There’s a reason so many people rely on the classic Opinel knife for tasks both big and small. Despite its traditional looks, it’s one of the sharpest knives you can get for your money. The new Opinel No. 12 Explore shakes things up, bringing Opinel’s everyday reliability to the outdoors. While it swaps out materials and adds in some survival essentials, you still get the efficient ergonomics that make an Opinel ideal for your everyday carry.
Fiberglass-reinforced polyamide replaces the traditional wood handle you find on a standard Opinel knife. This new handle is more durable, and especially resistant against cracking due to moisture when you’re outdoors. It features an attractive high-visibility two-tone styling with grip surfaces etched into the handle that are made to look like topographic map contours. At the hilt, there’s a built-in 110 decibel whistle for emergency situations, a cutting hook, and a fire starter. The blade on the Explore is made of highly corrosion-resistant 3.94” Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel. This makes it much more resistant to the elements when you’re outdoors than the standard carbon steel blade you find on a regular Opinel knife. And it can cut well too, with a thin blade and a clip-point shape that’s suited for all tasks large and small. Like other Opinel knives, opening is manual via a nail nick, and the blade locks into place with a ring at the handle.
The hardy design of the Opinel Explore makes it a great choice for outdoors EDC, but everyone can appreciate its more modern styling and the emergency survival essentials it packs into its pocketable frame. With the No. 12 Explore, you’ll be ready for the challenges life throws at you, wherever you may be. Check it out at the link below.
