Opinel, the knife that continues to be a cut above the rest
Published on 2 October 2021
Born in an Alpine valley back in 1890, the pocket knife is so much more than just a classic tool handed down from generation to generation. It’s a true design icon.
Jean Sulpice, a Michelin-starred chef based in Annecy, was gifted an Opinel knife by his grandfather, Marcel, to use when mushroom picking. Acclaimed French sailor Michel Desjoyeaux attached his Opinel to a keyring to carry around as a child. Almost everyone in France has a similar tale to tell. It is these very stories of transmission, sharing and simplicity that underpin the success of the robust and universal pocket knife. From its humble beginnings in the Savoy mountains, the folding knife has since grown into an absolute classic, with its name even securing a spot in the dictionary since 1989. So, what is the secret behind its outstanding success? First and foremost, the common sense so often seen amongst country folk. The very first folding knife was produced in 1890 by a certain Joseph Opinel, himself the son of a blacksmith, working out of a tiny little hamlet perched 1,500 metres high in the Alps. Mad about machinery and inventions, it didn’t take long for the artisan to mechanise the production process in order to cut production costs. Well crafted, solid, durable, accessible and boasting an honest design, Joseph Opinel’s knife soon carved out a solid reputation, first in France and then overseas.
Because Joseph Opinel had a second string to his bow - an outstanding eye for business. He rapidly developed a network of wholesalers, readily dispatching his precious knives by rail to get them to their final destination. The third and final secret behind the brand’s success is that it has remained a family affair, with Joseph’s sons, Marcel and Léon, and then his grandson, Maurice, each taking the reins to drive the business forward. Maurice’s children, Brigitte, François and Denis, continue to run the business to this day. The firm may no longer be based in the hamlet of Albez-le-Vieux, but it hasn’t moved very far, having relocated just down the road to the nearest major town, Chambéry.
"And if the brand has remained part of people’s lives for over 130 years, it is also because it now has far more than one knife up its sleeve."
Crafted from beech, each Opinel consists of just five parts - a handle, a blade, a fixed ferrule to join the two together, another that rotates to secure the blade when it is opened and closed, and lastly a rivet to fix the whole thing together. This simple-sounding design is executed to absolute perfection, and the blade, made from carbon steel or stainless steel, boasts a convex profile, allowing it to be sharpened over time. Before hitting the shelves, it is hand sharpened to give it its iconic cutting edge. Everything is manufactured in Savoy using wood from the local area. Joseph’s self-evident design has now been propelled to the ranks of icon, with the knife being lauded as one of the world’s best-designed pieces by both the MoMA and the Victoria & Albert Museum.
The brand is now a Maison&Objet Paris regular. Opinel has been attending the trade fair twice a year since 2008, and the event has become a crucial cog in the wheels of its distribution policy, with modern-day retailers now filling the shoes of the wholesalers of yesteryear. After initially being sold in weaponry stores or other specialised outlets, the brand, which is easily recognised thanks to its crowned hand emblem, successfully expanded its range to secure a place on the shelves of home decor boutiques and department stores, and is now retailed in 70 countries worldwide. And if the brand has remained part of people’s lives for over 130 years, it is also because it now has far more than one knife up its sleeve. From the kitchen to the dining table, Opinel has gradually colonised the home, successfully attracting a female and urban client base. A box set for use in the kitchen contains five absolute musts: a peeler, a serrated knife, a paring knife, a vegetable knife and a spreading knife. Simple yet essential. Slightly more sophisticated are the perfectly balanced full forged knives. And when it comes to setting the table, customers can choose from a wide variety of woods including ash, olive, ebony and birch, all available in a plethora of hues. In January, the brand is set to launch a comprehensive range of steel cutlery going by the name of Perpétue. As well as evoking solidity, the name is also a traditional first name and was that of Joseph’s grandmother.
Opinel has also patented a children’s range called “petit chef”, which features a large red ring to protect little ones’ fingers and help them get a perfect grip on the handle. Last but not least, pursuing its passion for the great outdoors, the brand has developed billhooks and hand-held pruners, instruments for picking mushrooms or gathering chestnuts, tools equipped with emergency whistles for use when sailing or climbing, and even corkscrews that are greatly appreciated by fishermen, picnickers, campers, trekkers and nature-lovers alike. The opportunities to hand down this stunning creation from generation to generation just seem to keep on coming.
By Caroline Tossan
Illustration ©Sarah Bouillaud