Opinel Slim Series Fillet Folding Knifes - Camping Fishing EDC Pocket Knife review and price compare 2025

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Product overview

Brand	Opinel
Model Name	Opinel Slim Series Fillet Knife
Special Feature	Flexible Blade, Designed for Filleting Fish and other Outdoor Cooking Tasks
Handle Material	Beechwood, Beechwood
Color	Beechwood
Blade Material	Stainless Steel
Style	No8
Item Dimensions LxWxH	3.58 x 1.02 x 0.67 inches
Item Weight	30 Grams

product features

The slim Series (a. K. A Effie's in French) are elegant and highly ergonomic. The no 8 and 10 can be used as pocket knives. The no 12 makes a great table knife while the No15 is use to Fillet fish on the Go.
All slim knives have a narrow flexible blade, The smallest ones are great to cut fruits and vegetable and the larger ones Fillet fish.
Please keep in mind that the slim knives have a slightly flexible blade and are not designed to be use for heavy duty task.
This knife features the Virobloc safety rings. Invented by marcel Opinel in 1955, the Virobloc safety ring is fitted to all folding knives sizes No6 through No12.
Cut out of stainless steel, the Virobloc has two sections, one fixed and one sliding. In addition to locking the blade open (safety while in Use), it is now possible to lock the blade closed (safety on the Go).

product description

The Opinel folding knife was born in the savior region of France in 1890 and has become a Universal object due to its wide use and popularity throughout the world. A genuine trigger of memories, It is recognized as one of the best knives in the world. With the same attention to simplicity and reliability, Opine has designed other ranges of knives and tools for all those who appreciate effective cutting. A simple, robust and faithful tool, This essential little knife has been in the pockets of the greatest artists, adventurers, navigators and mountaineers including Pablo Picasso, Roger Fresno Roche, again colas, Eric tartly, Jean-Louis Etienne, Ellen Mac Arthur, Paul focused and many more. A constant landmark, cited in countless books and songs, Opine has risen to the status of a timeless Cult object, an unavoidable symbol of French culture.

product details

Is Discontinued By Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ No
Product Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 3.58 x 1.02 x 0.67 inches; 1.06 Ounces
Item model number ‏ : ‎ 516
Department ‏ : ‎ Unisex-adult
Date First Available ‏ : ‎ January 31, 2011
Manufacturer ‏ : ‎ Opinel
ASIN ‏ : ‎ B001PAYMT4

important information

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Questions about Opinel Slim Series Fillet Folding Knifes - Camping Fishing EDC Pocket Knife

What is the thickness of the blade?

Answer: I am not sure how to answer, but I use it to cut chunks off a block of cheese, cut meat on my plate, etc. Hope this helps. It is not a blade I would use to do heavy work, but it can open packages bound in tape, etc.

Answer: Very thin. I gave it to my nephew so I can't measure it but it is thin enough to be fairly flexible. Super cool looking knife with a quality feel to it none the less. Think "Gentleman's steak knife".

Answer: I'm not real sure since it's not in front of me. It's pretty thin and flexible. I would say less than 2mm or right about that.

is the blade stainless steel or carbon. thanks

Answer: The listed model is the Opinel Stainless Steel Locking Folding Slim Line Pocket Knife, 12 cm, with a Sandvik swedish stainless steel blade and bubinga wood handle.

Answer: Carbon

Answer: carbon

Is it a folding knife?

Answer: Yes it is. It also has a blade LOCK, but it is rather unusual. It doesn't automatically lock like most folding knives. And then there is a button must be pressed to release the blade, instead there is a metal ring at the base of the blade that you must TWIST to lock the blade in place when open, and then you must twist it back to release the blade so the knife can be closed. Overall a nice knife. A little LIGHT in my opinion but still nice.

Answer: Yes it is a folding knife

Answer: Yes, this is a folding knife. The knife has a rotating cuff at the base of the blade that locks the blade in the open or closed position. Made with good materials, easy to use, lightweight, sharp blade. Great product.

Answer: Yes, it is a folding knife. It has a rotating lock mechanism to lock it either open or closed, so it pretty well takes two hands to open or close it.

Answer: Yes it folds like all the other Opinel knives, it has a manual locking mechanism, it is a long blade.

Answer: yes, locks both open and closed

Answer: Yes, but I leave it open all the time because I use it so much.

Answer: Yes

how long is the blade?

Answer: 12 cm. almost 5 inches. They sell an 18 cm Bubinga that's close to 6 inches. They also have 7 inch fish fillet knife.

Answer: 4 3/4 inches

Answer: That depends on which model you buy.

How thick is the knife when closed?

Answer: The blade is 3 1/4" and the knife is 7 1/4" when open so about 4" when closed

Answer: It's a cylinder, a little less than an inch in diameter at the thickest point (the silver ring/lock). It's very light, very sharp out of the box, super pointy, and very easy to sharpen to a razor edge. Great knife, a little more delicate than the regular No. 8.

Answer: There is only one "bolster" that being at the front and enclosed in the locking mechanism. At that point it is approx. 3/4 of an inch wide. It then tapers rearward gently to about a 1/4 inch wide at the rear of the handle. When gripped, it is very comfortable, almost "dainty". My last two fingers wrap around the handle completely, securing the grip. Hope this helps.

Answer: Can't tell you down to a millimeter, but just eyeballing it with a tape measure, I'd say three quarters of an inch at it's widest point.

Answer: It's less than an inch

The listed model is No15, right?

Answer: Yes, it appears to be a #15. I have one, it's a great fillet knife.

Answer: Hard to tell from the description, but the one I received was No. 15.

Is the handle slimmer than a normal Opinel No. 8? If so, how thick?

Answer: Yes it is slimmer. I would say by 25 %- 30 % This is an awesome knife Very sharp! Small enough to fit in your pocket and you'll forget you have it. I use it all the time in the kitchen, my favorite by far

Answer: I think it's the same handle just slimmer at back end,tapered

does this knife have a carbon blade

Carbon or stainless steel?

Answer: The slims are all stainless. Good quality though. Great fish cleaning and fillet knife.

Answer: This one is stainless.

Answer: stainless stays looking better but carbon is easier to sharpen

Answer: Stainless

Does it lock?

Answer: Yes. The blade is locked by rotating a ring around the front of the knife, which keeps the blade from folding. I think it is one of the most reliable locking mechanisms.

Answer: Yes. Opinel virobloc lock ring.

Answer: Yes, it has a round mechanism that lock the blade when its opened and when its closed as well.

Answer: Yes

Will it float ?

Answer: Such an interesting question, I had to try it! No, it sinks. Too much metal for the wooden handle.

Answer: No, absolutely not

Does this come with the leather holster?

Answer: No it is a folding pocket knife that fits very nicely in a deep Pocket like cargo pants

Answer: No.

Answer: No it doesn't.

Would this make a good fishing knife?

Answer: Yes. Blade will flex for good filet knife.

Answer: No issues with blade for fileting but I would hate to see what would happen to the beautiful wood handle after a few dozen fish.

Is the handle beechwood or oak?

What is the length of No 12 slim folding fillet knife, in folded position?

Answer: It is 15 cm long.

One option lists bubinga/padauk, which is it? these are very different woods and I would like to know which I would receive

Answer: Not sure. Mine is a reddish-brown, sort of rosewood.

Is the steel stainless (inox) or carbon? Thanks!

Answer: Stainless steel

Answer: I believe stainless. Thank you

Answer: Stainless - INOX is stamped on the blade. But it sure holds an edge, at least when used for food.

Answer: Stainless

Would this be a good fillet knife?

Answer: Yes, for small fish. The blade is only about 4.5" and is flexable for about half its length.

Answer: Yes, very sharp.

I live in melbourne Australia am i able to get this knife into my country?

Answer: No idea. Google folding blade knife Australian import restrictions.

The 12cm blade with varnished wood handle, it is carbon or Inox (stainless)?

Answer: The description states, Carbon Steel (X90) Blade Blade Length: 3 3/16. Mine was polished to a mirror finish. I also purchased this model with olive wood handles. Enjoy the knife...

Answer: The blade is inox. The handle isn’t varnished though - mine is nicely sanded bubinga wood. I think all the handle varieties for the slim blade come with inox though.

Answer: The one I received was stainless (inbox). I love the knife. I did notices that the wood swells pretty tightly against the blade when wet, thereby causing it to be damn near impossible to close. This is typical of all opines but seems more pronounced in the bubinga.

Answer: the blade is made in a special designed stainless steel.

Is the photo wrong? the picture shows printed inox on the blade, that's stainless not carbon. what is the actual metal on this knife?

Answer: It seems to almost be a cross. It is magnetic. Holds an edge very well like their high carbon knives. I generally prefer their original steel, yet I use this one daily!

Answer: They make them in both carbon and stainless, the slim bladed ones I have bought are all stainless blades.

Answer: It is inox (stainless)

Made in China?

Answer: Opinel is a family run business that’s been making knives in France for the past 130 years.

Answer: France. It's a French knife but it could be considered an Arkansas toothpick.

Answer: All Opinel knives are supposed to be made in the factory in France.

Answer: NO! Made in France.

Answer: I, France

Answer: Made in france

Answer: No, France

Answer: No, made in France.

Does this knife fold?

Answer: It's an Opinel. Yes of course it folds. Makes the perfect filet knife, easy to transport but quite a bit longer than your average folder.

Answer: The knife folds and locks.

Answer: Yepper

Answer: Yes

What is the blade length?

Answer: 15cm or 5.9 inches

Answer: 5 3/4 inches

any issues with constant use on a lake or ocean for fileting? LIke the handle? I like mora quality of the blade.

Answer: I use mine daily in an unconventional kitchen at an off grid farm kitchen. Cut 30lbs of pork In To 1 inch cubes today. Cut pork belly in to 1/2 inch strips. Slice beef in to 1/4 inch strips for jerkey.

Answer: It will perform well for you even with constant use.

Is it carbon or stainless steel

Answer: Stainless

is this a carbon blade?

best size to filet freshwater fish like trout, catfish, and maybe bass (yeah I know you bass guys only like to release)?

Answer: One of the cheapest but best made brand of knives made. The filet knife is especially handy for all these fish. Buy it, well worth the money

Answer: Owning an Opinel is owning a piece of history. Beautiful design and balance. Check the size on the website for your preferable blade length. My four inche blade might be Okay for pan fish, otherwise a longer blade might be better. A few strokes on a hone and they are dangerously sharp just out the box. Enjoy!

Answer: At least the No. 12. I'd personally go with the No. 18, but that would be really big for a trout.

Answer: No good knife at all. The worst quality I ever met

Product reviews of Opinel Slim Series Fillet Folding Knifes - Camping Fishing EDC Pocket Knife

Guenther93 : Perfect Portable Steak Knife

I bought this knife because I am usually completely disgusted with the so-called steak knives that you get in restaurants. I was hoping that this would be something I could carry in and use to actually cut a steak without having to hack at it to the point of knocking the plate to the floor. And it is fantastic! Just the right size, elegant, and razor sharp! I like a sharp knife, not a dull saw.

I took it on an extended picnic recently, and used it to carve a ham and slice crusty Italian bread. It works like a charm, and everyone who sees it is amazed.

The rotating lock takes a bit of getting used to, and was stiff at first. A little ham fat cleared that right up.

I was not sure what size to order, but this works just perfectly as I use it. It is a big knife; I would not take it into a school or office, just saying.

Michael D Marks : Awesome knife

Perfect knife. It fits well my hand. Comes out of the box extremely Sharp. I love it so far.

Cesar Davila : Calidad

Calidad, muy buena hoja, excelente inversión.

m. green : Great knife for the $

Great knife for the $

Sam M. : Classic

I saw a great review of this knife on Boing Boing, and ordered one. Turns out everyone I know has one too, as well as every one in France. The blade lock is different than I am used to but it is a great utility knife.

Malachi Emerson : Opinel = awesome

Opinel makes the best knives. Better than ones that cost hundreds or more. It's the only knife I've bought more than once. Lost last one.

IBDMANN : Same Great Opinel Quality

This is my second Opinel, and they are an outstanding value for the money. The blade is *razor* sharp, this is my first Opinel blade in stainless steel. These are great working knives that can be used hard. Many others have noted that sometimes the initial opening can be stiff due to moisture in the wood. My solution was to leave it in my car in the summer heat for a day or two. It does the trick!

jon stenback : Quality

Compact

VERDEXIPHLUX : It is truly a beautiful piece of work

It is truly a beautiful piece of work. The wood is stunning and the blade is razor sharp, all but the last inch at the tip, but easily fixed. I would highly recommend.

VLDBI : Very nice, high quality

Good for gardening or shivving snitches. Very high quality. Locking mechanism is cumbersome, so don't think that this is a flip knife or weapon.

David : Needs a sharper finished edge

Perfect personal steak knife

CaudilloSupremo : Excellent fillet and slicing knife

The 12cm OPINEL Effilé (Slim) pocket knife with stainless blade makes a great portable boning or fillet knife for camping/fishing. My Opinel arrived in perfect condition and opens and locks correctly. The polished blade and bubinga wood handle are a definite step up from the regular OPINEL and well worth the extra cost in my opinion. This knife's Sandvik 12C27 MOD stainless blade resists rust and it's an excellent slicer and cutter, with sufficient flexibility to serve as an excellent fillet knife for small- to medium-size fish. Being so thin I would not attempt to use it for any task other than slicing meat, cheese, bread, fish, or vegetables - but since that's its intended purpose, I can't fault this knife.

Kevin : Very sharp, excellent quality

Extremely sharp, like razor sharp right out of the box. Good flexibility for filleting. Light and portable for the large size. The locking ring was a little stiff so I placed half a drop of coconut oil in the ring and its smooth and easy now. I used coconut oil to keep it food safe but I’m sure any food safe oil will work

Memphis Donnie : History

Own your self something that can that cannot be improved.

TV : Very nice knife, made in France!

I collect US, GB and French knives & this one is useful and very well finished. Like all hand made knives you have to hand wash so it’s more a knife for expert. And so affordable compared to other makers! Usually at this price point, you only find made in China! Amazon had the best price & service again!

Gary Presley : Sharp as a razor

I love these knives. I have two. I can't find the other one, and so I ordered this one. They are very, very easy to sharpen to a real edge, much easier than stainless steel blades. And if you google how to add a patina and then keep the blade oiled, it becomes a nice-looking knife.

JBL : Great knife!

I bought this knife as a daily, never-know-when-you-might-need-it knife. It works great. I do wish the blade was a bit more sturdy but I sacrificed the blade stability for the small size. The finish of the bubinga wood is perfect. When I pull this knife out to use it I always get compliments on the design and finish. Worth the price overall.

David : Excellent

Having used this knife every day for over a year now I can attest that it's truly excellent. I eat a lot of fresh fruit and I use this knife to process it.

Kevin : Not good if you plan on actually using it

The wood handle is extraordinarily light, as if it was hollow. The blade doesn’t lock out, and the metal feels cheap and flimsy. I did the paper cut test and it was not impressive whatsoever. Hand sharpening my chef knife yielded a blade much much sharper than this one.

I am returning this product and buying something else. The only reason it has 2 stars is because it looks pretty from afar. But if you plan on actually using this, look for something else.

Not sure why there are so many glowing reviews here... paid reviews perhaps?

Paul Malarik : A Great Travel Picnic Knife

Hi-

I have quite a few good or great knives, but have always had trouble finding a good looking light folding picnic knife for hotel use. This knife is long (No 12) and sharp enough to cut sandwiches or steaks and folds nicely. The locking mechanism is a twist-type which is strange to me, but works. The knife is a french knife similiar to the very expensive french wine& cheese travel knives, but is far, far cheaper and almost as well made. It is well balanced (not like me) and is ergonomic. The wood definitely needs some Mineral Oil pre-treatment to help preserve the very nice Bubinga wood. Beware, this knife is quite sharp....it does lack serrations and it is not as light as the boker ceramic folders (which are fun but brittle). I have not tried it to cut bread nor tomatoes, but you can also get another travel knife for that....either a small "rescue type" knife (the Cara) or a cheap serrated non-folding short Victorix that comes in a cheap sheath.

I also bought one the shorter Opinels, but I prefer this one by far.

BTW- I did see these in a Knife Shop for far more money....so this is a good deal. The other expensive french knives or corkscrews have stuff like horn, exotic woods, or even Wooly Mammoth Ivory for the handles....which while beautiful or not as practical (especially if lost or stolen)!

Hope this helps!
-Paul

m. green : Great knife for the $

Great knife for the $

Howard W Moore : Good value but not a rapela

I'm used to a cheap rapela I find the blade not flexable enough and the handle to thin I would be happier had it had a handle sized like the standard opinel

Nicolas : Beautiful knife, high quality, value price

I bought this knife from my husband’s birthday. The Opinel quality for the value is unmatched. My husband uses the knife to cut cheeses and meats for charcuterie boards. I would highly recommend any Opinel knife.

ROBERT O. : Great value

Beautiful little knife in size 8, lightweight, sharp!

Edboy : Opinel # 15

Beautiful knife!! Made very well. Excellent filet knife!!

PMB : Price a good deal

AS advertised. Some of the Opinel locking collars are a little tight, and have to be oiled and fiddled with to be smooth. At the price it's a good deal.

Jason : Five Stars

Great addition to the cook kit.

Amazon Customer : It's ok

It looks better in the pictures than in real. It's light but looks cheap made. Don't know if it lasts.

TV : Very nice knife, made in France!

Desirree : The best of both function and form

The best of both function and form. This beautiful knife is great for everyday carry, as long as its not used too aggressively, as it may be prone to bending or breaking with its thin metal blade.

Chris Flinders : fits my hand well, easy to work with fruit, nice improvement to the viroblock ring.

I don't dislike anything about this knife but it's still new to me. Time will tell..

tony hallen : Great food prep knife

This knife is good for food prep. The very thin blade is flexible but surprisingly strong.

AHR : Five Stars

Easy opening and elegant!

IBDMANN : Same Great Opinel Quality

Paul Malarik : A Great Travel Picnic Knife

Michael D Marks : Awesome knife

Perfect knife. It fits well my hand. Comes out of the box extremely Sharp. I love it so far.

M. Voce Moody : One of the best EDC knives out there

Opinel stands for excellent quality for reasonable price. It's not a heavy blade but for everyday use it can't be beaten

kj6785 : Great buy

What else needs saying it's an Opinel. It came sharp and ready to use. The unique locking mechanism works and is easy to use. Handle is nice fits the hand well makes handling the knife properly easy. You'll be happy with it.

Amazon Customer : It’s a classic for a reason

It’s my camp food knife, dead simple, no complaints.

Amazon Customer : Five Stars

Great knife. Well worth it.

VLDBI : Very nice, high quality

Good for gardening or shivving snitches. Very high quality. Locking mechanism is cumbersome, so don't think that this is a flip knife or weapon.

T. SNYDER : Excelent filet knife.

I use this for fish/ food prep when camping. the blade is razor sharp & flexes well for fileting.

Dino : Nice substitute for restaurant knives

Nice, classy knife to take to a restaurant. It will slice your food instead of tearing it apart like most restaurant knives. Blade is mirror polished and the wood handle is finished nicely. Blade is thin with a slight flex.

Amazon Customer : Five Stars

Great knife. Well worth it.

m. green : Great knife for the $

Great knife for the $

Sam M. : Classic

kj6785 : Great buy

Doc : A Great Deal

Light weight, well built and sharp - What more could you ask for?

Volha : Worst purchase ever

Bought two Opinel knifes for camping. After second trip one knife no longer folds and another rusted.... Worst purchase ever.

Clyde : Great value! Great knife!

I bought it mostly as a letter and package opener. It's perfect for that and better than any knife I've ever used for that.

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