In this article, I will talk about the Opinel Picnic+ Kit, a cutlery set designed for those who appreciate classic pocket knives and want to use them in their outdoor adventures. This kit combines the quality and tradition of Opinel pocket knives with the practicality of compact utensils, ideal for picnics and other outdoor activities. Including an Opinel N°08 pocket knife, a spoon and a fork that fit perfectly, the Picnic+ Kit offers functionality and style for your outdoor meals. I will explore more about this amazing kit and its features, but first, let’s talk a little about this traditional French brand, which manufactures its pocket knives in the Savoy region, in the French Alps.
Opinel: history and origin
Opinel is a renowned French pocket knife brand founded in 1890 by Joseph Opinel in the small village of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in the French Alps. Initially, Joseph created a simple and functional pocket knife for agricultural and domestic use, but the quality and design of the product quickly gained popularity.
Over the years, Opinel expanded its product line while maintaining its commitment to excellence in craftsmanship and high-quality materials. Today, the brand is known worldwide for its iconic pocket knives, especially the Opinel N°08 model, which has become a symbol of timeless design and functionality.
Philosophy and mission
Opinel values simplicity, functionality, and durability, creating products that accompany generations. The brand’s mission is to combine artisanal tradition with modern innovations to meet consumer needs.
Main products and innovations of Opinel
Opinel is known for its classic pocket knives, especially the Opinel N°08 model, which has become an icon of timeless design. The brand also innovated with the Virobloc blade locking system, patented in 1955. In addition to pocket knives, Opinel offers kitchen knives, gardening tools, and picnic accessories.
Opinel product lines and highlights
Classic Pocket Knives: Opinel’s classic line includes the traditional pocket knives that made the brand famous. These knives are recognized for their beechwood* handles and carbon steel or stainless-steel blades, offering durability and precise cutting. The Virobloc locking system, introduced in 1955, is a safety highlight that allows the blade to be locked in the open or closed position.
\*Beechwood is a type of wood obtained from the beech tree (genus Fagus), native to temperate regions of Europe, Asia, and North America. Beechwood is known for its hardness, strength, and fine grain. It is often used in the manufacture of furniture, kitchen utensils, and tools, such as Opinel knife handles, due to its durability and ability to be precisely worked. In addition, beechwood has a light and homogeneous appearance, making it aesthetically pleasing.
Kitchen Knives: Opinel also offers a wide range of kitchen knives that combine functionality and aesthetics. These knives are designed for various culinary tasks, from cutting vegetables to deboning meat, with sharp blades and ergonomic handles.
Gardening Knives: Opinel’s gardening tools include pruning knives, saws, and grafting knives. These products are designed to be robust and efficient, making gardeners’ work easier.
Cutlery and Accessories Line: Opinel’s cutlery and accessories line is perfect for outdoor meals and picnics. This line includes forks, spoons, and accessories such as bottle openers, all designed with the same attention to detail and quality as their knives.
Target audience for Opinel products
Opinel pocket knives are aimed at people who appreciate the combination of tradition, quality, and classic design. Unlike multi-tools from brands such as Leatherman, Opinel knives mostly feature only the blade. In some cases, there are additional features, such as a semi-serrated blade and a whistle in the handle, but they are generally not intended for people seeking a multi-functional tool. Some users of Opinel products are:
- Outdoor Enthusiasts: Campers, hikers, and adventurers who seek a reliable knife for everyday outdoor tasks.
- Collectors: Those who value the history and timeless aesthetics of Opinel products.
- Chefs and Gourmets: Culinary lovers who want high-quality knives to prepare meals, whether at home or on a picnic.
- Gardeners: People who need robust and efficient tools for gardening.
- Handcrafted Product Enthusiasts: Individuals who value artisanal quality and premium materials.
Discover the Opinel Picnic+ Kit
The Opinel Picnic+ Kit is part of the Opinel Nomad Cooking line and is an innovation for the brand that combines tradition and modernity. This kit includes an Opinel N°08 knife, a fork, and a spoon that fit into the knife handle, providing practicality and style for outdoor meals. In addition, the kit includes a small microfiber towel that serves as a storage case and for cleaning.
Main features:
Opinel N°08 Pocket Knife: Stainless-steel blade with 8.5 cm, beechwood handle, and Virobloc locking system.
Picnic Fork and Spoon: Utensils that fit onto the knife, making transport and use easier. If you already have an Opinel N°08 knife, you can purchase the spoon and fork separately to build your Picnic+ kit.
Smart Design: Compact and easy to carry, ideal for outdoor activities.
Detailed features:
Blade Length: 8.5 cm.
Martensitic Stainless Steel: Hardness 55-57 HRC. European origin. The stainless steel used in OPINEL blades is an optimized grade to ensure high corrosion resistance and high mechanical performance. The blade offers excellent sharpness and high abrasion resistance, allowing it to withstand regular contact with hard materials, such as ceramics, before needing resharpening. Stainless steel has the advantage of not requiring special maintenance under normal conditions of use, unlike carbon steel. However, it may reach its limits when in prolonged contact with aggressive environments (acids, salt water, detergents, etc.).
Yatagan Blade: The classic Opinel blade has adopted a Yatagan shape. The Yatagan shape is inspired by a traditional Turkish saber, with the tip pointing upwards. The blade is sharpened with a unique convex profile that ensures blade strength and allows efficient resharpening.
Handle: Beech is the most commonly used wood for manufacturing Opinel handles. Sourced from France, our beech is hard, durable, and easy to work with. With a homogeneous appearance, its light color ranges from yellow to pink. It is characterized by the presence of numerous small dark spots.
Safety Ring: Invented by Marcel Opinel in 1955, the Virobloc safety ring is present in all folding knives from N°06 onwards. Made of stainless steel, the Virobloc has two sections, one fixed and one sliding. In addition to locking the blade open (safety in use), it is now possible to lock the blade closed (safety in transport).
Usability and applications
The Picnic+ Kit is perfect for campers, hikers, picnic lovers, and anyone who appreciates outdoor meals with style and practicality. It is ideal for cutting food, preparing meals, and enjoying a picnic without complications.
Comparison with Similar Products
The Picnic+ Kit is a cutlery kit. Therefore, it is comparable to various cutlery kits available on the market, from brands focused on family camping, such as Decathlon and NTK, to technical brands such as Primus and Sea to Summit. However, a major difference is the blade quality, which is truly very sharp and resistant, a weakness in many knives in some kits.
Pros and cons of the Opinel Picnic+ Kit
Pros: Easy to carry, elegant design, high-quality materials. The blade is, in my view, the most positive aspect when compared to aluminum, titanium, and especially plastic cutlery kits. But, as I explained above, it depends a lot on the type and needs of use.
Cons: Considering trekking, the higher weight compared to plastic, aluminum, or titanium cutlery may be a negative point. However, this will depend on the intended use. For someone who does not mind this small extra weight, it may not be a downside. In addition, not being able to use knife, fork, and spoon simultaneously is also a drawback. It is possible to cut meat with the blade and hold it only with the fork without the handle, but it is not very comfortable.
Sustainability at Opinel
Brand’s Sustainable Practices: Opinel uses wood from sustainably managed forests and maintains an eco-friendly manufacturing process.
Conscious Choice: Choosing Opinel products means choosing durability and respect for the environment, reducing the need for frequent replacements and contributing to sustainability.
Conclusion
The Opinel Picnic+ Kit is an example of how tradition and innovation can come together to create an essential piece of equipment for outdoor adventures. This kit, which includes a classic pocket knife and practical utensils, provides everything you need for stylish and convenient outdoor meals.
Learn more
Opinel Nomad Kit Video
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