OPINELNo.06 Carbon Steel Folding Pocket Knife with Beechwood Handle

Obviously some people (myself included) love this knife party for its old-fashioned design. But let's face it: These knives would never be as popular as they are if it weren't for the price. Modern features, such as automatic blade locking, blades that open with a positive "snap," etc., make this knife's design seem decidedly outdated in comparison.However, those modern added features come at a cost. If you're after a quality, VERY sharp blade for low cost, this is simply the best deal you'll get (or at least the best I could find).Here's what I love about the knife:* The blade is extremely sharp. It wouldn't shave hair off my arm like my Mora Companion did out of the box, but somehow it actually seems sharper when it comes to actually cutting. It sliced a tomato with just the slightest (less than a 1/16th of an inch) sawing motion to cut the skin. Pruning small branches is like cutting butter. It sharpened a stick with unbelievable ease and smoothness. The blade feels and acts thinner than it actually is (meaning it is stronger than it looks), probably because the entire width of the blade is beveled at apparently the same angle, from the spine right down to the edge.* The whole knife is very lightweight and sleek in the pocket. I don't even know it's there.* The locking mechanism works better and easier than I expected from the photos. It locks the blade both open and closed, and although it has to be done manually, it's easy to twist the collar. It holds the blade open or closed plenty effectively for anything such a knife ought to be used for.* The look and feel is cool. The wood handle has a nice feel and is comfortable to use. The blade is nicely machined and looks well-finished.* Did I mention it's SHARP?With all that said, there are some things I find less appealing:* The all-wood handle makes me hesitant to use the knife for some tougher things that I assume the blade could handle. Maybe it's just me, but I don't have enough confidence in how the blade attaches to the handle to use it for mcuh more than "normal" slicing tasks.* The blade has absolutely no "snap" to it when opening or closing - not even equivalent to an old penknife. It's just a blade on a swivel, and therefore lacks any tactile positivity when opening or closing the knife.* Although the locking mechanism surprised me at its effectiveness, it's only effective if you remember to do it. Although it will doubtlessly become habit with time, I still prefer an automatic lock.It should go without saying that those nitpicks completely disappear when one considers the cost of this knife. Sure, I could (and hopefully someday will) get a $45 Buck pocketknife that will have the modern features I like with a quality blade. But until then, I'm confident that this knife will excel at anything a non-tactical pocketknife should ever be asked to do.Bottom line: If you're after a sharp, quality blade on a budget, this is your buy.

These knives are awesome. Not designed to be cool, but to be functional. This design is probably the best general function knife that's ever existed, or ever will. I have many of these, and lost many. They're inexpensive, high quality, easily maintained, I've honed far beyond razor sharp. They're even good for precision whittling, which demands extremely sharp knives. The only downside, if you can even consider it such, is they're not "sexy". Nothing tactical, or high tech. Just amazing design from before anyone was thinking about marketing. The design is well over 100 years old, and still going with very little change. They're even on the list of best engineered products in history, from the queen. Given it's a French knife, and the Queen was English, that's a very big deal.Research prices though. Amazon sellers like to price them WAY above what they're supposed to be. Sometimes triple. Make good choices.

For anyone seeking a reliable, lightweight, and effortlessly charming pocket knife, the Opinel No. 6 is an absolute winner. This unassuming little knife has become an indispensable part of my daily carry, and for good reason.Firstly, the simplicity of its design is its greatest strength. The classic beechwood handle, warm and comfortable in the hand, paired with the high-carbon steel blade, creates a tool that feels both timeless and practical. The iconic Virobloc locking ring, a testament to Opinel's ingenious design, provides a secure and reliable lock, ensuring safety during use.The blade itself, while slender, is remarkably sharp and holds an edge beautifully. Whether I'm opening packages, slicing fruit, or performing delicate tasks, the No. 6 handles it all with surprising precision. The carbon steel version, while requiring a bit more care to prevent rust, offers a superior cutting experience.The compact size makes it incredibly easy to carry. It slips effortlessly into a pocket or bag, and its lightweight nature means you'll hardly notice it's there until you need it.Beyond its functionality, there's a certain rustic elegance to the Opinel No. 6. It's a knife that evokes a sense of tradition and craftsmanship, a refreshing departure from the overly tactical designs that dominate the market.In short, the Opinel No. 6 is a testament to the power of simplicity. It's a reliable, affordable, and beautifully designed pocket knife that exceeds expectations. If you're looking for a dependable everyday carry, look no further.

This is a really well made and light weight knife. Sharp factory edge. Love carrying it.

This thing (size 12) is a beast of a knife. Super sharp. Understand it’s rough cut so it feels “old style” out of the box (envelope). The wood is lighter than I expected but still sturdy. Since the handle is just wood with no metal full length, durability is less than a buck knife and such. The price point makes this fine.I decided to make a couple modifications.1) Ground down and polished the spine of the blade to smooth it out. When the knife is closed, there’s a sharp edge on one side of the spine. Not dangerous but not smooth either.2) Forced a dark patina by wrapping the blade in a vinegar soaked paper towel for 3 hours (after degreasing with simple green and isopropyl alcohol).3) Cleaned with simple green and coated with food grade mineral oil that soaked in for an hour before wiping clean .I’m thinking I may eventually oil the handle to add to the vintage look and feel.Overall I’m very satisfied.

This is a beautiful knife with heritage to boot. The carbon blade takes a little extra care but the edge is amazing. Easy to sharpen too. In my youth I always remember seeing one like this in many a tackle box. A great piece of utility.