Iconic Knife Brand, Opinel, Modernizes Its Classic Collar Lock After a 70-Year Stint
Opinel, a French knife manufacturer known for its affordable and reliable folding knives since 1890, has launched a new capsule collection in collaboration with National Parks. The collection includes the Opinel Neo6 Everyday Carry Folding Knife, featuring the innovative Opiflex black-locking system.
Key Features of the Opinel Neo6
The Opinel Neo6 is a compact and lightweight knife, measuring just 6.5 inches open and 3.625 inches closed. Weighing a mere 0.88 ounces (25 grams), it is designed for easy everyday carry.
The knife's blade, made of stainless steel, is 2.75 inches long and features a deliberately rounded tip that complies with urban knife laws. This design ensures safety while maintaining the knife's functionality for everyday cutting tasks.
The Opiflex retention system, a non-locking blade-holding mechanism, replaces Opinel’s traditional Virobloc locking collar. It uses an indexing notch and a spring-tab system to hold the blade securely in the open or closed position without locking it, making it intuitive and legal in many restrictive jurisdictions.
The handle of the Opinel Neo6 retains the brand's classic ergonomic design but uses modern, noble materials such as sustainably sourced French walnut, Italian olive wood, or FSBE-certified African ebony. The handles are finished with food-safe protective varnish and include a recycled leather lanyard.
Benefits of the Opinel Neo6
The Opinel Neo6 offers several advantages, including its lightweight and compact design, making it easy to carry all day without inconvenience. Its lack of a locking blade and rounded tip reduce legal issues and safety concerns, making it ideal for urban everyday carry (EDC).
The use of sustainable and high-quality materials adds environmental value to the knife's practicality. The Opiflex system enables a very user-friendly experience with blade retention without the need for manual locking or unlocking actions.
The Opinel Neo6 also maintains Opinel's signature design heritage combined with contemporary functional innovation, appealing to both traditional knife enthusiasts and modern EDC users.
Opinel's First Functional Change in 70 Years
Although Opinel is not known for frequent changes, the Opiflex mechanism marks the brand's first functional change since the Eisenhower administration. The Opiflex system keeps the blade from opening in pockets or closing while in use, addressing safety concerns and compliance with laws and restrictions regarding knives worldwide.
The Opinel Neo6 Everyday Carry Folding Knife is available for $35 and comes in various handle materials. The full review of the Neo6 knife is expected before summer's out. Opinel's knives are easily recognized by their distinctive wooden handles, and their sustained popularity among the outdoor crowd over the last 135 years is due to their affordability and reliability.
Furthermore, the National Parks collection benefits Leave No Trace, an organisation that promotes conservation and protection of natural places. This collaboration not only offers a practical and stylish knife but also contributes to the preservation of our natural environment.
[1] Opinel Official Website
[2] Gear Patrol Review
[3] Knife News Article
This lightweight and compact Opinel Neo6 folding knife, available for $35, is suitable for various lifestyle needs, including home-and-garden tasks, gadget enthusiasts, and technology users, due to its practicality and user-friendly Opiflex system. The Opinel Neo6's design incorporates modern materials such as sustainably sourced walnut, olive wood, and African ebony, making it an appealing addition to contemporary home-and-garden, gadgets, and technology-focused lifestyles.
