Stainless Steel — Opinel

The Stainless collection is Opinel's stainless steel pocket knife range and one of the best-sellers on AZ boutique. Keeping the iconic Opinel folding silhouette, it replaces the historic carbon steel blade with a stainless steel one, particularly suited to damp uses.

The Stainless collection's specificity

The Stainless range keeps the full Opinel DNA — beechwood handle, folding blade, Virobloc safety ring — but uses Sandvik 12C27 stainless steel that does not oxidise. This is the recommended option for fishing, the seaside, picnics or any use where the knife may stay damp.

• Stainless steel blade, no specific maintenance against rust
• French beechwood handle (other woods available on selected references: olive, walnut, oak)
• Virobloc safety ring from the n°6 (locks the blade open and closed)
• Made in France, in Chambéry (Savoie)

The most popular pieces in the Stainless collection

A few sizes account for most of the purchases on AZ boutique, around the flagship n°8.

• Opinel Stainless n°8 (8.5 cm blade): AZ boutique's best-selling piece, the reference size, versatile for picnics, hiking and daily use
• Opinel Stainless n°7 (8 cm blade): compact format for hunting, camping and picnics
• Opinel Stainless n°6 (7 cm blade): handy small format, for pocket or bag
• Opinel Stainless n°9 (9 cm blade): reinforced version for DIY and outdoor work
• Opinel Stainless n°8 with olive wood handle: precious-wood variant, more decorative

Choosing within the Stainless collection

Why is the Stainless collection well-known?

It is the "no-maintenance" version of the Opinel pocket knife: same historic silhouette, beech handle and Virobloc, but without the oxidation concern. It has become the most gifted French pocket knife and the most carried for hiking, picnics and outdoor activities.

Stainless or Carbon: which to choose?

Stainless is recommended for damp uses (fishing, seaside, rainy picnics) and for anyone wanting a knife requiring no anti-rust maintenance. Carbon is recommended for knife enthusiasts who accept maintenance in exchange for a sharper edge and a personalised patina.

Which size should I start with?

The n°8 is the natural entry point: it is Opinel's reference, all-round size. The n°7 or n°6 suit lighter, daily use. The n°9 is recommended if you want more power for DIY and gardening. Olive, walnut or oak handle variants are mainly chosen for aesthetics and gifting.

Is the Stainless Opinel dishwasher-safe?

No. Even though the blade is stainless, the wooden handle cannot withstand the dishwasher: it would swell and eventually jam the blade. Wash the knife by hand with warm soapy water and dry the handle to preserve the wood over the long term.

The Stainless collection on AZ boutique

Discover the Stainless range by Opinel on AZ boutique, from the n°6 to the n°9 and the precious-wood handle variants. To compare with the Carbon version, browse the Kitchen knives and Kitchenware sections.

Other Opinel collections to discover: Champignon, Mon Premier Opinel, Carbone, Couteaux De Poche.