If you know me, you know that I am Francophile in all things except slugs.
I’ve done lots of things in my short life, each one of them needing a specific cache of tools. One thing I’ve never been without – though I admit to recently losing my latest acquisition – is my French-made Opinel knife. I don’t know enough about materials science to wax eloquent about the steel, but these things take an edge. Just a few swipes across a common whetstone, and you’re good to go.
The kind folks who manufacture these gems added a locking mechanism around the middle of the last century and, because of that, it was the first knife I gave to my boy. I’m guessing that the sharp blade collapsed on some garcon’s fingers while he was stealing pears, and well, we can’t have that.
Just the one I like…carbon steel blade with a beech wood handle.
Opinels come in a flurry of sizes and uses. I’ve always used the carbon-steel blade, beech wood handled Number 08. It’s small, light, cheap, and I’ve never needed to hack a jungle trail with my pocket knife. If I do, though, I have my eye on the new garden pruner. I oddly go through Coronas as fast as I can buy them, and I’m interested to know if French innovation will cure this for 
me.
***
Go here to see the #08 on Amazon. Take care: if you buy one, you will be hooked.
For the entire shebang, go to the Opinel website here.
Enjoy!
***
Thanks so much for reading. Can you think of someone who would like the post? Please mail it to them or share it with your favorite social media using one of the icons below. And won’t you follow me? You can do so in the sidebar. Thanks again and feel free to comment!
Note that I am an Amazon Affiliate member and if you venture to the Seattle Superstore to buy anything through my site, then Jeff Bezos tosses me what’s left of an old cigarette.
