Views: 222 Author: Amanda Publish Time: 2025-04-28 Origin: Site
Content Menu
● Introduction to the Opinel No 8 Outdoor Knife
>> Blade
>> Handle
>> Strength and Edge Retention
>> Practical Survival Features
>> Limitations in Survival Scenarios
● FAQ
>> 1. How durable is the Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife for survival use?
>> 2. What materials are used in the Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife?
>> 3. Does the Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife have any special survival features?
>> 4. Is the Opinel No 8 easy to maintain?
>> 5. Can the Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife be opened with one hand?
The Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife has been a staple in the pocket knife world for over a century, renowned for its simplicity, functionality, and classic design. But is it durable enough for survival situations? This comprehensive Opinel No 8 outdoor knife review will explore the knife's construction, materials, features, and real-world performance to determine if it can meet the demands of survival and outdoor use.
The Opinel No 8 is a folding pocket knife originally designed in 1890 by Joseph Opinel in France. It features a simple yet effective design with a wooden or polymer handle and a sharp, thin blade. The Outdoor variant of the No 8 is specially designed for rugged activities like trekking, mountaineering, and camping, with enhancements such as a serrated blade section, a shackle opener, and an emergency whistle integrated into the handle[5][7].
The Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife sports an 8.5 cm (approximately 3.3 inches) blade made from high-quality stainless steel (Sandvik 12C27) or carbon steel depending on the model. The stainless steel offers excellent corrosion resistance and requires minimal maintenance, making it ideal for outdoor use[4][7]. The blade is 2.5 mm thick with a clip point and a partial serrated edge (about 3.5 cm), which is especially useful for cutting ropes and tough materials in survival scenarios[3][7].
The blade's Yatagan shape, inspired by Turkish sabers, provides strength and precision, making it excellent for slicing tasks such as food preparation or whittling wood[4][8].
The traditional Opinel No 8 features a beechwood handle, which is lightweight (about 45 grams) and ergonomically shaped for a comfortable grip. However, the Outdoor version replaces the wood with a polymer handle reinforced with fiberglass, enhancing its shock resistance, water resistance, and ability to withstand extreme temperatures from -40°C to +80°C[3][5][7]. This makes the Outdoor model more durable and weatherproof for survival use.
One of Opinel's signature features is the Virobloc safety ring, a rotating steel collar that locks the blade in both the open and closed positions. This simple but effective mechanism prevents accidental blade closure during use and adds safety during transport[2][4][16]. While the lock requires two hands to operate and can be fiddly, it is reliable and secure.
The Opinel No 8's blade is thin and designed primarily for slicing rather than heavy prying or chopping. While the carbon steel variant holds a sharper edge longer, it requires more maintenance to prevent rust. The stainless steel blade resists corrosion better but may need more frequent sharpening[2][8][14].
The blade can bend if subjected to excessive force or twisting, which limits its use as a heavy-duty survival knife. It is not designed to baton firewood or perform prying tasks typical of survival knives[18].
The polymer handle of the Outdoor version is highly durable, resisting shocks, water, and extreme temperatures, making it more suitable for survival than the traditional wooden handle, which can swell or crack when wet[3][5][18].
The Outdoor No 8 includes a serrated blade section for cutting ropes, a shackle opener for hardware tasks, and an integrated 110-decibel whistle for emergency signaling. These features add practical value for survival and outdoor enthusiasts[3][5][7].
Users praise the Opinel No 8 for its lightweight, sharp blade, and versatility in everyday tasks such as food prep, rope cutting, and light wood carving. Its compact size and comfortable grip make it a favorite for camping, hiking, and picnic use[1][2][8].
While the Opinel No 8 excels at slicing and general utility, it is not a full survival knife. It lacks the robustness needed for heavy-duty tasks like chopping wood, prying, or hammering. The thin blade and locking mechanism are not designed to withstand lateral forces or abuse common in survival situations[18].
Users note that the wooden handle models can become difficult to open when wet due to swelling, but the Outdoor polymer handle mitigates this issue[9][18].
Pros | Cons |
Lightweight and compact (about 63 g) | Blade is thin and can bend under heavy pressure |
Sharp, partially serrated stainless steel blade | Requires two hands to open and lock |
Durable polymer handle resistant to water/impact | No pocket clip, can be bulky in pocket |
Virobloc safety ring locks blade open and closed | Wooden handle versions prone to swelling in moisture |
Useful survival features: whistle, shackle opener | Not suitable for heavy survival tasks like batoning |
Affordable price (~$19-$30) | Manual lock can occasionally unlock accidentally |
The Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife is a durable, lightweight, and versatile tool that excels in everyday outdoor tasks such as food preparation, rope cutting, and light whittling. Its polymer handle and stainless steel blade make it more resilient to weather and wear than traditional wooden models. The added survival features like a whistle and shackle opener enhance its utility in the outdoors.
However, it is not a heavy-duty survival knife. Its thin blade and manual locking mechanism limit its use for prying, chopping, or other demanding survival tasks. If you need a knife primarily for slicing, camping, and general outdoor use, the Opinel No 8 Outdoor is an excellent choice. For rugged survival scenarios requiring more robust tools, consider a fixed blade or a knife specifically designed for survival.
Overall, the Opinel No 8 Outdoor knife offers outstanding value, classic design, and sufficient durability for most outdoor enthusiasts and survival hobbyists.
The Opinel No 8 Outdoor is durable for general outdoor and camping tasks but is not designed for heavy-duty survival work like batoning or prying. Its blade can bend under excessive force, and the locking mechanism is manual and requires care[3][18].
It features a stainless steel (Sandvik 12C27) blade with a polymer handle reinforced with fiberglass, making it resistant to water, shocks, and extreme temperatures (-40°C to +80°C)[3][5][7].
Yes, it includes a serrated blade section for cutting ropes, a shackle opener for hardware tasks, and an integrated 110-decibel emergency whistle in the handle[3][5][7].
The stainless steel blade requires minimal maintenance, while the carbon steel version needs regular oiling to prevent rust. The wooden handle versions may require care to avoid swelling in moisture, but the Outdoor polymer handle is low maintenance[2][8][9].
No, the Opinel No 8 requires two hands to open and lock the blade due to its Virobloc safety ring locking mechanism[2][16].
[1] https://www.outdoorgearlab.com/reviews/camping-and-hiking/pocket-knife/opinel-no-8
[2] https://adventuremotorcycle.com/gear/opinel-no-8-knife-review
[3] https://www.bike24.com/p2134228.html
[4] https://www.bivouac.co.nz/opinel-traditional-knife-stainless-no-8.html
[5] https://www.opinel.com/en/multifunction/n8-outdoor
[6] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lVIXAgjLwAQ
[7] https://opinel.com.au/products/n-08-outdoor
[8] https://www.thearmorylife.com/opinel-no-8-review/
[9] https://www.opinel-usa.com/pages/opinel-faq
[10] https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/ct/opinel-8-pocket-knives.htm
[11] https://www.knivesandtools.co.uk/en/ct/opinel-8-pocket-knives.htm
[12] https://www.reddit.com/r/BuyItForLife/comments/58jr7x/review_opinel_carbone_no_8_pocket_knife/
[13] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=27TLxnP-oKA
[14] https://morethanjustsurviving.com/opinel-no-8-traditional-pocket-knife-review/
[15] https://opinel.com.au/collections/no-08-folding-knife
[16] https://www.cleverhiker.com/backpacking/opinel-no-8-pocket-knife-review/
[17] https://www.knivesandtools.com/en/pt/-opinel-001577-outdoor-pocket-knife-no-08.htm
[18] https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/comments/11mo8yw/your_opinion_on_opinel_knife/
[19] https://frontlinefreedom.org/is-the-opinel-no-8-the-greatest-pocket-knife-ever-made-a-detailed-review
[20] http://threezerouk.blogspot.com/2016/05/opinel-no8-review-guest-post-by-kernow.html
[21] https://www.thearmorylife.com/opinel-no-8-review/
[22] https://campandclimb.co.za/product/opinel-no-8-outdoor-orange
[23] https://carvingisfun.com/opinel-carbon-steel-knife-review/
[24] https://www.reliableknife.com/opinel-no8-review/
[25] https://www.trailspace.com/gear/opinel/no.-8-folding-knife/
[26] https://opinel.com.au/collections/no-08-folding-knife
[27] https://www.opinel-usa.com/products/opinel-no-8-carbon-steel-folding-knife
[28] https://www.businessinsider.com/guides/kitchen/opinel-pocket-knife-review
[29] https://www.reddit.com/r/Survival/comments/11mo8yw/your_opinion_on_opinel_knife/
[30] https://www.opinel.com/en/multifunction/n8-outdoor
[31] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kobFyMQngJM
[32] https://www.opinel-usa.com/products/opinel-no8-outdoor
[33] https://www.millets.co.uk/15900280/opinel-no-8-outdoor-knife-15900280
[34] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CSZgr5dz1hE
[35] https://www.cleverhiker.com/backpacking/opinel-no-8-pocket-knife-review/
[36] https://galwaymaritime.com/product/opinel-no-8-outdoor-knife/
[37] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xWyR593j6aI
[38] https://www.youtube.com/live/CSZgr5dz1hE
[39] https://www.freezedriedandco.com/9353-opinel-n8-outdoor-knife-sea-and-mountains-85cm.html
[40] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RgfrpWWFR-U
[41] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LNAGdiP7jwY
[42] https://www.instagram.com/opinelusa/p/DDUsOAMsCSt/?api=%E9%A9%AC%E6%9D%A5%E8%A5%BF%E4%BA%9A%E6%98%94%E5%8A%A0%E6%9C%AB%E7%BA%A6%E7%82%AEWhatsApp%EF%BC%9A601167898268%E5%85%A8%E5%A5%97%E6%9C%8D%E5%8A%A1.pclk
[43] https://www.opinel.com/en/opinel-and-me/tips/practical-guide-to-preserving-your-opinel-knives
[44] https://www.opinel-usa.com/blogs/news/how-to-choose-opinel-folding-knife-size
[45] https://frontlinefreedom.org/is-the-opinel-no-8-the-greatest-pocket-knife-ever-made-a-detailed-review
[46] https://opinel.jp/guide/
[47] https://www.woodtowater.co.uk/product/opinel-no-8-outdoor-knife-blue/
[48] https://opinel.com.au/pages/faq
[49] https://highmount-store.jp/view/item/000000001220
[50] https://www.newforestclothing.co.uk/products/opinel-no-8-outdoor-knife
[51] https://www.reddit.com/r/Opinel/comments/1805cm2/no8_sharpening_question/
[52] https://www.reddit.com/r/knives/comments/16ozg6/whats_everyones_opinion_of_the_opinel_no8_outdoor/
[53] https://item.rakuten.co.jp/nature-natural/insertnameopinel8/
[54] https://highmount-store.jp/view/category/opinel
[55] https://www.opinel.com/en/frequently-asked-questions
