Are Opinel knives made in France?
Knives made in France Since its creation in 1890, the company has been manufacturing its knives in the heart of the French Alps. Except for the kitchen knives and table knives, the molds and cutting tools have been developed by Opinel and wooden handles are made in Chambéry.
Is Opinel French?
Opinel is the French go-to brand when it comes to pocket knives.
What do the numbers mean on Opinel knives?
Joseph Opinel had the idea of making his knife into different sizes which would be suitable to different hand sizes or used for various tasks. So, in 1897, he developed 12 different sizes numbered from 1 to 12. The smallest knife, named No. 2, has a 3.5-cm blade and the largest knife, No. 12, a 12-cm blade.
What wood does Opinel use?
beechwood
Eighty percent of all Opinel knives use traditional beechwood for the handle. The company’s large demand for beechwood not infrequently results in a shortage of precut handle blanks, forcing the use of rectangular (bulk) sheets, which generate considerable wood waste.
What is the classic Opinel?
Opinel knives are made of both high carbon and stainless steel, the latter being Sandvik steel from Sweden. Originally sold as a working man’s knife, an Opinel knife has become emblematic of French culture. Pablo Picasso is said to have used one of the company’s knives as a sculpting tool.
What does the Opinel logo mean?
In 1909 Opinel formally registered the trademark for his knives. Both blade and handle carried the company name and a small logo depicting the emblematic main couronnée, or crowned hand. This was a reference to St. John the Baptist, the patron saint of Saint-Jean-deMaurienne and the apostle who had baptized Jesus.
Can I carry a knife in France?
French law states that carrying a pocketknife, whether you are in a city or the countryside is prohibited and you may be subject to a fine.
How old are Opinel knives?
In 1890, in a small Savoie village in Maurienne, Joseph Opinel invented the pocket knife that now bears his name. The Opinel company located at Chambéry in the heart of the Alps, is still run by the descendants of Joseph Opinel and manufactures items whose quality has made the brand famous for nearly 130 years.