Quote Originally Posted by MichaelS View Post
Jamie, I was intrigued by this razor when I saw it on French eBay recently because, as RMarsh points out, Opinel today is a household name in France and Belgium for value folders.

It also looked like a lot of work had gone into the old blade with all the different facets. It was nearly black but cleaned up nicely.

Keith, thanks for showing Lotse's blade which I missed - his has the same logo style as mine which according to a French forum colleague dates it to pre-1904....that's all I know at this point but I'm off to read more!
The razor is very nice Michael! The blank of the blade encounters an often among French razors. My Guinard a Lyon has exactly this blade shape. I suspect smaller razor manufacturer bought the knife blanks and not forged itself. I would keep my Opinel in a blind test for a Sheffield razor. The French are hardened tend to be higher.
The crowned hand is since 1909 trademark of Opinel. The older razors have the logotype.
I think the razors from Opinel are special, because of their relative rarity. Otherwise, they are simply good razors. No more and no less.
Now I know what I'm going to make the New Year's Shave ...

I wish you all a great new year and thank you for the many insights and suggestions at this point!