A Unique Insight
About Us
In 1890, in a small village in Maurienne in Savoie, Joseph Opinel invented the pocket knife which today bears his name. The Opinel company is still managed by the descendants of Joseph Opinel and manufactures in the heart of the Alps, in Chambéry, articles whose quality has made the reputation of the brand for more than 130 years.
The collection is made up of knives and pocket tools for DIY, sports, outdoor activities, gardening as well as kitchen and table knives...
French made
Our pocket knives, table knives, kitchen knives, garden tools are made in France in our factory in Chambéry in Savoie*.
The Chambéry plant employs 180 people, 120 of whom are directly linked to production. To follow the development of the activity, 2000 m2 of industrial buildings have been added to the existing 4000 m2 (1500 m2 in 2015 and 500 m2 in 2018). In 2022, 6.5 million items were sold in more than 70 countries around the world for a turnover of €34.5 million, 45% of which was exported. The American subsidiary Opinel USA was founded in Chicago in 2016, it markets the brand's products in the United States.
* with the exception of the following products developed in Chambéry and manufactured by our partner in Portugal: pruning shears, Parallèle kitchen knives, some of the Intempora kitchen knives and Perpétue table cutlery. Garden saw blades, holsters, sharpener, large sharpeners and microfibers are made in Asia. Blocks, boards and sharpening stones are made in Italy. The kitchen and table textiles are made in France by the company Tissage Moutet.
A family of blacksmiths
OPINEL SAS is a family business, the President François Opinel and the Managing Director Denis Opinel are the great-grandson of the founder Joseph Opinel. Operational management is under the responsibility of two Deputy Managing Directors who supervise the Industry, Purchasing & Development, Marketing & Communication and Export Directors.
The Opinel Museum located in Saint Jean de Maurienne in Savoie is run by Maxime and Jacques Opinel, descendants of Jean Opinel, blacksmith and brother of Joseph Opinel.
Opinel values
The values of the company are respect for people with the desire to maintain and develop jobs in Chambéry, quality control through regular checks and continuous improvement actions throughout the production chain, respect for the environment with the aim of limiting the impact of our activity on nature (waste sorting and recycling, anti-waste policy, etc.).
Brand protection
One of the pillars of the company's success is the protection of the brand, the products and the know-how.And this, through more than 900 protections (trademarks, models, patents, domain names) in nearly 100 countries.This began in 1909 with the filing of the Opinel® brand, and thereafter on a regular basis, for example in 1955 and 2000 for the Virobloc® patent.The word mark Opinel®, the design of the Crowned Hand® as well as the shape of the knife are registered trademarks.Any modification of any kind whatsoever to the Opinel® knives, in particular by affixing, removing or by any other means, is prohibited.Market surveillance by our teams and our commercial partners allows the location of counterfeits and the rapid intervention of our lawyers specialized in industrial property.
Visit us
The Opinel Museum
The opinel museum welcomes you to Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, a city of history and renown. All year except Sundays & public holidays.
Musée Opinel
25, rue jean jaurès
73300 Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Phone : 0479640478
