Is the OP looking for a general purpose knife or a fighting knife? Two different animals.
The Opinel is a great edc knife for general use. Contrary to some beliefs, the wood handle will not swell much if treated right when you get the knife. I've experimented with mine and after being totally submerged in a glass of water for 30 minutes, will still open and close well. The swelling issue is over blown. When new, lube the joint well with food grade mineral oil. In fact, just set the knife down in a shot glass of the stuff hinge down. Let it soak in for a while. Wipe off and carry. Maybe once a month lube the joint with the mineral oil by dropping a few drops in and just go with it. Once the wood around the pivot is well lubed with the mineral oil, the knife gets pretty water resistant.
The stainless bladed Opinel's are Sandvick 12C27, same as used by the Swedish Frosts mora knives. Very good stuff, better intact than the carbon steel that Opinel uses.
If your looking for a knife to use for defense, the Opinel can be made to flip open with one hand very easy. They do this in France where the Opinel is popular with Paris street thugs because is can be ditched without much loss and replaced easy. But I don't bother with it as I just don't see a knife for a defensive weapon. If attacked by someone with a knife, just keep the heck away from it by blocking with anything in reach. Going knife on knife in a fight is Hollyweird BS. The winner of a knife fight is the guy who goes tot he ER instead of the morgue, or goes to the morgue later than the looser.
For a general use cutting tool, an Opinel is tough to beat. For a defense weapon, carry something to bash with. Works better than a knife.
