History of Opinel

The story of Opinel knives, a quintessential tool emblematic of French craftsmanship and ingenuity, begins in the picturesque setting of the French Alps, in the small town of Gevoudaz, Savoie. It was there, at the start of the 19th century, that Victor-Amédée Opinel set up his forge, utilizing the local rapid stream, Arvan, to power his tools. Victor-Amédée was skilled in making a variety of blades, including nails, axes, and plow blades, but it was his grandson Joseph Opinel who would carve a lasting legacy into the halls of cutlery history.

Joseph Opinel, following in his grandfather's footsteps, initially joined the family business, working alongside his father. However, Joseph was inspired to innovate beyond the traditional tools being forged. His pivotal creation came in 1890, when, against his father’s wishes, he crafted the first Opinel folding knife. This knife was designed with a wooden handle that fit perfectly in the hand and a steel blade that was both efficient and elegant. Joseph's design was practical and suited to the needs of local farmers and workers, which earned it rapid local acclaim.

Realizing the potential of his creation, Joseph formalized the range of Opinel knives in 1897, numbering them from No.1 to No.13, each size serving different purposes, from cleaning smoking pipes to cutting large pieces of meat. The Opinel No.7 and Opinel No.8 models, in particular, became especially popular and remain so to this day.

- Opinel was founded by Joseph Opinel in 1890

- Founded in Gevoudaz, Savoie

- Against his fathers wishes, Joseph Opinel crafted the first Opinel folding knife in 1890

- Realizing the potential of his creation, Joseph formalized the range of Opinel knives, No.1 -No.13

Joseph's ingenuity also extended to the manufacturing process. One technical challenge was how to craft a handle that was strong yet hollow enough to house the folding blade. His solution was to invent a circular saw that removed just enough wood from the handle without compromising its strength.

In 1901, Joseph established the first Opinel factory near his workshop and began to industrialize production. The brand gained international recognition in 1911 when it received a gold medal at the Alpine International Show in Turin. By 1915, Joseph had moved the factory to Cognin, near Chambery, to be closer to better transportation links, which facilitated broader distribution of his knives across France.

- In 1901, Joseph Opinel established the first Opinel factory

- In 1911, Opinel received a gold medal at the Apline International Show in Turin

- In 1915, Joseph moved the factory to Cognin, France

A significant innovation came in 1955 when Joseph’s son, Marcel, introduced the Virobloc or ring lock system, which allowed the blade to be locked in place, enhancing the safety of the knife. This feature was later refined to lock the blade both when opened and closed.

Opinel continued to evolve and gain accolades over the decades. In 1985, the Victoria and Albert Museum in London recognized the Opinel knife as one of the 100 best designs in the world, an accolade shared with icons like the Porsche 911 and Rolex watches. The introduction of stainless steel blades in 1986 marked another milestone, broadening the appeal and functionality of the knives.

- In 1955, Opinel introduced to Virobloc

- In 1985, Opinel knives were recognized by the Victoria and Albert Museum in London as one of the 100 best designs in the world

Today, the Opinel knife is celebrated not only for its design but also for its role in French culture and beyond. It has been used by famous figures such as Pablo Picasso for sculpting and by numerous adventurers and chefs. Opinel knives have also been recognized as a symbol of enduring quality and are included in the 2006 Phaidon Design Classic list of the 999 most perfectly designed items.

Throughout its history, Opinel has maintained its reputation through the careful protection of its designs, trademarks, and patents, which has shielded it from competition and counterfeiting. This proactive approach has kept the brand strong even as other famous knives, like the Laguiole, faced challenges from knock-offs.

- Opinel was included in the 2006 Phaidon Design Classic list of the 999 most perfectly designed items