convenient to actually use the bits.

[LoopCutter]

I must say Nate, that is a very good idea!

I however would be very concerned that the magnets could disrupt the natural balance of such a precision tool🤪

[IMR4198]

About 2 3/4 inches of tape is about the maximum length of tape unless you go down the length of the handle.  Naturally you could take several turns of tape around the handle, but then you couldn't access the blade.  I like the idea of having a little tape on hand.  If the bits fall out, I think I will tape them .  Best wishes.  G
 

[nate j]

I must say Nate, that is a very good idea!

I however would be very concerned that the magnets could disrupt the natural balance of such a precision tool🤪

[IMR4198]

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    The peasants demanded to be heard from.  So, I took a Svord photo.  Seems like there was a lot of talk about these things a few years ago, then the interest sort-of faded.  People bought one.  Carried it a time or two.  Found out that it takes up quite a bit of pocket space.  Laid it aside.  People got interested in something else. 
Best wishes.  G
 

[nate j]

Found out that it takes up quite a bit of pocket space.

Spot on.

I never bought one, because the design never made sense to me.  Closed, it is nearly as long as a comparably sized fixed blade.

[LoopCutter]

Gary- is that considered a FRICTION folder?

[IMR4198]

    Yes, it is a friction folder.  The long tang keeps the blade from folding when you are holding it.  Also it makes for one hand opening. 
    Bryan Baker is the knife maker.  I saw on his latest internet catalog deal that he no longer lists the carbon steel/polypropylene handle models.  There is now a 12C27 stainless steel Peasant with mahogany handles.  Medium sized ones and big ones.  Costs about 50% more and is currently out of stock.  Also a damascus model that is more expensive. 
    I don't know that the polypropylene colorful models are not being produced.  Maybe he just left them out, or makes them on demand.  The stainless steel model is good looking.
Best wishes.  G
 

[IMR4198]

  [ You are not allowed to view this attachment ]      Supposedly a picture is worth a thousand verbs.  How about a couple of photos comparing a Svord Peasant knife with an Opinel?  The Opinel carries effortlessly.  The blue Opi is a No. 08.  Blade is in the 3 1/4 inch neighborhood and so is the Svord.  Not exact measurements because the Svord doesn't really have a cutting edge all the way to the handle.  Close enough for comparison.  The Svord is not so easy to carry.  It would fit in the back pocket of a pair of jeans okay, or in a bigger coat pocket.  Front pocket carry?  Not so much.  I don't like carrying a folder in a back pocket. 
     Blades on both are quite thin.  Svord blade blank is a little thicker.  Not much.  Both cut well.  Prices are similar.  The Svord is easy to open with one hand.  The Opinel, not so much.  The closed photo of the two knives demonstrates why the Opinel gets pocket time and the Svord stays home.  Best wishes.  Gary
 
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[IMR4198]

    Bryan Baker has two different sites for his knives.  One has the polypropylene folders and many others.  The other is his custom site evidently.  It has some different offerings.  There are some peasant folders on the custom site.  One interesting type is the 'Rasta'.  These are wood handled 2.5 inch nominal Mini Peasant folders.  Dyed wood handles.  Not very expensive, but attractive.  I have no idea why he puts his goods on two different sites.  Just having another tab on one site would seem to be more efficient.  I don't know when these pages are updated.  If ever.  The stainless blade Peasant with wood handles is on the custom site.  Best wishes.  G
 

[IMR4198]

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    It got just warm enough to take the little skiff of snow away.  I went for a walk with Opi.  Saw some smallish bobcat tracks.  I never got around to putting a strip of tape over the removable bits.  I figure if one bit falls off, it will likely be in my pocket.  I have a skidillion of other bits anyway.  Best wishes.  G
 

[Barry Rowland]

I love that color Gary! 

[LoopCutter]

I agree, the yellow is nice!  I have a yellow too!

But, the grey is no slouch either.

What is strange I was on the Opinel
USA site and then looked on AMAZON.
Only difference is color, but different prices.

[Barry Rowland]

That is strange 

[nate j]

I’m going to assume you meant different prices from the same vendor, not different prices from different vendors.

For obvious reasons, the exact functioning of the big river site’s pricing algorithms is a closely guarded secret.  However, I believe popularity factors in somehow, as I have seen on multiple occasions that same item in different colors is priced differently.  On the negative side, if you’re set on a certain color, it can be annoying to pay more to get the color you want.  On the positive side, if you aren’t picky about the color, you can sometimes get a deal on one of the less popular colors.

[LoopCutter]

My thought as well. Price adjusted to balance inventory.

[IMR4198]

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 Happy beef stew Thursday.  Or something.  I would have put an onion in the pot, but I ran out.  The steam made the blade on the Opi cloud up with condensation.  Yummers.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

[Barry Rowland]

Yummy!

[nate j]

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 Happy beef stew Thursday.  Or something.  I would have put an onion in the pot, but I ran out.  The steam made the blade on the Opi cloud up with condensation.  Yummers.  Best wishes.  Gary
 

If beef stew Thursday isn’t a thing, I feel like it should be.
 

[IMR4198]

   I didn't settle for just that little bit.  Plus I had to have some gravy to sop up with bread.  Mmmm.  Best wishes.  G
 

[AzteCypher]

Haven't had good stew in a while.  Might ask the wife to make one.  Mom used to make a real good one with venison.

[IMR4198]

   I didn't cut up the meat with the Opinel.  I gave my Old Hickory boning knife a touch-up with the Old Timer Honesteel first. My neighbor gave me the Old Hickory and an ancient Forgecraft that belonged to his mother.  They helped clear out her stuff when she passed and mentioned that he knew I would want them.  Was he ever right. 
Best wishes,
Gary

[IMR4198]

Used the Opi to cut some vines and limbs that came down too low to drive my Cub under. Did an adequate job and carries like a feather. Best wishes. G
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[IMR4198]

    I did get some more yard work done.  With the same No. 08 Opinel in my pocket.  It also went on a short trip to WallyWorld.  Their security cameras saw me coming and they printed out a probable activities report for my arrival.  I skirted around the two fellows who were doing their dope deals under the same tree in the parking lot.  Just like they do every single day.  Went inside and got a shopping cart.  Only took two tries to find one that would roll. 
     Went straight for the motor oil.  The store disruption squad had already been there and set up their little joke.  Almost all the motor oil was out of stock.  Possibly 10% of the quart cans were on the shelves.  The oversized bulk containers were fully stocked, but they knew I was only after a couple of quarts.  There were only two quarts of Havoline 10-30 in the store.  On the very lowest floor level rack.  Pushed clear to the back.  I hunkered down as low as my knees would go and fished out one.  Took a rest and tried for the last one.  Got the wrong one.  Tried again.  Finally got the last one.  Checked to see if the bottles were full and didn't have some sort of counterfeit labels.  Pass
      Headed for the potato chips.  Found the cheap Great Value kind I like.  Cheddar and Sour Cream.  On clearance for several months now at $1.50 a bag.  There were two bags on the very lowest floor level rack.  Pushed clear to the back.  You see where this is going.  I couldn't reach them at all.  Hmmm?  MTO member?  Check.  Tool user?  Check again.  Available tools?  Opinel.  I pulled open the Opi and hooked a bag with the tip of the knife and flipped it out in the floor.  Success.  I fished out both bags.  No sense in coming back any time soon. 
      First time I ever used an Opinel for a cat's paw.  The shelves in this store are also so high that nobody can reach the top items.  I watched a 15 year old boy (estimated age) try to get an item from the upper shelves for his mom.  He did a big basketball jump, snatched at the bag, caught his foot on a lower shelf, and landed on the small of his back.  15 year olds sometimes get up from that sort of fall.  He did.  Someone like me or his mom would have had to wait for paramedics.  Maybe he needed an Opinel.  I would suggest one of their long handled barbecue forks.  Best wishes.  G
 

[nate j]

First time I ever used an Opinel for a cat's paw.  The shelves in this store are also so high that nobody can reach the top items…Maybe he needed an Opinel.  I would suggest one of their long handled barbecue forks.

Perhaps this is where the No. 13 would really shine?
 

[IMR4198]

   I have one of these gripper grabbers that I bought for my Dad.  He wouldn't use it.  I use it to pick up trash along the roadside and to keep from bending over to pick up small debris that blows down around the house.  It makes a difference at the end of the day by not bending over flumpteen dozen times. 
   I thought about carrying this thing into WallyWorld, but never have.  It is about 30 inches long, maybe.  I could start doing that.  Best wishes.  G
 

[IMR4198]

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   With the upcoming Giants of June annual big blade challenge coming up, the idea struck me that maybe I could home fabricate a big blade Opinel.  This is a classified photo of the prototype.  Mum's the word.  A MacGyver tool is holding the two modules together, but might be a permanent (and very useful) part of the final unit.  I'm thinking stupor glue for now.  Folding this thing could be problematic.  It would be easy to cut the groove in the handle to let the longer blade close, but part of it would poke out the end.  Might need a handle extension.  I have a metal mop handle which could make an attractive and functional handle booster. 
Best wishes.  G
 

PS  I just noticed today that the No.08 and No.09 beechwood handle Opinels are on Azamon for $16 and change.  Carbon or stainless.  Great functional knives.  Dirt cheap.  Best wishes.  G

[LoopCutter]

I experienced the same shelf stock trend you reported.

Reaching high is not an issue for my 6’3” frame and long arms and 2CL hands.
But those low shelves, are definitely a real pain.

I now am prepared, I tuck a locking tape measure in my coat pocket.   Helps with many things, but not cans or jars unless I can pull them on their side.   Enlisting assistance from a toddler running wild also works. It becomes a challenge for them. Usually good if momma bear is not in the same aisle otherwise I can get the “LOOK”

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[IMR4198]

   The tape measure is a very good idea.  There have been several times that I asked a store employee working in the same area to fetch something for me.  There have been many more times that I have reached down higher items for people in the store.  There are often several of the ride-on scooters in use here, and when a customer is sitting on them their reach is almost non-existent.  Some of the customers on them can stand up and some can't.  I should state that the average age of people in my locale is about 60. 
   The main reason I don't take the long grabber with me is that I don't want store personnel wondering whether it is something that I brought with me or something I forgot to pay for at the checkout.  This particular W-Mart store was built about 2013 and renovated completely last year.  The old W-Mart store it replaced didn't have these sorts of shelf issues.   
   I did notice that the price of W-Mart counterfeit Pop Tarts had a price increase.  Still no pennies at the register.  They round things off.  Self-checkers are still in use (used one yesterday).  There are more people watching the self-checker lanes.  I suppose to try and minimize losses from sticky fingered shoppers.  I cruised by the knife display but didn't notice anything worth closer inspection.  I did see a BUCK 110 in a slot labeled BUCK Hunter for $90.  It was the brass and wood model without finger grooves.  Pretty.  Not $90 pretty, but pretty.
Best wishes.  G