We do not bring a kitchen knife from home when we camp. Instead, my wife and I have used a small Opinel knife with a carbon steel blade for about two years. Here is what we like about it, what to watch out for, and what visitors should know about carrying knives in Japan.
What is an Opinel?
Opinel is a French knife brand. Its knives have a simple wooden handle and a folding blade, and most sizes have a rotating ring (Virobloc) that locks the blade open or closed. The bigger the number, the longer the blade. Sizes No.8 and No.9 are popular for camping.
What we like
It cuts almost anything
We use it as our kitchen knife at camp, mostly for cutting food. It is sharp, so it cuts almost anything easily. I used to work in the restaurant business, and I sharpen it regularly.
What to watch out for
It gets stiff when wet
The handle is wood. When it got wet, the wood swelled and the blade became hard to open. Now we wipe it dry after every use.
Carbon steel rusts quickly
Our knife has a carbon steel blade. If water stays on it, it rusts, so we wipe it off right away.
Carbon or stainless?
| Point | Carbon steel | Stainless steel |
|---|---|---|
| Rust | Wipe it dry right away | More resistant |
| Care | Many owners dry it, then oil it lightly | Wash, then dry |
| Sharpening | Often said to be easier | Often said to take more effort |
If you want easy care, choose stainless. If you enjoy sharpening, carbon is a good choice.
Carrying a knife in Japan
This part is based on research, not legal advice. In Japan, carrying a blade longer than 6 cm (about 2.4 in) without a valid reason is illegal, and even shorter knives can cause trouble if you carry them around for no clear reason. Taking a knife to a campsite to cook is generally treated as a valid reason, but keep it packed with your camping gear, use a cover, and do not carry it around town. We only bring small knives, so this has never been a problem for us.
Summary
A small Opinel is a simple, sharp camp kitchen knife. The carbon version needs a little care: dry it after every use, and keep it away from water to avoid a stiff handle.
More about camping in Japan
→ Camping in Japan: A Local’s Guide for First-Timers (Amazon)
