>>472533What kind of "survival" are you planning on "surviving" with this knife? Did you see it in other posts and decided to buy it just like that? Did you hold it in your hands?
I have a 6, and an 8. Opinels are fine for car camping, for food preparation, and they have some serious limitations. It's strengths and weaknesses lie in it's simplistic design and built.
There are two versions you can get: a carbon steel (good sharp edge, rusts), or stainless (decent edge, no rust).
Wooden handle swells up when exposed to humidity - so you won't find these carried around in jungles much. This can be prevented by soaking up the handle in a teak oil, or linseed oil (preferred if blade will be for food).
A characteristic design allows it to be opened when a bit swollen - by tapping with the hande on a hard surface - but if it really gets saturated with moisture the knife won't budge.
Locking mechanism is the simplest thing you could come up with, it will suffice for basic stuff, but don't trust it with your fingers! Occasionally needs tightening up WHILE using the knife to prevent the blade from collapsing - just in case.
>I wanted to buy this one, and I'd recommend it for you: http://www.opinel.com/en/pocket-knives-and-tools/specialists/outdoor/n8-outdoor-land/red .This one is made with water sports in mind so it will work for outdoors too. The handle is made out of a composite, the blade has a serrated edge - which helps with cutting ropes, an opeining in the blade to give you leverage to open up schackles, it has a whistle in a handle, and there is a small lanyard that could be replaced with some other lanyard loop or string.
