The Opinel No.08 Animalia keeps the familiar folding-knife format and adds animal engraving to an oak handle. The decoration changes the knife’s appearance, not the basic No.08 design; the available regional listings also differ in which animals and specifications they document.
What’s different about the No.08 Animalia?
Animalia is Opinel’s engraved No.08 collection. Opinel’s U.S. listing describes pre-engraved animal designs on an oak-handled knife, including motifs such as bear, bison, moose, trout and bird dog. The French listing documents a Marmotte (marmot) version, while Opinel Japan lists Animalia America designs including Bison, Moose and Bear. These are regional examples, not proof that every market offers the same styles or SKU.
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The change is chiefly visual: animal artwork is engraved on the handle. The listings do not establish a different blade mechanism or a performance upgrade over other No.08 knives.
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Specifications depend on the regional version
Use the measurements attached to the specific listing rather than treating all Animalia knives as identical. Opinel’s U.S. page gives these figures for its Animalia listing; the French and Japanese figures below belong to their respective listings.
#1 Best Overall
- OLIVEWOOD: The mythical tree of the Mediterranean, this hard wood has a yellow to orange appearance with dense and often tortuous veining, soft to the touch with polished finish
- INOX BLADE: We use Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel. It is anti-corrosive thanks to the addition of chrome and requires no special maintenance. Carbon content of at least 0.40% provides an excellent cutting edge and is easily sharpened.
- THE CROWNED HAND: In 1565 King Charles IX commanded every knife maker to stamp an emblem on their products to guarantee their origin and quality. In 1909 in order to honor this tradition Joseph Opinel chose the Crowned Hand as his emblem
- PATENTED VIROBLOC: A hallmark of Opinel everyday carry knives since it’s invention in 1955, the Virobloc ring offers a unique, thoughtful, and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade during use, during transport, and during storage
- FRENCH HERITAGE: For over 130 years Opinel has been crafting knives and tools in the heart of the French Alps. Much like Joseph Opinel did from his workshop in 1890, today we still manufacture Opinel products from our factory in Chambery, France.
| Listing | Blade | Other listed details |
|---|---|---|
| Opinel USA No.08 Animalia | 3.28 inches; stainless steel | 7.59 inches overall; 1.6 ounces; oak handle. Opinel USA |
| Opinel France N°08 Animalia Marmotte | 8.5 cm; martensitic stainless steel, 55–57 HRC | Varnished, engraved oak handle; Opinel describes the steel as of European origin and the knife as made in France. Opinel France |
| Opinel Japan No.08 Moose, product 41626 | 85 mm; 1.8 mm thick; stainless steel | Approximately 192 mm overall; about 48 g; oak handle. Opinel Japan |
For context, Opinel Japan’s general No.08 overview gives a 8.5 cm blade, 9 cm handle and approximately 47 g for the classic format. Those are overview figures, not a replacement for a particular Animalia product page. Opinel Japan’s No.08 overview
What the familiar No.08 design does
Opinel Japan describes the No.08 as a five-part design: blade, handle, fixed ferrule, rivet and Virobloc safety ring. The maker says the ring locks the blade for use and transport. Opinel France specifies that the Marmotte version’s double safety collar locks the blade open or closed. These are the manufacturers’ descriptions, not independent safety or durability test results.
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- XC90 CARBON STEEL BLADE: Extremely hard thereby ing excellent cutting quality, good wear resistance, and easy regrinding. Carbon steel can corrode easily, maintain your knife by avoiding damp locations, and wipe and grease the Blade after use
- FLAGSHIP SIZE: The Number 8 is the most sold and versatile size in the ever-growing line of Opinel folding pocket Knives, earning its reputation as an everyday carry staple. 3.35” blade (8.5cm), open length 7.5” (19.5cm)
- PATENTED VIROBLOC: A hallmark of Opinel everyday carry knives since its invention in 1955, the Virobloc ring offers a unique, thoughtful, and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade during use, during Transport, and during storage
- SUSTAINABLE BEECH HANDLE: Our selection of wood is precise and meets strict standards for social responsibility and the environment. We select beech wood from ecologically managed French woodlands in the Alpine region and Jura Mountains
- AN ICON OF FRENCH CULTURE: Produced in the heart of the French Alps since 1890, Opinel knives draw simplicity and durability from their mountain roots. Opinel kitchen knives have been adopted worldwide and recognized as a design Icon
Opinel France also describes the blade as Yatagan-shaped, with an upswept point, and says its convex grind is intended to support strength and efficient resharpening. That is the maker’s explanation of the design; the cited product information does not report comparative testing.
Price, availability and accessories
The Gadgeteer article published October 2, 2026, reported a $30 price and Amazon as the retailer. That is a dated article report, not confirmation of a live price, stock or listing identity. Check that a current marketplace listing is the No.08 Animalia and shows the intended animal engraving before buying. The Gadgeteer’s October 2, 2026 article
Rank #3
- ANIMALIA COLLECTION: featuring pre-engraved designs on a No.08 stainless steel pocket knife, with an oak wood handle. Adorned with animals from around the world, from fish to bison, choose from the engraved variety to liven up your Opinel assortment
- FLAGSHIP SIZE: The Number 8 is the most sold and versatile size in the ever-growing line of Opinel folding pocket knives, earning its reputation as an everyday carry staple. 3. 35inch blade (8. 5cm), open length 7. 5 inches (19. 5cm)
- INOX BLADE: We use Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel. It is anti-corrosive thanks to the addition of chrome and requires no special maintenance. Carbon content of at least 0.40% provides an excellent cutting edge and is easily sharpened.
- PATENTED VIROBLOC: A hallmark of Opinel everyday carry knives since it’s invention in 1955, the Virobloc ring offers a unique, thoughtful, and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade during use, during transport, and during storage
- FRENCH HERITAGE: For over 130 years Opinel has been crafting knives and tools in the heart of the French Alps. Much like Joseph Opinel did from his workshop in 1890, today we still manufacture Opinel products from our factory in Chambery, France.
Opinel Great Britain’s pocket-knife range lists both a scabbard and the N°08 Animalia Marmotte, but the listing does not establish that the scabbard fits every Animalia No.08. Confirm fit for the exact version before ordering. Opinel Great Britain pocket-knife range
Quick Recap
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- INOX BLADE: We use Sandvik 12C27 modified stainless steel. It is anti-corrosive thanks to the addition of Chrome and requires no special maintenance. Carbon content of at least 0.40% provides an excellent cutting edge and is easily sharpened
- FLAGSHIP SIZE: The Number 8 is the most sold and versatile size in the ever-growing line of Opinel folding Pocket knives, earning its reputation as an everyday carry staple. 3.35” blade (8.5cm), open length 7.5” (19.5cm)
- PATENTED VIROBLOC: A hallmark of Opinel everyday carry knives since its invention in 1955, the Virobloc ring offers a unique, thoughtful, and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade during use, during Transport, and during storage
- SUSTAINABLE BEECH HANDLE: Our selection of wood is precise and meets strict standards for social responsibility and the environment. We select beech wood from ecologically managed French woodlands in the Alpine region and Jura Mountains
- AN ICON OF FRENCH CULTURE: Produced in the heart of the French Alps since 1890, Opinel knives draw simplicity and durability from their mountain roots. Opinel kitchen knives have been adopted worldwide and recognized as a design Icon
Rank #4
- FLAGSHIP SIZE: The Number 8 is the most sold and versatile size in the ever-growing line of Opinel folding pocket knives, earning its reputation as an everyday carry staple. 3.35” blade (8.5cm), open length 7.5” (19.5cm).
- PATENTED VIROBLOC: A hallmark of Opinel everyday carry knives since it’s invention in 1955, the Virobloc ring offers a unique, thoughtful, and easy to use safety mechanism for locking the blade during use, during transport, and during storage
- INOX BLADE: We use Sandvik 12C27 Modified Stainless Steel. It is anti-corrosive thanks to the addition of chrome and requires no special maintenance. Carbon content of at least 0.40% provides an excellent cutting edge and is easily sharpened
- THE CROWNED HAND: In 1565 King Charles IX commanded every knife maker to stamp an emblem on their products to guarantee their origin and quality. In 1909 in order to honor this tradition Joseph Opinel chose the Crowned Hand as his emblem
- AN ICON OF FRENCH CULTURE: Produced in the heart of the French Alps since 1890, Opinel knives draw simplicity and durability from their mountain roots. Opinel kitchen knives have been adopted worldwide and recognized as a design icon
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
