Opinel - History

AN INTERNATIONAL PRESENCE

Opinel Throughout the world

The firm OPINEL employs today 95 persons, all based in Chambery.

Through this 100% French production, OPINEL S.A manufactures
4 million units per year of which 40% are exported to the 5 continents.
In one century 210,000,000 knives have been sold in the world...

Today, OPINEL offers to the hobbyists and to the professionals,
a set of closing tools, made of wood and steel, robust and reliable,
ingenious in its creation and easy to use.

VISIT THE OPINEL MUSEUM

Mr Maurice Opinel and Bill de Vink from Tawonga Distribution and Imports at the new factory in Chambery, France 2004

No visit to France is complete for the knife collector or Opinel enthusiast without a visit to the Opinel Museum in Saint Jean de Maurienne. View the original machinery used 100 years ago as well as videos of the manufacturing process.

On entering the village of Saint Jean de Maurienne one is left in no doubt that this was the birthplace of the famous Opinel knife range. A giant Opinel features in the centre of the village roundabout.

A CENTENARIAN STORY

1890: Sturdy, rustic, practical, the most simple knife in the world is born at the end of the XIX century, in Maurienne in a mountain village in the Savoy. It is in Albiez-le-Vieux that Joseph OPINEL, maker of edge-tools's son and grandson, creates the form of the closing knife that is called after his name: Since 1890 he manufactures it in twelve sizes, numbered from 1 to 12.

1909: Joseph OPINEL registers his first trademark of cutlery. In 1565, the King of France, Charles IX, ordered every cutler to insert an emblem on their products, to guarantee the origin and the quality. In respect to this tradition, Joseph OPINEL chose "the crowned hand".

This right hand, called the blessing hand of St lean Baptiste with three fingers raised and two folded, appears on the armorial bearings of St Jean de Maurienne. The crown placed upon the hand recalls that the Savoy was a Duchy.

1911: Through door-to-door salesmen and local shopkeepers, the OPINEL knife gradually becomes well known. It is already sold in Italy and Switzerland before 1914 and its quality is rewarded when Joseph OPINEL obtains the Gold Medal at the Alpine Exhibition in Turin in 1911.

OPINEL factory in 1932

1920: To meet increasing demand, Opinel relocated to the city of Chambrey.

1939: 20 million OPINEL knives have already been sold.

1955: In a search for improvement of the reliability of the product, the system of the turning safety ring called Virobloc is created. The blade is locked in the open position for a total safety of use. In 2000 this ingenious system will be used to lock the blade closed, offering complete safety for carrying and storage.

Present site in Chambery

1973: As the firm develops, the factory of La Reveriaz in Chambery opens its doors and specializes in the manufacture of wooden handles.

1981: An assembly shop and a logistic platform are added.

Joseph Opinel managed the company until 1960, assisted by his sons Marcel and Leon. Since 1974 his grandson Maurice became Chairman and Managing Director supported by his son Denis. A remarkable and amazing family effort of quality workmanship, endeavour and tradition.

A SYMBOL OF TRADITION

Many people, since 1890, are fanatics of OPINEL, because of its reliability and simplicity.

Known or unknown, artists and craftsmen, adventurers or just walkers, for every body, to have an OPINEL is not ordinary: it is a way of life and genuineness.

So, Pablo PICASSO used it to carve little stones like women's profiles and heads of bull...

In 1959 it saves Pierre PAQUET's life, mountain guide, Roger FRISONROCHE had it always in his pocket, even in Paris ...

In 1986 it is again thanks to the OPINEL that Alain COLAS, the famous navigator, could release his leg and save his own life. Eric TABARLY declared to be a supporter of the "crowned hand"...

In 1986 the knife is the faithful companion of Jean-Louis ETIENNE, during his expedition to the pole...

The most famous names of French cooking consider the OPINEL as being an object that never leaves their pocket...

The OPINEL, it is also an object that symbolizes an atmosphere, a way of life which has inspired every kind of literature (novels, adventure stories, detective novels, essays) and so many famous writers...

The first article about OPINEL has been published in 1913 and from this moment, a lot of others have been counted in France and all over the world (Japan , Russia , and United States)...

In 1985, the VICTORIA and ALBERT MUSEUM of London selects the OPINEL to appear in the “The Good Design Guide", an anthology of the 100 most beautiful objects in the world.

OPINEL has been quoted in the catalogue of the Modern Art Museum of New York. It is known in the United States as the French Country Knife...

In 1989, the OPINEL is listed into LE LAROUSSE among the registered names. it is officially part of the French heritage...

A ONE AND ONLY KNOW-HOW

The manufacturing of all Opinel products is done entirely "in-house", hence all products are 100% French made.

Opinel has shown its independence by having its own design. research and development departments.

Since manufacturing commenced in 1890, machinery used in the manufacturing process have mainly been built by Opinel themselves.

	Manufacture of a blade: Stamping the blade from flat steel is accomplished by a 120 ton press. The blades are hardened and tempered by special processes to achieve the highest quality blade possible. Finally the blade is ground and in some instances polished. Manufacture of a handle: All handles commence as small rectangular blocks of seasoned timber. Through five machining processes the final shape and size is produced. The handles are then tumbled and varnished. Finally the Opinel logo is added. Assembly of knife: The blade and handle are assembled in an automated process. The locking system is applied and tested individually for correct tension and the knife is given a final inspection. At the start of the third millenium, Opinel employ modern production prcesses. Orders from world wide are programmed for production and packaging as they are required. Taking generally less than a week from the receipt of order to manufacture and shipping of the product. Opinel combine a unique heritage of outstanding quality with modern technology.