The story Opinel is one of the fabulous destiny of a little Savoyard folding knife invented by Joseph Opinel in 1890 which quickly became an item emblematic of French culture and elevated itself as a world design icon. A family story at the heart of the French Alps, for 133 years.

Joseph Opinel, born into a blacksmithing family first produced his Opinel knives in 1890 against his father's wishes. In stark contrast to the Swiss Army knife which was created only a year later, Opinel sought to construct a knife that was simple, comfortable and convenient to use. Developing into a range of sizes, the knife was slowly adopted by the working class as a necessary tool for everyday life. 

All Opinel products are handmade from their headquarters in Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, Savoie, France where the family-run company also operates a museum dedicated to its knives.

Sustainability is top of mind at Opinel - from the materials they use and the manufacturing process to the packaging. They source quality materials to make the best products for affordable prices believing a good tool should be accessible to everyone.