While researching the Opinel prior to purchase, I swear I came across a surprising number of reviews focused on its suitability for things like… Business meetings. As in, “great to pull out during a meeting to cut your apple,” etc.
Yes, they are handsome. But food provided at meetings is typically already bite-sized; it brought to mind an image of a dude elaborately checking his watch, in order to “casually” flex his arm.
I’m going to guess that for many it’s more of an identity/aesthetic – or just conversational – thing. Maybe having a handy knife gives a sense of preparedness and utility, even though it’s not strictly necessary. And having a “secret” item on one’s person that is known – perhaps only to the holder – to be unique or of higher-than-average quality can be a real talisman. I own a number of one-off neckties, from a brand that like, .003% of people have ever heard of, and wearing them makes me feel much better than when I wear a mainstream one. Literally no one that I meet is likely to have any clue (other than a vague notion that the tie looks… good or somehow better), but I know. It’s kind of like having a superpower.
