Pros: Weight, Handle Material, Blade Material, Overall Quality, Blade Sharpness
Cons: Handle Feel, Lock Ease of Use
A Knife to Greet the 20th Century Head-on
Ah, what can be said of Opinel No. 6, that hasn’t been said before? Well, you know me. I can probably spew-out a few paragraphs. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> I haven’t bought a knife with a finger nail nick in a long while (Swiss Army Knives, excluded). With the convenience of one-hand-opening provided by thumb studs, flippers, Spyder Holes, and auto opening knives, it is hard to revert back to the slower, more cumbersome technology of yesteryear. But, in this hectic, giga-speed world we reside in, it’s nice to have a tool to take us back to a simpler time. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Superb blade: thin, strong, scalpel sharp. Comfortable handle, although, pinky finger hangs off the end (Bad knife manufacturer! Bad! Bad! Rub your nose in it). This would make a great front porch whittler. An excellent knife to teach young folks (12-16 yrs old, or so) knife handling, care, sharpening, and use. It would make a nice Sunday afternoon shop/bench knife, for those projects you can slow down and savoir. EDC? Sorry, I live in the 21st Century. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> 21st Century Lock Mechanism Upgrade: Rough-up outer surface of locking ring with emery cloth/steel wool (careful not to get grit in mechanism). Wipe locking ring with alcohol wipe. Apply cut-to-size piece of stair tread tape to locking ring, leaving gap in ring open. Locking ring can now be easily manipulated one-handed, between thumb and index finger; instead of two-handed, with thumb nail of non-dominant hand. It also acts as a rumble strip before the stop sign, so to speak, to keep your fingers from slipping onto the blade. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> Short Handle Cure: Carefully drill 1/8” hole at rear of handle, avoiding blade indent/blade in handle. Run strand of 70# paracord through hole. Run paracord through ½’-1” wooden bead. Cinch bead up tight to handle, adjust to comfort of pinky finger, knot-off accordingly. Bead will act as a floating pommel, and will negate that, insecurity/inadequacy of grip feeling, of having your pinky hanging off in space. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> The knife comes in a nice boxet (cardboard, but not quite a box). It was fun trying to translate the French and pictographs on the back of the boxet. It said, as best as I could make out: “This was made in 1890. It will trim a mustache, or skin out a beaver pelt in 10 seconds flat, in France, the town of Savoie (which must be in the Alps, or maybe the Pyrenees, as the pictograph kinda looks like pyramids, which seems a funny place to make knives, as you would have to bring all your materials up the mountain, but I guess we make knives in Idaho, so it’s probably just a good place to live and work). It is of recyclable material and recycles.” Then there is a picture of a black bird asking for mercy. He must think this blade looks pretty wicked. It is. Lastly, it says, “This is a: then a pictograph of this knife.” After about 5 minutes of translating I discovered the English translation, in fine print at the bottom. You can read it on your own boxet. I like my translation better, anyways. >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> You still here? This is a great knife for those who long for a simpler time, for collectors of world knives, those who appreciate the classics, for anyone that likes to carry a fine, hard, keen edged, pocket scalpel. Comme toujours, merci, Knife Center pour la livraison rapide, un excellent service, et de superbes couverts.
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