The Opinel story starts in 1890 in the Savoie region of the French Alps. That year, 18 year old Joseph Opinel was working in his family’s toolmaking workshop near Albiez-le-Vieux. Against his father’s wishes, he spent his spare time designing a simple wooden handled pocket knife that could be made with modern machinery and sold at a price anyone could afford. That knife was the Opinel No.08, and the basic design has barely changed since.

In 1909, Joseph chose the Crowned Hand as the company’s emblem, following a French tradition dating back to 1565 that required master cutlers to mark their work. The hand comes from the coat of arms of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, the town nearest the Opinel family’s home village, and the crown honors Savoie’s history as a duchy. Every Opinel blade has carried the Crowned Hand ever since.

In 1955, Joseph’s son Marcel Opinel invented the Virobloc safety ring, a rotating collar that locks the blade open. In 2000 it was updated to lock the blade closed as well. Over the years the Opinel has earned a reputation as a design classic. In 1989 the name “Opinel” entered the French Larousse dictionary as a word for a wooden handled folding knife. The company is still run by the Opinel family and still makes its knives in Chambéry, France.

The Short & Sweet:

1. Over 130 Years of French Tradition: Opinel has made the same simple, affordable pocket knife in the French Alps since 1890. It is one of the most recognized knife designs in the world.
2. Virobloc Safety Ring: Sizes No.06 through No.12 have the Virobloc ring, which locks the blade open during use and closed for carry. Sizes No.02 through No.05 do not lock and work as simple friction folders.
3. Your Choice of Steel: Stainless models use Sandvik 12C27 Modified stainless steel, which resists rust and needs little care. Carbon models use XC90 carbon steel, which takes a very keen edge and is easy to sharpen but will darken and rust if not kept dry and oiled.
4. Classic Beech Handle: Each knife has the traditional varnished beechwood handle, light in the hand and comfortable for everyday use.
5. A Size for Every Job: The lineup runs from the tiny No.02 keyring knife up to the large No.12, so there is a size for key chains, pockets, packs, kitchens, and camp.
6. Manufactured by Opinel SAS: Family owned, with every knife made in France.

We have 12 Opinel options available with blades 1.36" to 4.82":

1. No.02 Folding Knife 1.36"

3.25" overall. 1.89" closed. 1.36" blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

2. No.02 Keyring Folding Knife 1.36"

3.25" overall. 1.89" closed. 1.36" stainless steel blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Attached metal key ring.

3. No.03 Folding Knife 1.68"

3.88" overall. 2.2" closed. 1.68" blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

4. No.04 Folding Knife 2"

4.68" overall. 2.68" closed. 2" blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

5. No.04 Keyring Folding Knife 2"

4.68" overall. 2.68" closed. 2" stainless steel blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Attached metal key ring.

6. No.05 Folding Knife 2.36"

5.5" overall. 3.14" closed. 2.36" blade. Beechwood handle. No locking ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

7. No.06 Folding Knife 2.87"

6.5" overall. 3.63" closed. 2.87" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. The smallest Opinel with a locking blade. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

8. No.07 Folding Knife 3.07"

7" overall. 3.93" closed. 3.07" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

9. No.08 Folding Knife 3.28"

7.59" overall. 4.31" closed. 3.28" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. The original 1890 design and Opinel’s most popular size. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

10. No.09 Folding Knife 3.51"

8.18" overall. 4.67" closed. 3.51" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

11. No.10 Folding Knife 3.92"

9" overall. 5.08" closed. 3.92" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

12. No.12 Folding Knife 4.82"

11.04" overall. 6.22" closed. 4.82" blade. Beechwood handle. Virobloc safety ring. The largest knife in this lineup, better suited to a pack, kitchen, or camp kit than a pocket. Available in stainless or carbon steel.

- MADE IN FRANCE

- Carbon steel models must be wiped dry and oiled after use to prevent rust. A dark patina is normal and helps protect the blade.

- Keep beechwood handles out of water and the dishwasher. Wood that gets soaked can swell and make the blade hard to open.