In December, I added the Opinel No.12 Saw to my lighter weight hiking & camping kits and have spent a considerable amount of time with it since then. Many of you who have followed me for a while will know, I’m a huge fan of Opinel Knives. In fact, I’ve sold almost all of my higher dollar folding knives because I carry these budget-friendly slicers almost exclusively. So, that brings me to the question – How are the Opinel saws?
Opinel No 12 Saw
To begin, the No. 12 Saw is what you would expect from Opinel. It’s lightweight, simple in operation, has a classic design and sports a fair price tag.
- Blade Length: 5″ (4.5″ cutting edge)
- Opened Length: 11 1/4″
- Weight: 3.8oz
- Beechwood Handle
- 12C27 Sandvik Stainless Steel (I’m a fan of this steel)
- It utilizes Opinel’s classic “Virobloc Safety Ring”
- Price: $32-35 on Amazon (prices may vary when you’re reading this)
In short, if you’re familiar with other Opinel Knives, you’re going to catch on quickly with the Opinel No 12 Saw. They mimic each others design aesthetic and operation almost identically.
Opinel No 12 Saw Performance
The Opinel No.12 Saw performs well within its limitations. Due to the saws 4.5″ cutting edge (teeth beginning & ending) you’re going to be limited to cutting wood that is around 3 – 3 1/2″ in diameter. This will not be the saw to bring along on a trip where a really long lasting fire is of top priority (due to needing large logs for such a fire). But for general cooking fires, this saw is perfect. It’s also worth mentioning that this saw is a great addition to a bushcraft tool kit. The Opinel No 12 is perfect for cutting off excess material from a spoon carving project, making stop cuts, creating little notches, etc.
My last comment on the No.12’s performance would go towards the saw’s tendency to bind in wood. I have found that this saw binds a bit more than my previous Silky Pocketboy and my current Silky Gomboy. The blade is also stiffer than the Silky’s…So you can decide what you prefer in that regard.
I personally reach for my Opinel No.12 Saw for lighter duty jobs and my Silky’s for the heavier tasks.
Opinel No 12 Saw Ergonomics
I really love the handle of the Opinel No.12 Saw…In fact, it might just be my favorite folding saw handle.
Directly behind the safety ring, you have around 5 1/4″ of grip area which leads out to a downward swoop/flare that keeps your hand from sliding backgrounds during use.
The handle is smooth Beechwood. So there’s no aggressive rubber like a Silky saw or any kind of traction. In my use, I’ve found that the smooth handle has not given me any issues during bare-handed use or use with leather gloves.
Opinel No 12 Beechwood
I have mixed feelings about the Opinel Beechwood handles. They have a classic look, which I love. And they age very nicely. But, if they become subject to moisture or extreme temperatures (which they will in the outdoors), the handles tend to swell quite a bit.
In the case of my Opinel No.12 Saw this can lead to the saw blade becoming really ‘sticky’ to open and close at times. While other times it will open and close very easily. So, be mindful that the wood will swell and contract from time to time, changing the resistance of opening and closing the blade.
Opinel No 12 Saw Size
One of the first things you’ll notice when you pick up a No.12 Saw is the size. I don’t know why I thought it was going to be smaller, but I was quite shocked by the 6 1/2″ closed length. And the handle is certainly not as thin as I was thinking either. Both of these things are wins in my book and made me like it even more.
Where does this saw fit within a kit?
I am a huge fan of putting together kits that work well together and help serve a distinct purpose. For me, the Opinel No 12 Saw fits perfectly into a lightweight kit as you see above. As you’ll notice, all of the gear in this photo is lightweight, can be carried on your person (for the most part) and it serves most of our foundational needs in the backcountry (eating, drinking, staying warm/dry and making a fire).
For me, this is the saw I bring along when I need something quick, simple and lightweight for a small fire or twig stove.
Opinel No 12 Saw Review (7.5 out of a 10)
As you can tell, I really like this saw and it’s a staple within certain kits of mine. There are a few drawbacks to consider, however. For instance, the wood swelling – I really wish Opinel would figure out a solution to fix this. And for me, personally, the Opinel No 12 Saw hasn’t fully replaced its competing options (ie: Silky Saws).
Even with these minor drawbacks, the Opinel No 12 Saw is still my go-to when I need something ultra-lightweight and simple.
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Ethics Statement: Opinel did not give the No.12 Saw to me or offer any kind of compensation for this content. Additionally, they have not proof-read or influenced this article in any way. All opinions, statements, and content are my own.
