Opinel’s authentic and timeless No. 08 folding knife has gotten even prettier. The brand new Sampo Curly Birch restricted version 08 trades out the already basic wooden deal with for one constructed from a particular Nordic silver birch. The brand new design provides a singular splash of depth and shade to a knife that is already some of the naturally aesthetic out there, and it does so at a fraction of the worth that different particular version knives would possibly set you again.
In a world market more and more outlined by polarized decisions between low-cost, poorly constructed knock-offs and well-made originals with exorbitant value tags, we’re at all times excited to seek out designs which might be each well-made and reasonably priced. We take into account Opinel’s lineup of folding knives to be an archetypal instance. Its folders are made within the French Alps, function a easy, useful design that simply works, and are extra lovely than most, besides. We significantly just like the intuitive ring lock that retains the blade safe throughout use and ensures simple open/shut.
After we first went looking for an Opinel, we had been anticipating value tags someplace within the $50 to $100 vary however had been (pleasantly) shocked to seek out that two of the corporate’s greatest sellers – the No. 07 and No. 08 – every price a mere $19. We figured it was some sort of particular sale or closeout however then realized that is simply the MSRP. In truth, plenty of Opinel’s different folding knives value at or under $20, with the bulk coming in underneath $50. And a restricted lifetime guarantee is included, as nicely.
The brand new No. 08 Sampo Curly Birch is not fairly as low-priced as these originals, however at $70, it is nicely lower than you would possibly spend on a special-edition folder from different brand-name knife makers. And it brings the basic wood-handled Opinel aesthetic up a notch with a curly birch sourced sustainably from Finland’s Karelia forests.
As Opinel explains, the acute circumstances of this explicit birch’s habitat trigger it to twist whereas rising, creating completely different laborious and gentle layers that contribute to the swirling marble-like patterns. The corporate says the wooden will vary from pale yellow to mild brown with variable veining, which ought to give every deal with a glance distinct from the following.
Past the brand new wooden, every knife has the identical sort of options that made the No. 8 one among Opinel’s greatest sellers within the first place: a 3.2-in (8.1-cm) chrome steel blade, a smooth-folding motion, and a “Virobloc” ring lock that twists simply for locking and unlocking the blade in each open and closed positions.
As for the “Sampo” identify, it is used to indicate a magical object in Finnish mythology that introduced wealth to those that possessed it. It was finally stolen and misplaced or destroyed, leaving nobody who is aware of what it seems to be like. May it truly be the No. 08 Sampo Curly Birch, Opinel asks playfully.
The Sampo price ticket will not be as a lot of an obstacle as with different particular version knives, however availability might be. Opinel plans to launch the Sampo within the US across the first week of November and can provide solely 300 examples. The knife is already listed as “offered out,” however these nonetheless can drop of their electronic mail on the hyperlink under for information and notifications.
Supply: Opinel