Opinel No°6 Knife: Our Verdict
Opinel No°6 Knife Star Rating
Pros
- Affordable
- Simplistic
- Lightweight
Cons
- Limited use in the wilderness beyond cooking
Technical Details
Main Materials
Beech handle and Sandvik 12C27 Stainless Steel blade
Weight
50g
Dimensions
1.6cm x 3.4cm x 8.5cm
Where to buy
The link below will take you to Amazon if you would like to purchase the Opinel No°6 Knife. Purchasing through the link wont cost you any extra, but will mean I may earn comission which will help me support the blog.
Opinel No°6 Knife: First Impressions
I bought the Opinel No°6 Knife after seeing it reviewed on a couple of youtube channels and was trying to put together my own cook kit. Opinel is a French company that has been making knives since the 1800s and you don’t get to stick around for that long without learning a thing or two along the way.
My first impression of this Opinel No°6 Knife is that it looks beautiful, the handle is made of a varnished beechwood that looks like it will last for years if cared for correctly. In my hand it feels as light as a feather, weighing only 50g. It doesn’t have the tactical or survivalist feel that many outdoor knives seem to have nowadays. Instead, Opinel has opted for simplicity, designing a knife that not only does what it needs to do really well but looks good doing it too. The blade feels sharp the the touch and cuts food with ease. I would happily take the Opinel No°6 Knife with me on any trip, as it makes meal prep a breeze. Its comfortable in the hand and it’s so lightweight adding next to nothing to your packweight.
My only complaint with the is that the length can be a little limiting. Its perfecly suitable if you are using it whilst camping for food prep there, but if you are living the Vanlife then potentially you may want something a bit bigger as it’s likely youll be cooking with more and bigger ingrediants.
The Viroblock
The locking function on the Opinel No°6 Knife is simple but impressive, Opinel calls this system its Virobloc double safety ring, and it consists of a shiny metal ring that is easy to rotate. Just remember to keep it working smoothly by giving it the occasional oil. Not that there is any risk of this knife opening of its own accord. To open it just requires a nice, gentle pulling motion, there’s a small notch to provide grip when opening the blade.
Opinel No°6 Knife: Final Thoughts
In the end, I like the Opinel No°6 Knife. It’s really suited for those who don’t want a tactical multitool, but instead, want something lightweight and simplistic. It isn’t filled with tonnes of features, but it doesn’t need to be. The Opinel No°6 is a knife that does what it was designed to do brilliantly and look stylish too. I would be just as happy to use this knife when camping as I would be travelling in a van across europe. It combines form and function at a reasonable price point.
