
Opinel
Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife
The Intempora No. 218 is an 8-inch (20 cm) chef's knife from Opinel, designed for cutting, slicing, mincing, and dicing. Its full-tang martensitic stainless steel blade (0.52% carbon) is hand-polished for corrosion resistance, while the fibreglass-reinforced polyoxymethylene handle resists wear, impact, and water. Note that user reviews on Reddit have reported occasional quality control issues, including bent blades and thick edges that can wedge in food.
- Material
- Martensitic stainless steel (high carbon) and fibreglass polyoxymethylene
- Style
- classic, technical
- Category
- Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Tools & Utensils > Kitchen Knives
Color
Size
Specifications
A high-performance Opinel chef's knife with a 20 cm Sandvik stainless steel blade and ergonomic POM handle, ideal for cutting, slicing, and mincing.
Full-tang blade for balance; Sandvik stainless steel for sharpness and corrosion resistance; Moulded handle made of fibreglass polyoxymethylene for durability and comfort; Hand polished; Made in France.
- Material
- Martensitic stainless steel (high carbon) and fibreglass polyoxymethylene
- Secondary
- plastic
- Style
- classic, technical
- Occasion
- everyday, work
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Tools & Utensils > Kitchen Knives
Additional Attributes
- performance
- blade stability
- chopping in rocking motion
- versatile cutting
- Sandvik stainless steel
- smooth cutting edge
- corrosion resistant
- no special maintenance
- contoured handle
- safe and comfortable grip
- polyoxymethylene fibreglass handle
- wear resistant
- impact resistant
- water resistant
- high carbon stainless steel
- full-tang blade
- hand polished
- made in France
- 20 cm blade
- blade thickness 3 mm
Product Insights
The Opinel Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife offers a hand-polished, bolsterless blade with Sandvik 12C27M steel that out-sharpens common German steels, and a stain-resistant POM handle that stays grippy when wet, enabling precise cuts and reduced drag; however, its stiff 3mm spine can wedge in dense produce, and some units arrive with bent blades, leading some to suggest lower-tier alternatives as better value.
Verified claims
- Blade defects
- Buyers report that some units arrive with a bent blade and tang.
- Blade thickness
- Stiff 3 mm spine handles hard squash but wedges in dense produce like tomatoes.
- Handling
- No bolster, sweeping belly, and neutral balance enable cheese shaving, rock chopping, and precise tip cuts.
- Steel
- Sandvik 12C27M at 58 HRC out-sharpens X50CrMoV15 in Wüsthof/Zwilling.
- Sharpening
- Free factory sharpening preserves original edge geometry.
- Finish
- Hand-polished finish reduces drag when slicing sticky foods.
- Edge preservation
- Factory sharpening maintains the OEM edge angle, avoiding over-grinding.
- Handle comfort
- POM handle secures grip when wet and full-tang balance reduces hand fatigue.
- Stain resistance
- POM handle resists stains from pigmented foods like beetroot and turmeric.
- Design and ergonomics
- POM handle resists stains; full-tang balance; hand-polished, bolsterless blade aids food release and sharpening, but wedging possible at 3mm spine.
- Alternative options
- Some users suggest a lower-tier Zwilling knife or a Robert Herder santoku as better-value alternatives at a similar price.
Product record
- Title
- Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife
- Brand
- Opinel
- Price
- 134 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Image Analysis
3 images- 01

Product
A chef's knife pictured flat on a white surface, showing the full blade and most of the handle; stainless blade with visible brand stamping and a smooth dark single-piece handle with a metal spine near the top edge.
- Blade shapeTapered stainless steel chef blade with a pointed tip and a straight cutting edge that curves upward slightly toward the tip; blade lies flat and angled from lower-left toward upper-right of image.
1 region
x 0.10 · y 0.28 · w 0.54 · h 0.36 (high) - Blade finishMatte brushed stainless finish on the flat of the blade with subtle linear texture and a faint reflection near the spine.
1 region
x 0.12 · y 0.30 · w 0.45 · h 0.30 (high) - Blade text“OPINEL”
1 region
x 0.19 · y 0.39 · w 0.18 · h 0.08 (medium) - Handle shapeSingle-piece dark handle with a smooth, slightly rounded rectangular profile that tapers inward toward the bolster and flares very slightly at the butt.
1 region
x 0.55 · y 0.56 · w 0.37 · h 0.34 (high) - Handle detailThin exposed metal spine/trim runs along the top edge of the handle from the bolster toward the butt, creating a narrow silver accent.
1 region
x 0.63 · y 0.54 · w 0.27 · h 0.30 (high) - Bolster areaVisible transition between blade and handle with a short metal bolster section where the blade meets the handle.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.52 · w 0.12 · h 0.14 (high)
Other
Lifestyle composition on a white textured fabric background with sliced and whole vegetables and spice flecks arranged around the knife; soft diffuse lighting from upper left produces soft shadows.
- Background surfaceWhite woven or textured fabric serving as the stage for the knife and food props.
- Props presentVarious vegetables and spice flakes arranged around the knife including whole tomatoes, sliced zucchini, small orange and red peppers, garlic cloves, and scattered dried red pepper flakes.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (low) - Shot compositionThree-quarter top-down view with knife placed diagonally across frame; camera crop includes full knife blade and most of handle with foreground tomato slightly out of focus.
- Lighting and shadowEven diffused lighting producing soft, short shadows beneath the knife and props, with no harsh highlights.
Colors
matte stainless silver· blade#ECEEF1very dark navy· handle#1C1A25polished silver· handle trim#E9EEF2- Blade shapeTapered stainless steel chef blade with a pointed tip and a straight cutting edge that curves upward slightly toward the tip; blade lies flat and angled from lower-left toward upper-right of image.
- 02

Product
Single chef's knife shown upright on a white background with a long stainless steel blade and a curved dark blue handle; a small light-gray bolster sits between blade and handle and there is small printed text on the blade and on the handle butt.
- Blade shapeLong tapered chef blade with a curved cutting edge and a pointed tip; flat face visible with a straight heel where it meets the bolster.
1 region
x 0.22 · y 0.02 · w 0.56 · h 0.60 (high) - Blade material and finishBlade appears to be polished stainless steel with a matte satin reflection and uniformly light gray surface.
1 region
x 0.30 · y 0.08 · w 0.40 · h 0.48 (high) - Blade text“OPINEL”
1 region
x 0.49 · y 0.33 · w 0.06 · h 0.20 (medium) - BolsterSmall rounded light-gray bolster or ferrule between blade and handle, visible as a short metallic band at the blade base.
1 region
x 0.42 · y 0.56 · w 0.16 · h 0.08 (high) - Handle shapeSingle-piece curved handle with a gentle ergonomic profile that tapers slightly toward the blade and flares at the butt; smooth surface and rounded edges.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.58 · w 0.28 · h 0.38 (high) - Handle colorDark blue handle visible as a uniform solid finish.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.62 · w 0.20 · h 0.30 (high) - Butt text“n218”Partial
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.92 · w 0.12 · h 0.06 (medium)
Other
Studio product shot centered on a plain white background with even lighting and minimal shadow; knife is vertically oriented with the blade tip at the top and handle butt at the bottom.
- Shot compositionKnife centered and shown full-length upright against a uniform white background.
- Lighting and shadowEven diffuse lighting with soft, minimal shadowing and faint reflection along the blade face.
- Image cropEntire knife is visible and not cropped; small white margin around the product.
Colors
stainless steel· blade#D5D5D3light gray metallic· bolster#B5B4BAdark navy blue· handle#343A4C- Blade shapeLong tapered chef blade with a curved cutting edge and a pointed tip; flat face visible with a straight heel where it meets the bolster.
- 03

Product
A full-length chef knife is visible through a narrow retail box window; the stainless blade and dark handle are centered vertically. An orange adhesive label wraps the blade near the bolster with product text.
- Blade shapeRectangular chef-style blade with a straight spine that tapers slightly toward a rounded tip; blade surface is matte metallic and occupies the upper two thirds of the visible window.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.12 · w 0.32 · h 0.55 (high) - Handle geometrySingle-piece dark curved handle with a gentle waist and flared end, visible through the lower window area; handle finish appears smooth and slightly glossy.
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.66 · w 0.21 · h 0.22 (high) - Blade labelBright orange rectangular label wrapped around the blade near the handle, covering both faces of the blade in the visible window.
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.51 · w 0.21 · h 0.08 (high) - Blade fine printVery small printed characters or logo on the blade near the handle edge; too small to read at this resolution.Partial
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.48 · w 0.12 · h 0.08 (medium) - Visible product orientationKnife presented point-up inside vertical retail sleeve, blade uppermost and handle lowermost.
Packaging
A tall narrow navy blue retail sleeve with a central vertical window shows the knife; top has a hang tab and the brand is printed above the window, with a patterned white and navy interior behind the knife.
- Outer sleeveTall rectangular navy blue cardboard sleeve framing the knife window, with a folded top panel that includes a die-cut hang tab.
1 region
x 0.24 · y 0.02 · w 0.52 · h 0.96 (high) - Top brand panel textBrand text and small logo printed above the window on the sleeve.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.06 · w 0.24 · h 0.08 (high) - Interior patternWhite background with diagonal navy line pattern visible inside the window behind the blade and handle.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.12 · w 0.32 · h 0.76 (high) - Bottom sleeve text panelWhite product line name printed on the bottom flap of the sleeve visible below the handle.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.90 · w 0.27 · h 0.07 (high) - Legible packaging text“INTEMPORA”
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.90 · w 0.27 · h 0.07 (high) - Brand text“OPINEL”
1 region
x 0.39 · y 0.06 · w 0.22 · h 0.06 (high) - Small brand supporting text“SAVOIE FRANCE”
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.11 · w 0.20 · h 0.03 (high) - Orange label text block“Nº218 (20 CM) CHEF CHEF'S KNIFE”
1 region
x 0.40 · y 0.51 · w 0.21 · h 0.08 (high)
Other
Studio product shot on a white background with even frontal lighting and minimal shadows; image is cropped vertically to a narrow portrait framing centered on the packaged product.
- Background and framingPlain white background with the product centered vertically and horizontally; image crop leaves narrow white margins on both sides.
- LightingEven diffuse front lighting with soft reflections on the metallic blade and faint specular highlight on the handle.
- Shot compositionVertical portrait orientation showing the entire sleeve and visible knife through the window; no props or hands present.
Colors
matte stainless gray· blade#C5C1C2dark navy· handle#162133deep navy blue· outer sleevePackaging#1C3B5Cbright orange· labelPackaging#F4641Awhite· interior patternPackaging#D5D4DA- Blade shapeRectangular chef-style blade with a straight spine that tapers slightly toward a rounded tip; blade surface is matte metallic and occupies the upper two thirds of the visible window.
Documents & Data
Reddit Insights
2 threads · r/TrueChefKnives, r/OpinelReddit's sparse discussion on Opinel Intempora knives reveals significant quality control concerns, with one user reporting a bent blade and poor design, while another shows mild aesthetic interest.
The only detailed hands-on review reports a severely defective knife arriving bent and poorly ground, while other comments are either neutral or unconfirmed experiences.
Themes
Use Cases
- Smaller utility/prep knife
Watch Out For
Compared To
vs Zwilling
Reviewer suggests a lower-tier Zwilling as a better alternative for a non-Victorinox beater.
vs Robert Herder
A commenter recommends the Robert Herder santoku over the Opinel Intempora at a similar price point.
Source Threads
Opinel Intempora No 217 review reveals severe QC issues
Out of the box, the knife is bent. If you want to cut round corners, this is your tool. The blade is bent, and the tang as it runs through the handle is bent, and the handle has been machined around the bent steel. I didn’t measure it, but the spine is I’d guess a bit thinner than a hatchet, which is really handy for ensuring the blade can even wedge in a tomato, which is really novel.
u/GrippyEdr/TrueChefKnivesView thread →
User finds Intempora knives aesthetically pleasing but unsure about handle
They look pretty. I am not sure about the handle shape. I would want to hold them.
u/ExcaliburZSHr/OpinelView thread →