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Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: None
Best farm and garden knife I've ever used.
I had not been able to find a practical "using" knife without all the prissy frills, serrations, holes in the blade and holes in the handle to collect dirt and irritate your hands, projections to catch on things and rip clothes, too wide to cut anything without lodging, etc. etc. One of the Knife Center employees recommended giving the Opinel a try. This knife is ideal for work in the garden/farm.The sharp carbon blade is narrow enough, thin enough, and strong enough to cut through the toughest pumpkin vines and still slice off baby zucchini as easy as cutting through butter, without damaging the surrounding leaf stems. The cut is clean and smooth. You can cut heavy twine all day effortlessly, then touch up the blade to original sharpness with a quick honing.When working for an hour or more, the smooth round handle won't give you blisters, and unlike a lot of pocket knives it's very lightweight, which reduces fatigue. It also won't tear out your pocket. The knife is very solid with zero play in the blade and locking mechanism. The locking ring is simplicity itself to fix the blade in either the open or closed position, and the ability to lock the blade closed for carrying is a real bonus.Brand new, the blade is tight to open, but that's as it should be, and a little lubricant will ease it. I wouldn't change anything. I immediately got a couple of these in regular size pocket knives as gifts for relatives.
