While pet sitting for a friend recently, I realized he had an Opinel problem. Placed throughout his house were No. 8s, 10s, and 6s, all of which served a purpose in his home and his pocket.
A No. 8 sat on a shelf in his bathroom. A specialty version of the No. 10 lingered near a bottle of wine on the counter in his kitchen. And a couple of No. 6 knives lay in wait — one on the mantle above his fireplace, and another in a cup full of paintbrushes. Though our friendship affords him almost any knife he’d want, he clearly was onto something — and I’m here for it.
A mainstay in the knife world since 1890, Opinel has done little to veer away from its original recipe. Aside from the addition of a Virobloc locking system in the 1950s, much of the core lineup resembles what Joseph Opinel built in his workshop more than a century ago. Why? The design is simple yet reliable, the cutting performance is top-notch, and the core line of knives remains affordable.
Last year, Opinel debuted its Opiflex lock on a version of the No. 6 model — the Néo6. The Opiflex acts as a blade lock without being an actual lock; it uses a detent. Considering there are restrictions on lock mechanisms on folding knives sprinkled throughout the world, this is a wonderful and effective workaround. The rounded tip of the 2.75-inch stainless steel blade seals the deal.
In short: With the Néo6, Opinel created a knife that does not violate any rules or restrictions. It’s affordable, dependable, and sized right for both kids and adults for a lifetime in a pocket, purse, pack, or satchel.
Specifications
Pros & Cons
Pros
- Opiflex lock keeps this knife legal all over the world
- The olivewood body is beautiful
- Simple, lightweight design
- Nothing slices like a fresh Opinel
Cons
- It's not the best choice for a knife fight
- You’ll never just settle on one Opinel knife
- Whether you pick an Opinel with a carbon blade or stainless blade, you’re both right and wrong at the same time
Opinel Néo6 Review
Design & Features
With an olivewood body and an Inox stainless steel blade, the Néo6 is nearly double the price of the standard No. 6. However, $40 is still a steal in 2026 for a reliable EDC knife.
The No. 6 is lauded for its compact size (6.5 inches overall), which is a little more than an inch shorter than its flagship No. 8. Not only does it make the knife great for kids and people with smaller hands, but its 2.75-inch blade length makes it legal to carry in places where the No. 8 would be restricted.
And replacing the Virobloc with the Opiflex on the Néo6 broadens that spectrum of where you can carry it. The Opiflex isn’t really a lock, it’s a detent. This keeps the blade open (or closed), but could still allow for the blade to fold closed under heavy pressure.
And because some knife restrictions center around preventing their use for violence, the addition of a rounded tip makes this knife an effective choice for stabbing a jar of peanut butter and spreading it on an apple, not fending off an assailant.
First Impressions
I put Opinel in a totally different category from other knives because of its historical and cultural significance. And, aside from a Swiss Army Knife, it’s a knife I would give to one of my kids without hesitation — the Néo6’s rounded tip all but seals the deal.
Like my buddy, I have a bunch of Opinel knives hanging around the house. But the Néo6 is a special beauty. The upscale olivewood body, paired with the familiar lightweight design, makes this a joy to carry in the pocket for just about any occasion.
In the Field
There’s a little bit of opulence associated with an Opinel. It’s well-suited for an afternoon at a winery, or slicing open a bag of candy in the parking lot of your favorite country store. It’s unassuming. No one really took notice when I opened it up to use it, as opposed to flicking open the standard fare of modern EDC knives.
Aside from corrosion resistance, the Inox steel doesn’t really excel at anything, at least not compared to all the other modern knife steels out there. It’s akin to kitchen knife steel more than anything, so I’ve had to hone it a couple of times. I did a few puncture tests to see if the blade would fold in or even bend, and I am happy to report that, while I didn’t stab myself, the Opiflex lock kept the blade in the open position without bending.
Overall, you could use this knife in survival scenarios, but it’s more attuned to day-to-day life scenarios.
In Conclusion
In some cases, I would take an EDC knife out into the woods and make a tinder bundle or feather stick. But the Néo6, with its style and heritage, is more about cutting flowers for a loved one. It’s a gentle knife.
The Néo6 is a change of pace, although I still find myself trying to twist the collar to lock the blade. I believe this is a great knife for kids and adults looking for a casual, yet capable knife. It would make a great stocking stuffer on Christmas morning, or something special to hand to your daughter, who just turned 13.
For European readers, this knife might just be the solution for all those looking for a knife with you that won’t get you fined or arrested. The Opiflex lock will keep the blade open, while still respecting the laws and regulations for knives in your area.
