REASONS TO BUY
Comfortable handle
Easy to sharpen
Lightweight
Affordable
REASONS TO AVOID
Outdated steel
Poor lock
No pocket clip
No front finger guard
Opinel No.08 Review
A legacy pocket knife with a vintage look but an antiquated design
The Opinel No. 8 has been in production for over 130 years. You can't go wrong with its vintage style, but it's far from the performance of modern pocket knives.
Credit: Kyle Hameister
By Kyle Hameister ⋅ Review Editor ⋅ August 20, 2026
RELATED: The Best Pocket Knives
Our Verdict
The Opinel No.08 is an interesting anomaly among modern knives. Originally released in 1890, it has an appeal limited to a vintage feel that can't earnestly compete with modern technology or materials. Inexpensive enough to get banged up, small enough to throw in a tackle box or glove compartment, yet still nice enough looking to be given away as a fun gift. For anyone looking for a lightweight, affordable pocket knife for basic tasks, the No.08 remains a fine choice, especially if appearance matters.
Our Analysis and Test Results
Opening and closing the No. 8 requires 2 hands. The proprietary blade lock is a collar which twists around the pivot. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Likes
We'd be lying if we said we aren't fans of vintage styling. The No.08 is a pretty knife, and pleasant to carry. The rounded handle is a little bulkier in the pocket than most, but it'll happily nudge aside to share a pocket with a hand, wallet, or keys. And it's so lightweight, you'll hardly notice it's there.
The steel alloy sharpens up like a dream. It took us no more than 10 minutes to clean up, and the results of our cutting tests after dulling and resharpening this knife were leagues better than most other options at this price point.
The handle is long enough to grip with all four fingers, and is undeniably comfortable. The natural feel of wood is nice, offering a subtly fine grip that even improves slightly when wet. The 'standard' handle option is Beech wood, but the No.08 is also available with handles in several other wood types.
The No. 8 feels good in the hand. Rounded and long enough for all fingers, with a natural wooden grip. Credit: Kyle Hameister
The blade is quite thin, but it does fit snugly and satisfyingly in the handle. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Dislikes
The materials simply can't compete with contemporary options. This type of stainless steel was originally developed in the 1960s, and though its formula has been improved over time, it still has average toughness, edge retention, and corrosion resistance.
Sprayed with saltwater and left to sit overnight, the blade on the No.08 showed signs of corrosion right away. If you're going to use it for fishing, make sure you wipe the blade off. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Requiring two hands to open and close a knife feels antiquated and silly. The proprietary Virobloc ring doubles as both a closed and open blade lock, which is neat, but ultimately has just too much flex to feel secure. The blade itself also has a noticeable flex, so the whole knife has an underlying flimsy feel.
Most concerning, though, is the lack of a forefinger guard. Your finger sits mere millimeters away from the cutting edge, and with any amount of forward pressure, your finger could easily slip. Even though it sharpened up well, the factory edge was unimpressive – this combination doesn't feel very secure.
Getting the factory edge of the No. 8 to catch into paper was maddeningly frustrating. Fortunately, it was better once we sharpened and honed it. Credit: Kyle Hameister
Should You Buy the Opinel No.08?
You don't buy the No.08 for modern durability or serious work. It's a simple, inexpensive knife that's fun to show off – you buy it for the vibes, or for the fact that it's still a quality-made, lightweight knife that's comfortable to carry.
What Other Pocket Knife Should You Consider
For just a few dollars more, the CIVIVI Mini Praxis and Gerber Zilch are both modern alternatives. For a similar vintage feel, the Benchmade 15032 North Fork is truly a top-notch knife, but it's also much more expensive – this is a knife for a collector, not a casual owner.
Side-by-Side Comparison
Compare Opinel No.08 versus top competing products:
| Awards | |
|---|---|
| Price | $22 List Check Amazon (on sale!) |
Overall Score  |
|
| Star Rating | |
| Bottom Line | A legacy pocket knife with a vintage look but an antiquated design |
| Pros | Comfortable handle, easy to sharpen, lightweight, affordable |
| Cons | Outdated steel, poor lock, no pocket clip, no front finger guard |
| Rating Categories | Opinel No.08 |
| Blade Quality (30%) | |
| Ease of Use (20%) | |
| Carrying Comfort (20%) | |
| Grip (20%) | |
| Sharpening & Cleaning (10%) | |
| Specifications | Opinel No.08 |
| Blade Length (Measured) | 3.3 in |
| Length Closed (Measured) | 4.3 in |
| Length Open (Measured) | 7.5 in |
| Closed Blade Lock? | Yes |
| Assisted Opening? | No |
| Blade Style | Clip point, plain edge |
| Blade Material | Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel |
| Blade Thickness (Measured) | 1.7 mm |
| Opening Style | Nail nick |
| Lock Type | Virobloc ring |
| Handle Material | Beech wood |
| Carry Style | None |
| Weight (Measured) | 1.6 oz |
| Closed Thickness w/o Pocket Clip (Measured) | 0.8 in |
| Other Features Or Functions | None |
—Kyle Hameister
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