Opinel No.09 Beech Wood Stainless Steel Folding Knife with Virobloc Lock

Carried one of these for years before finally picking up the No.09 for bigger camp tasks. The Virobloc locks up rock solid, the beech handle only looks better with use, and the stainless blade takes an edge in seconds. For twelve bucks it's absurd.

Splits kindling fuzz sticks, preps food, does everything I ask at the fire. Lock ring works smoothly.

Blade steel is better than the price suggests and it holds an edge through a weekend of whittling. The Virobloc was stiff out of the box but loosened up after a week. Handles food prep and camp chores with no complaints.

There's a reason this design has barely changed in a century. It's honest, it works, and it feels right in the hand. Bought three—one for the truck, one for the tackle box, one for my son.

Cuts beautifully and the size is great for bushcraft, but mine has a slight blade wobble even with the lock engaged. Not dangerous, just noticeable. May tighten up over time with the wood swelling.

I've spent real money on folders and keep coming back to this. Thin slicing blade, dead simple, easy to sharpen on anything. The patina and handle wear just make it yours.

The No.09 is substantial for a slip joint—bigger than I expected from photos. That's actually what I wanted for food prep at camp. Took off one star because the blade took a few stropping sessions to get where I like it.

Honestly just buy it. Smooth action once broken in, lock is confidence-inspiring, blade is razor sharp.

Function is fine but mine arrived with a gritty, scratchy opening action that didn't smooth out even after cleaning and oiling. Might be a dud. The blade and handle are lovely, at least.

Every picnic, every mushroom hunt, this was the knife in my mother's basket. Now my grandchildren each have one. The No.09 is the right size for real work, and the steel today is better than what we had decades ago. Some things shouldn't change.