With the blade’s obvious flash and edge, it’s easy to ignore a pocket knife’s handle. But like specific types of steel, the elements of varying handle types contribute to a knife’s overall functionality, not to mention aesthetics. These traits aren’t always apparent, and it’s often the case that some of the best handle materials are also the most understated. That’s true of ebony, which makes up the handle of Opinel’s limited-edition No. 8 knife, currently on sale for 42 percent off.
Ebony is an exotic hardwood that comes from several tropical tree species. It’s so dense that it sinks in water, and it becomes shiny when polished, much like stone. These qualities, plus incredible durability, make ebony ideal for knife handles (it’s commonly used for guitar fingerboards too).
When Opinel upgraded its classic No. 8 folding knife with a limited-edition ebony handle, it did so with a flourish by adding a tasteful aluminum leaf inlay that accentuates the wood’s uniquely dark hue. The combination makes for an overtly stylish pocket knife that, thanks to its new handle, hasn’t lost any of the practicality of the original.
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