The Opinel No.18 Folding Saw is France's version of the Silky Gomboy 210 and Bahco Laplander saws that are so popular with gardeners and survivalists. All three saws are equivalent in quality and cutting performance, but of course only the Opinel has the classic, French-Rustic looks and charm that make it a delight to behold and use.
The sawtooth blade is 19cm long and cuts on the pull stroke to minimize the risk of breaking the thin blade during use. The blade material is carbon steel with an anti-corrosion coating.
The No.18 Folding Saw departs from the traditional Opinel design and Virobloc mechanism that locks the blade in both open and closed positions. The blade on the No.18 will lock only in the open position. In the closed position, the No18's blade is held only by friction. There is a very good reason Opinel departed from its icon Virobloc on this saw: the blade is replaceable by the user whenever it dulls or breaks. Opinel makes available replacement blades for the No.18.
The wood handle is varnished beechwood and features a hole near the pommel for a lanyard if you want one.
Dimensions are 23cm folded and 41cm deployed. Weight is 182g.
Made in France.
If you do not require this much cutting potential and want something smaller and handier, look at the Opinel No.12 Folding Saw Knife. Unlike the larger No.18, the smaller No.12 has the iconic Opinel Virobloc locking system that can lock the sawtooth blade in both the open and closed positions. The No.12's blade is not replaceable and is intended for lighter-duty use than the No.18. If you intended to use your saw a lot, get the No.18.
Keep your saw in top working condition with Opinel Maintenance Oil. Maintenance Oil will protect the sawtooth blade against corrosion and keep the lock mechanism turning smoothly. Maintenance Oil will also penetrate the beechwood handle and prevent it from cracking when dry and rotting when wet. If you are sawing a particularly tough branch, you can even lubricate the saw's blade with Maintenance Oil to prevent it from clogging or binding in the wood.
Opinel Part Number - 001198
Universal Product Code - 312840011986
