No9 Stainless Steel Knife - Beechwood Handle

About this item

This essential tool is unchanged since 1890 and is a must have for outdoorsmen and handymen alike
The Stainless Virobloc safety ring has two sections, one fixed and one sliding for secure locking
Opinel's stainless steel blades are made of Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel
Handle is made from hard, durable Beechwood from France
Opinel products are guaranteed under normal use and exchanged in case of manufacturing defects

• Stephen H. Poor

  I like the Opinels, especially with stainless blades, but this one is my favorite by far.The No. 8 knife is a very useful size, but the ones I've had have been hard to open, and the locking rings are hard to turn. It takes strong fingers and fingernails, it takes time, and it leaves my fingertips feeling raw. In short, it's a pain.For whatever reason, the No. 9's I've had have been MUCH easier to open, close, lock, and unlock. They are only slightly larger than the No. 8, and they are still a very useful size-- not too big.Like all the Opinels, they lock solidly in the open or closed position. They are lightweight. They take a fierce edge and they cut beautifully. The handles are comfortable and I find the knives good-looking too. For the price, they are one of the best bargains in the world.I have found that all my Opinels have needed some sharpening when new. No big deal. I draw them across a diamond hone. In a few minutes, I have an excellent edge. These knives have a convex blade profile, and for best performance really should be drawn across the hone, rather than having the edge pushed across it. No doubt, it is the convex grind that helps give the Opinels their great cutting ability.For use in the great outdoors, or indeed anywhere else, a lanyard is extremely useful. Most modern folders have pocket clips that keep the knife secured but accessible. The Opinel has none. I have found that the wooden handle is easy enough to drill through, and once you have a hole, a short length of nylon cord makes a dandy lanyard loop. Tying the knife to your person keeps it from getting lost when you are in the woods, on a boat, on the farm, or wherever, and attaching a cheap carabiner from your local dollar store (or Amazon) lets you clip the knife to a belt loop to keep it secured but accessible, just like with a modern tactical folder.One-handed opening is easy, despite the lack of a thumb stud or thumb hole. Unlock the blade by turning the locking ring, get your fingertips on either side of the blade, and lever the end of the handle against your body (say, the side of your leg). Pull on the blade and the whole thing will hinge open. Once it is about half open, you can shift your grip to get more fingertips on the blade, and get a better angle to lever it completely open. When it is open, shift your grip to hold the handle, and then turn the ring to lock the blade.Closing it one-handed is even quicker and simpler, as you only need unlock, press the back of the blade against your body to close it, and then lock again (optional).Obviously, this procedure is not as convenient (or safe!) as using a modern tactical folder, but it does work, and with the No. 9, it works quite well. Using two hands to open the knife is recommended, but if you only have one hand free and you need your knife NOW, it will work.For those who've read my other reviews, you know that I will generally withhold one star in my rating if the product is not made in the USA. I am making a rare exception. This knife performs so well, and is such a wonderful value, that I am giving it my highest recommendation, in spite of the fact that it is made in France. I hope the French are proud of this knife. Despite their reputation for wonderful cheese, wine, literature, etc., this knife may be the best product they have ever exported.

• Brandon Adams

  Ever since I was a young guy, I've carried practical pocketknives on a daily basis. I prefer flat, small knives that don't take up a lot of pocket space, and that have one or two blades at most. I kept hearing good things about these French knives, but they always looked too big for my taste, so I never got one. When I lost my longtime carry knife, I came across this No.8 Opinel, and despite the width increase from my usual carried knives, I decided to give this one a try - for under $20, it's a no-brainer.When I received my knife, I was impressed with the quality and look of it, and it fit in my pocket pretty well too. It wasn't the sharpest knife I've ever owned, but out of the box it was plenty sharp, and after giving it a good cleaning and some lubricant, it opens/closes and the lock engages and disengages quite easily.After about a week of carrying this, I decided that I wanted to get a small belt sheath to carry this in. Here's the only area of disappointment for me with this knife - it's difficult to find a sheath that fits these for less than 2-3 times what the knife itself cost. I eventually found a handcrafted sheath on eBay, but it was $18, so roughly the cost of my knife, but it fit quite well.So to summarize - the knife is great. It's snazzy looking, people always ask me where I got it, where it's from, etc. And it's so much more polished and refined than those silly looking tactical knives that are out there. Sure, it's not for everyone - from what I hear, you shouldn't get the handle wet, or it could swell up. And the carbon steel requires a measure of care and maintenance that normal stainless knives dont, but then again, if that bothers you, buy a stainless steel knife. For the price point and practical usability, this Opinel can't be beat. Just be advised - if you carry your knife in a sheath, there aren't a ton of low cost options out there, so keep that in mind. Otherwise, buy one. Or 3-4. they're cheap, durable and a neat conversation piece.

• Ahmad Babaa

  After 2.5 years of use, I am coming to leave a review for this incredibly durable knife.Upon the recommendation of a trusted friend, I decided to invest in this Stainless Steel Pocket Knife, Immediately, the craftsmanship stood out. The beechwood handle married seamlessly with the stainless steel blade, reflecting a harmonious blend of tradition and utility.Having used it extensively for various outdoor escapades, its enduring sharpness and resilience left a mark on me. Whether it was setting up camp or managing minor repairs, the knife's precision and reliability never faltered. Notably, the knife's design not only speaks to aesthetic appeal but also a commitment to enduring quality, as evident from the consistent quality checks the brand ensures at every stage of its manufacturing process.Looking back at my purchase, I can affirmatively say that the Opinel was worth every penny. It's not just a mere tool, but a symbol of lasting legacy, impeccable quality, and superior functionality. A purchase I've never regretted and one that has seamlessly integrated into my outdoor routines.

• Kris G

  Great quality and craftsmanship for a $17 knife. Blade is thin and works great for de boning waterfowl. Highly recommend

• M. Ahmad

  The price is great and it was sharp but little bit of the tip portion has no edge. The manufacturer told me that it is normal. The lock ring is kind of lose in my knife or maybe it is also normal but be careful because the way the lock angle is cut it can rotate and then the blade move up and down. Overall it is a unique and respectable product and I like it. The customer service is great and the good thing is that it is manufactured in the home country and they have good warranty as well. Only the lock ring needs to be modified with a groove so the blade is secure properly but still it is a good knife and very light weight.

• Morgan C. Valley

  I just love this pre-turn-of-the-century design. So old-timey! Most Americans are not particularly familiar (I certainly wasn't) with French-made Opinel knives which, as it turns out, were historically considered a "penny knife" or peasant's pocket knife. Inexpensive, dutiful, durable, practical, ingenious by design. The blades are fairly thin and the Virobloc blade-locking ring (patented in 1955) is absolutely brilliant in its simplicity and effectiveness. No high-tech, futuristic, open-assist, pocket clipping, combo straight/serrated-edge, seat belt-cutting notch, "tactical" blade here ... just a piece of beautiful history that anyone can afford, or afford to give as a gift to someone who will appreciate such nostalgic, yet practical things.One important note, a lot of Opinel owners who are blade-savvy seem to prefer the carbon steel version of these knives because they hold a better edge, and they're even less expensive, but the trade-off is that carbon will rust and thus requires more vigilance and regular maintenance. (A light oiling)For a knife design that hasn't changed much since the late 1800's, it turns out there are more than a few folks who collect and love Opinels. This is my first Opinel knife, a ubiquitous No. 8 (a roughly 8 centimeter -- meaning three and a quarter inch blade and the most popular size) ... and now that I have this one, it's pretty clear I have to have more. I may become one of those ... ugh ... collectors!UPDATE NOTES: I've learned a lot about Opinel History, Opinel lovers and Opinel knife modifications in the past few days, thanks to so much information on the Net ... I love my knife even more! The standard beech wood handle is quite light-colored when it arrives, but it will darken with time as the finish wears and it takes in more oil from handling it. I do have a tip or two of my own, though.Many people claim that the knife is very stiff and hard to open at first, which was true of mine as well. I realized that it's very humid this time of year, and the wood handle was swollen from the moisture. So, I rubbed it down (the wood) with a good coat of olive oil (any natural, non-petroleum oil will do) and put it in the oven for ninety at 350 degrees. WOW ... after cool enough to manage, that totally made the action of it smooth and easy to open/close, and the oil really baked in/on and left the wood with a wonderful luster, while also darkening it some. There would be no problem with repeating this process to continue "aging" the wood. (See the customer photos I uploaded.)Obviously, the wood contracted from the dry heat, which made it easier to open. This strategy should work whenever your knife becomes swollen with moisture, the wood expanding, making it difficult to open and close.Well, maybe more to come as I discover more about how much I love my No. 8. Best wishes!MORE UPDATES:It should be noted that carbon steel will take a higher temperature in the oven than stainless steel will with regard to taking the temper out of the blade. I'd advise baking stainless at a slightly lower temperature, say ... 275-300 degrees rather than my original setting of 350 to be safe ... although it DID NOT change the temper in the steel of my #8 stainless. Lately though, I've been baking at lower temps (175) for longer periods ... loosens a stiff knife no nobody's business.I have, in fact, purchased more Opinels since this original review. (Big surprise.) My #10 carbon was really stiff and baking did not help, so I disassembled it and took a needle file and some sandpaper to the handle. Disassembly was easy. You can Youtube it!

• Ann

  I'm not a knife enthusiast and was looking for a small, nice-looking (read: non-scary, non-"tactical") pocket knife. My search will be ending with the Opinel No 6. This is a wonderful product at a wonderful price!I'm a woman and the size of the No 6 is very good. I would actually prefer a little smaller, but the smaller sizes don't come with a locking ring. The knife is light but sturdy and well-made, and if the stiffness of the opening mechanism isn't to your satisfaction, a little sandpaper to the wood of the folding hinge area can fix it. The blade is a good shape to be sharpened easily on a stone and is a little under 3 inches, so the right size to be carried legally in most places.When I first received it, the locking ring made a tiny grating noise when opening or closing because it uses the friction of the steel outer ring on the rivet that holds the knife together, but after a while the rivet smooths out and now the locking motion is soundless. The lock feels safe and it's easy to use.I use it for making sandwiches on the go sometimes, so I put down one coat of polyurethane on the handle and rubbed it down with petroleum jelly, which makes it water-resistant enough to rinse off in the sink.The one thing I do not love about this is the roundness of the handle. It's a little fat for carrying in a pocket, especially if you don't have large pockets. But there's a long tradition of "customizing" Opinels because their simple, classic build is so easy to work with, so I just used some sandpaper and elbow grease and sanded down the handle into a shorter, flatter shape I like better, and I couldn't be happier with it.

• Landrew Landau

  Well balanced. Top quality stainless steel blade. Locks open and locks closed. Very simple and durable. You can feel the pride in workmanship!

• kemckins

  I’m sure this is great for food prep or other camping tasks considering it’s surprisingly lightweight and the blade is slim, but I purchased it as a gift for my dad as an everyday carry. I liked the look of it, and thought he would too, but the No. 8 is much larger/bulkier than I pictured. It also doesn’t feel quite as sturdy as I would’ve liked. Definitely would NOT recommend the No. 8 if you’re looking for an everyday knife. It’s a bit too large imo. The smaller sizes would probably work just fine, but I don’t have enough time to replace the order before his birthday. Better luck next time.

• J B

  Still dependable well made knives. Old patterns are still the best sellers. Speaking of sellers. I'd love to have the smaller knives equipped with locks like the larger ones. Other than that I have no complaints.