Opinel No.08 Stainless Steel Folding Knife Review
Brand: Opinel · Category: knife-tool · Price: $20 - $22
Buy: Backpackers, cooks, and everyday carriers who want an ultra-light, low-maintenance folding slicer with a long, 3.28-inch blade and classic wooden handle. Skip: Anyone planning heavy prying, batoning, or extreme survival tasks where a thicker fixed blade is needed. The No.08 uses Sandvik 12C27 stainless — a chrome-bearing steel that stays rust-free in humid conditions and takes a very fine edge — and the Virobloc safety ring is a simple rotating lock that secures the blade open or closed.
Specs
| Weight | 1.7 oz |
|---|---|
| Lock Type | Virobloc safety ring |
| Blade Steel | Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel |
| Open Length | 7.59 inches |
| Blade Length | 3.28 inches |
| Handle Material | Beech wood (standard); variants in walnut, hornbeam, bubinga |
Strengths
- Exceptional cutting performance due to thin 2mm full flat ground blade that slices effortlessly
- Razor-sharp edge out of the box, easy to sharpen with excellent edge retention
- Reliable Virobloc locking ring prevents blade folding during use, no blade play
- Anti-corrosive stainless steel requires no special maintenance, ideal for humid environments
- Lightweight at 1.6-1.7 oz, perfect for pocket or bag carry
- Timeless, robust design made in France since 1890, favored by explorers and chefs
- High-quality Sandvik 12C27 steel provides fine cutting edge with chrome for corrosion resistance
Complaints
- Blade attracts fingerprints easily, especially on polished versions
- Thin blade may not excel in heavy prying or hard use tasks
- Locking ring can be stiff initially, requiring break-in
- Wood handle variants may vary in quality or finish consistency
- Not ideal for extreme survival tasks compared to specialized outdoor models
Handle & Fit
Standard models use beech wood handles sourced from the French Alps, and there are variants in walnut, hornbeam, and bubinga for different looks and feels; the wooden scales give a warm, traditional grip. Wood feels nicer in cold weather than synthetic handles and is part of the knife’s heritage — the No.08 design is essentially unchanged since 1890. Real-world users note some variation in finish between wood variants, so you may see minor cosmetic differences from batch to batch. Wood will swell minimally in very wet conditions but the stainless blade and Virobloc keep the knife functional with little special care.
Lock & Safety
The No.08 uses the Virobloc safety ring — a 1955-patented rotating collar that locks the blade open or closed by turning the ring over the blade spine. In practice the Virobloc eliminates blade play and keeps the blade from folding during use, which reviewers specifically noted as 'no blade play left right up or down.' Expect the ring to be stiff out of the box; many users report a break-in period where it eases up. Because it’s a simple mechanical collar, it can collect dirt or bind in extreme grime and may need occasional cleaning.
Weight & Carry
At 1.7 oz (you'll also see listings at 1.6 oz), the No.08 is barely noticeable in a pocket or pack and is comfortable for day hikes and EDC. '1.7 oz' means you can carry this as your primary small knife without feeling it on multi-day trips, unlike heavier fixed blades. The open length is 7.59 inches, so when open you have a full, stable handle-to-tip length for control. That lightness is a conscious tradeoff for its very thin blade — you gain carry comfort but lose brute-force toughness.
Care & Maintenance
Because it’s Sandvik 12C27 stainless, the blade resists rust and doesn’t require the same drying/oiling as carbon steel — a real benefit for humid or coastal use. The blade ships razor-sharp and is easy to sharpen because of the flat grind; sharpening is straightforward with basic stones or guided systems. Clean the Virobloc ring occasionally if you get sand or grit in it to avoid stiffness. If you prefer zero-smudge finishes, look for brushed or satin options rather than mirror-polished blades.
Value & Competitors
At roughly $18–$22 for the standard beech model, the No.08 is a value-packed historic design: you get Chambéry-made heritage, the Virobloc lock, and a 3.28-inch, 2 mm Sandvik blade for far less than a premium folder. Compared to a Victorinox Classic SD ($15–$20, 0.7 oz, 2.3-inch blade) the Opinel is heavier but has a longer blade and a stronger locking system and will slice better; Victorinox wins for tool variety and slightly lower weight. Versus a Morakniv Companion stainless (fixed blade, ~4.1 oz) the Opinel is lighter and folds for pocket carry but Mora wins when you need a tougher working blade for bushcraft. And against the Benchmade Mini Bugout (~$150+, ~1.5 oz) the Opinel offers similar carry weight and far better price-to-performance for slicing, while the Benchmade provides higher-end hardware and materials if you need premium toughness and modern locks.
Blade & Cutting Performance
The 3.28-inch blade is full-flat ground and just 2 mm thick, a combination that makes it one of the best slicers in production; reviewers call it a 'super slicer' for paper-thin cuts and food prep. '3.28 inches' is a practical size for kitchen tasks, pruning, and detail work without being unwieldy in the hand. The Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel has a bit more carbon for a keen edge and chrome for corrosion resistance, so it stays low-maintenance in humid conditions. Thin, flat blades excel at slicing but will not tolerate prying, batoning, or heavy-torque tasks without risk of damage.
Limitations & Failure Modes
The thin 2 mm blade profile that gives the No.08 its sliciness is also its main weakness: it will not hold up to prying, batoning, or heavy abuse — users explicitly warn against using it as a survival pry bar. Polished blades attract fingerprints easily, so expect visible smudges on mirror finishes unless you use a matte model. The Virobloc can be sticky if it traps dirt or grit, so maintenance may be needed after muddy outings. Edge rolling on abrasive tasks and quicker dulling compared with premium modern steels is reported; daily users say weekly touch-ups keep it sharp, and some report 1–2 year edge life with regular use and maintenance.