Opinel Handle Material

	“To avoid a negative impact on the environment of securing supplies from distant places (pollution due to transport, deforestation, etc.), 95% of the wooden handles produced by Opinel come from French forestry operations. ” Important note: Although you may have seen "Opinel Pearwood handle" in some well know retailer's description, this wood as not been used by Opinel since the 1950s.
	Bubinga Supply: Central Africa Origin: Cameroon and Gabon Wood: With attractive purplish veining, relatively hard and heavy. Use: Brush-making, tabletterie (ornamental woodenware), cabinet work for decorative panels	Boxwood Supply: France Origin: Southern Europe Tree: Shrub with persistent leaves planted in parks for its ornamental qualities. Wood: It is the hardest of our woods, pinkish yellow, with an even grain. Use: In addition to marquetry and fine sculpture, it is very sought-after for making musical instruments.

	Yoke-elm Supply: France Origin: Far East , China . Tree: Medium-sized tree with dense foliage (dentate leaves), with a fluted trunk and a fine, smooth greyish bark. Wood: Very hard and very resistant, pale greyish wood. Use: Tools, snooker cues, and, in the past, butcher’s blocks and yokes.	Oak Supply: France Origin: Europe Tree: Large, majestic tree with heavy, angular branches. Wood: Pale yellow to pale brown wood. Annual hollow vein of varying tightness, depending on the plantation density. Use: External woodwork, parquets, doors, panelling, frame structures. Also used for boat-making, furniture, decorative panels, etc.

	Beech Supply: France Origin: Central and Western Europe but present on all three continents of the Northern hemisphere. Tree: One of the most elegant large trees, with a smooth trunk and dense foliage. Beech wood is very good for carving. Wood: White or very pale brown, fine, even grain, with straight lines. Use: Widely used in furniture, brush-making, toys, parquet, etc.	Ash Supply: France Origin: Europe Tree: Large valley tree. Wood: Resistant, pearly white with brownish veins. Use: Tool handles, snooker cues, skis, sledges, cart making or joinery.

	Yellow birch Supply: France Origin: Europe and Asia Tree: Tree with dark brown branches, it is also called the wild cherry tree. Wood: Hard and resistant, with a brownish pink to yellowish pink colour, with a fine grain. Use: Ornamental in parks and gardens. Cabinet work, solid furniture or veneering. Engraving, toys, rifle butts.	Walnut Supply: France Origin: China Tree: The most noble of all our woods, it is primarily planted for its walnuts. Wood: Stable, very fine, reddish brown with greyish veins, fine, even grain. Use: Cabinet work, sculpture, rifle butts. It also gives green walnut shell used to dye fabrics and stain light woods.

	Olive Supply: France Origin: Asia, then spread from Greece to Provence . Tree: Since ancient times it has been a symbol of wisdom and peace. Wood: Hard, light beige with dark brown veining, even grain. Use: Excellent for cabinet work and tabletterie (ornamental woodenware), it is traditionally used to make the pestles, bowls and spoons that are found in Provence .	Elm Supply: France Origin: Europe Tree: Tree found on the edges of woods, often planted in parks and gardens. Wood: Medium-hard brown wood, with a rough grain. Use: Staircases and solid furniture or veneering.

	Rosewood Supply: Honduras Origin: Different origins, depending on the varieties: Central America , India . The rarest is Brazilian Rosewood, the trade of which is regulated by the Washington convention. Wood: Reddish-brown wood with black or purple veins, with a very fine grain. Use: Used solid or as a veneer for luxury furniture and pianos.	Blond horn tip Blond horn tip (South African cattle horn) is an exceptional material. Worked whole, horn handles are all unique and very different from one another.