Opinel No. 8 Folding Knife

The Opinel No. 8 is the folding knife that has been made the same way in the French Alps since 1890: a plain beechwood handle, a stainless blade that takes an edge easily, and a twist ring that locks it open or closed. It cuts cheese, bread, an apple, twine and a cardboard box, and it looks better after ten years of use than it did new.

It is the stocking stuffer for a dad, brother or boyfriend who likes simple things, the graduation gift for someone starting to carry a knife, and the gift a minimalist appreciates because it is the only knife they will need. It also goes in the picnic bag.

This is the stainless version with a faux-leather sheath, about 4.5 inches closed. Not for a checked bag only, since it is a knife. Under thirty dollars for the object people hand down.