The Opinel story
Opinel tells you its history. Where did it all start? Where does the crowned hand symbol found on all Opinel knives come from? Since 1890, generations of Opinel cutlers have forged metal in traditional style to bring you authentic quality knives.
1800
Blacksmiths from father to son
The Opinel family starts to forge metal.
1872
Birth of Joseph Opinel
Birth of Joseph Opinel at Gévoudaz in Savoie.
1890
Family workshop
Edgetool maker at Albiez-Le-Vieux, a small village near Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne in Savoie, Joseph Opinel manufactures the first Opinel knives.
1897
Series no. 1 to no. 12
The series of ten sizes numbered 1 to 12 is developed.
1901
First factory
Joseph Opinel builds his first factory at Pont de Gévoudaz and produces a machine to make the handles.
1909
The crowned hand
Joseph Opinel registers his first cutlery trademark and chooses "The Crowned Hand" as its emblem."
1911
Gold Medal
Gold Medal at the Alpine International Exhibition in Turin (Italy).
1914
Mass production
The start of mass production.
1915
Moving to Chambéry
Joseph Opinel buys an abandoned tannery at Cognin (outskirts of Chambéry), along with its waterfall, the Hyères canal, to set up his factory.
1920
Family business
Installed in the new factory, Joseph, ably assisted by his two sons, Marcel and Léon, expands Opinel both industrially and commercially.
1926
Reconstruction and inauguration
The factory is destroyed by fire. A new, modern factory is built and inaugurated at end 1927.
1930
Opinel machines
Marcel Opinel concocts special production machines.
1939
End of production
Production of nos. 1 and 11 is halted.
1950
Third generation
Maurice Opinel joins father Marcel, uncle Léon and grandfather Joseph in managing the business.
1955
Safety ring
The safety ring is invented, a simple and effective system which greatly improves the original knife.
1960
Death of Joseph Opinel
Death of Joseph Opinel at the age of 88.
1973
Installation in Chambéry
Construction of a new automated production site for wooden handles in Chambéry.
1981
Reorganisation of sites
Installation on the Chambéry site (Savoie) of an assembly shop and logistics platform.
1985
Recognition for Opinel
Opinel finds fame in the Victoria and Albert Museum among the hundred best designs in the world alongside the Porsche 911 and the Rolex watch.
1989
Dictionary entry
Opinel is entered in Larousse® as a registered trademark become a household word.
2000
Virobloc system
The Virobloc system is altered to ensure transport safety (the blade can be locked in the closed position))
2003
Head office
Building and opening of the new head office on the Chambéry la Révériaz site.
2006
Phaidon Design Classics
In "Phaidon Design Classics", Opinel is recognised as one of the most successful 999 designs of all time by a panel of international designers
