Where can you get a free trip to the French countryside with $17, an apple, and a hunk of cheese? Nowhere but Opinel.
The Opinel #8 knife is a field tool of the most sophisticated variety. It’s sturdy, functional, and stylish. The most basic model has a beechwood handle and a stainless steel blade that is ergonomically shaped. It folds and can be easily slipped into a pocket or bag. It invites its owner to go on a picnic.
Whether sitting on a rock, on a blanket, or at a cabin table, this knife will transport you to Alpine France. For free. It is perfect for the peaceful act of slicing an apple, and then shaving a piece of cheese for a contemplative snack.
The Opinel #8 is the best gift idea knife. It is wicked cheap for what you get, and the recipient will recognize the thought that went into the gift, the lack of opulence, and will also get a dose of romanticism. Who wouldn’t love to receive a beautiful folding knife and a bottle of wine?
Heirloom Opinel
I inherited my first Opinel from my grandfather. I’m not sure how old it is—it certainly isn’t original to 1890—but it sure has cut some apples. It is the carbon steel variety, which gets sharper and holds an edge better than the stainless steel. However, if you don’t like taking the extra care of being careful to dry, occasionally polish, and oil your blades, it makes sense to stick to the stainless.
I subjected my own Opinel to the Point to Point Test and you can see the results here. Suffice it to say that an Opinel provides both a faithful companion a boost to personal style. And if you give one to someone else, you’ll be sure to be remembered.
Specialty Models
A beautiful folding knife with a beech handle is too simple for that quirky camping uncle or college grad, you say? Opinel has a best gift idea knife for them as well. Try a No.8 with a laminated birch handle, or one designed as an outdoor knife with partially serrated blade and polymer handle. There is even something for the most specialized naturalists and gastronomes. For mycologists and mushroom hunters, you can select the No. 8 Mushroom Knife, complete with a boars hair brush at the end of the handle. There is even something for malacologists and shellfish lovers in the No. 9 Oyster Knife.
Ultimately, you can find a great gift Opinel for anyone, and these knives will perform on even the most extreme picnics.
Yours gift might even become an heirloom. Mine did.
Point to Point Ratings (3-point scale):
Quality: 3.0
Value: 3.0 +
Function: 3.0
Style: 3.0 +
