Opinel Brunch Knife
Opinel's Brunch Knife might be the new favorite knife you never knew you needed: a breakfast knife that actually cuts. The blade is partially serrated to slice crusty toast and chewy sausages—it's not overly sharp, just keen enough to get the job done without a struggle. The 4.5-inch broad blade and rounded tip are very effective at scraping the bottom of jars and spreading butter and jam on toast. Choose between a natural beechwood or blood orange handle, both of which have sleek, classic designs that will match any table setting. To keep your knife in good condition, we recommend hand-washing and drying promptly.
Opinel No. 8 Stainless Steel Pocket Knife
French company Opinel's flagship No. 8 size has been produced virtually unchanged since 1890. Its 3.25-inch blade is made of high-grade Swedish Sandvik steel that holds an edge well, tunes up easily on any sharpening device and is thin enough to slice beautifully through delicate foods. We especially love the French company's ingenious “virobloc” collar-style lock, which firmly holds the blade in place by twisting sideways—it's far easier to use than most any other locking-blade knife and basically removes any risk of the blade folding onto exposed fingers. And the contoured wood handle nestles perfectly into the palm for firm control, making it a terrific choice for close hand work, like peeling garlic cloves or slicing apples.
Opinel N°117 Spreading Knife
This knife from French company Opinel has a broad blade that is ideal for all of your butter, jams and nut or seed butter, and its shorter length also allows for more control when slicing solid terrines or hearty tapenades. We like to think of it as a multifunctional cousin of the company's Brunch Knife, with the compact shape designed exclusively for spreading. Made with high-grade Swedish stainless steel, it's durable and dishwasher-safe, while the varnish wood handle is smooth, comfortable to hold and will continue to look beautiful over time.
Opinel Slim No.10 Olive Wood Handle Folding Knife
Originally designed for filleting fish, this slender knife from French company Opinel makes quick work of any general task. The 10-centimeter blade—just shy of 4 inches—is large enough to cut loaves of bread, slice fruit and do anything else a picnic, beach trip or BBQ can throw at it. It’s as good for trimming twine or opening packages as it is as carving paper-thin slices of sausage or sawing through a tough baguette. We especially love Opinel's ingenious “virobloc” collar-style lock, which firmly holds the blade in place by twisting sideways—it's far easier to use than most any other locking-blade knife and basically removes any risk of the blade folding onto exposed fingers. The Swedish Sandvik steel used for the blade is durable, impervious to corrosion and holds an edge for eternity, while the ergonomic olive wood handle feels great in the hand and develops a beautiful patina over time.