Opinel’s long history of knife production

I restore an old French Opinel pocket knife No. 7, a classic knife from one of France’s most iconic makers. Opinel was founded in 1890 by Joseph Opinel in the French Alps and has been producing simple, reliable knives for over 130 years. Known for their wooden handles and timeless design, Opinel knives became famous around the world for their practicality and durability.

This particular knife was made before 1955, identified by its unique early locking mechanism used on Opinel models from that period. In this video, I carefully disassemble the knife, remove rust and years of wear, clean and polish every part, restore the wooden handle, and bring this vintage piece of French history back to life.

Story about “Palm” Knife

The Palm knife was a French folding knife inspired by the Spanish Navaja, a famous locking knife from the late 18th century. Unlike the Navaja, which was often linked to fighting, the Palm knife became known as a practical tool for everyday use.

It featured a wooden or horn handle and a unique backspring lock shaped like a palm leaf (palme in French), which gave the knife its name. This lever lock was safer and easier to use than the older pull-ring system of the Navaja.

By the early 1900s, the Palm knife was popular with hunters, farmers, and workers because of its durability and secure locking blade.

When World War I began in 1914, the French military urgently needed trench knives. Thousands of Palm knives were taken from factory stocks and issued to soldiers, with over 46,000 delivered by September 1914.

However, the knife was not ideal for combat. Its blade was thin, the pivot was weak, and the handle lacked a guard, making it unsafe in close fighting.

Although not successful as a weapon, the Palm knife remains an important historical knife valued for its clever design and practical everyday use.

The Camillus knife maker journey

The Camillus knife is a well-known American-made utility and military knife produced by the Camillus Cutlery Company. Founded in 1876 by Edward J. Camillus, the company began as a small knife-making operation in Camillus, New York.

By the time of World War I and II, Camillus had become one of the leading suppliers of military knives to the U.S. Armed Forces. The company’s expertise in military and survival knives continued to grow throughout the years. It produced a wide range of knives, from basic utility knives to specialized combat blades, catering to different branches of the U.S. military and other defense contractors. Military Use One of the most famous knives produced by Camillus was the Camillus WWII U.S. Army fighting knife.

During the Korean War and the Vietnam War, the Camillus brand continued to supply the U.S. military with knives. Many soldiers received the U.S. Military Utility Knife, also known as the Ka-Bar-style knife, which was produced by Camillus and closely resembled the famous Ka-Bar knives but at a more affordable cost.

Craftsmanship: Camillus knives were known for their use of high-carbon steel and durable handles made from materials like wood, plastic, and leather. They were built to last in tough conditions.

After decades of success, the Camillus Cutlery Company faced financial difficulties in the 2000s. Despite its rich history, the company eventually filed for bankruptcy in 2007. However, the Camillus legacy lives on through vintage knives and collectors, with many models still highly prized by knife enthusiasts and historians.h restoration.