Opinel
Sylve Dark Ash Wood Handle Forks Set Of 12
CA$312.00CAD
In Stock
The Opinel Sylve fork is a stainless steel dinner fork with a thermally stabilized dark ash wood handle, sold as a set of 12. It is designed for everyday table use and pairs with Opinel table knives. Each fork has a handle length of 11.5 cm (4.5 in), features four tines, and is made in France.
- Color
- Dark Ash
- Material
- Stainless steel; Ash wood handle darkened through thermal stabilization
- Style
- classic
- Category
- Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Tableware > Flatware > Forks
Color
Chocolate/Espresso
Size
SET/12
Specifications
Set of 12 Opinel forks with dark ash wood handles and stainless steel construction.
Stainless steel tines; Ash wood handle; Made in France.
- Color
- Dark Ash · brown
- Material
- Stainless steel; Ash wood handle darkened through thermal stabilization
- Secondary
- wood
- Style
- classic
- Gender
- unisex
- Age Group
- adult
- Condition
- new
- Category
- Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Tableware > Flatware > Forks
Additional Attributes
- Stainless steel
- Ash wood handle darkened through thermal stabilization
- Set of 12
- Made in France
- Opinel brand
- Crowned hand logo
Product Insights
Opinel's Sylve Dark Ash Wood Handle Forks set of 12 embodies over a century of family-owned craftsmanship from the original Savoie factory. The thermally stabilized ash wood handles, with integral dark color and open grain, provide a secure grip that remains smooth over time, while the tang is embedded securely for no looseness. Ash's low density yields a light, neutral balance that reduces hand fatigue, and the handle length matches Opinel's table knives for uniform alignment and balance. The wood absorbs cutting and spearing forces without splintering, and thermal stabilization improves moisture resistance, preventing cracking and warping. For consistent color and durability, these forks must only be paired with thermally stabilized Opinel table knives. Care requires hand washing and immediate drying; no dishwasher, abrasives, or oil, though worn varnish can be restored by sanding and applying food-safe polyurethane.
Verified claims
- Heritage
- Opinel is family-owned and made in the original Savoie factory for over a century.
- Joinery
- Tang is embedded securely into ash handle with no looseness or rotation.
- Materials
- Stainless steel and ash wood; ash handles are thermally stabilized for permanent dark color.
- Design consistency
- Handle length (11.5 cm) matches Opinel table knives for alignment.
- Grip
- Ash's open grain provides a secure grip that does not wear smooth over time.
- Shock absorption
- Ash wood handles absorb cutting and spearing forces without splintering.
- Moisture resistance
- Thermal stabilization improves moisture resistance, preventing cracking and warping.
- Weight
- Ash wood's low density provides a light, neutral balance for comfortable dining.
- Balance
- Low-density ash handle and stainless tines yield neutral balance, reducing hand fatigue.
- Set consistency
- 11.5 cm handle matches Opinel's table knives for uniform balance.
- Set compatibility
- To maintain consistent color and durability, pair only with thermally stabilized Opinel table knives
- Shock resistance
- Ash handle withstands repeated cutting pressure without splintering.
- Handling
- Ash handle is lighter than beech and offers a naturally textured grip.
- Color finish
- Ash handle's dark color is integral from thermal stabilization and matches Opinel's dark ash knives.
- Craftsmanship
- Opinel's 130-year wood-to-metal joinery ensures the ash handle is securely bonded.
- Care instructions
- Hand wash and dry immediately; no dishwasher, abrasives, or oil.
- Refinishing
- Restore worn varnish by sanding and applying food-safe polyurethane.
- Durability
- Thermally stabilized handle resists moisture; dark color is integral, not a stain.
- Handle length
- Fork handle length (11.5 cm) matches Opinel table knife handles.
- Wood treatment
- Pair only with Sylve knives (thermally stabilized ash) to match color and durability.
Product record
- Title
- Sylve Dark Ash Wood Handle Forks Set Of 12
- Brand
- Opinel
- Price
- 312 CAD
- Availability
- In stock
Deep Research
What Made in France means for Opinel
- Opinel has manufactured its products in Chambéry, Savoie for more than a hundred years, so the 'Made in France' marking on these forks confirms they are produced in the original factory that also turns out the iconic No. 08 pocket knife, tapping into a deep well of regional metalworking expertise.
- Opinel remains a family-run company under the founding family's great-grandsons, meaning each Sylve fork is backed by a 130-year lineage of cutler-owners who have personally overseen quality — a rarity in an industry dominated by anonymous conglomerates.
Why ash wood for fork handles
- The pronounced open grain of ash creates a slightly textured surface that feels naturally warmer and more secure in hand than the slick finish of closed-grain woods like maple or beech, enhancing finger grip during fine-dining maneuvers without any added coating.
- Ash is renowned for its high shock-absorption capacity — the same quality that makes it the historic choice for baseball bats, hockey sticks, and tool handles — so these fork handles can absorb the repeated pressure of cutting and spearing without splintering or developing hairline cracks, even under daily loads.
- With a density around 670 kg/m³, ash is less dense than beech (~720 kg/m³) and significantly lighter than olive or rosewood, giving each fork a light, neutral balance that keeps the hand from tiring during a long dinner, while the brushed stainless steel tines provide enough counterweight for comfortable handling.
- Where Opinel's signature pocket knives traditionally rely on lighter, smoother beechwood, the Sylve line adopts ash for its superior shock resistance and its ability to accept the dark thermal treatment, making it well-suited for heavier dishes where a robust grip and resilience are valued and for settings where a darker aesthetic is desired.
- Since 1890, Opinel has refined the art of marrying wood to metal in its Savoie workshop, and that century-plus of joinery expertise ensures the Sylve fork's tang is embedded securely into the ash handle with no looseness or rotation — a level of build quality that turns a simple fork into a lifetime companion.
- Because the ash handle's deep, dark hue is a direct result of thermal stabilization rather than a surface stain, the color penetrates the wood and won't wear off with use or washing, maintaining a consistent, dark finish that also gives the fork a head start on the rich patina untreated ash would take years to develop.
Keeping the wood handles looking their best
- Because the ash handles are sealed with a film-forming varnish, applying mineral oil or other wood oils is ineffective — they cannot absorb and will instead create a sticky film that attracts dust; maintenance requires only soap, water, and immediate drying to keep the satin finish clean.
- Scrubbing agents like baking soda, scouring pads, and steel wool will abrade the varnish surface, creating microscopic scratches that trap water and eventually cause the finish to peel; a soft cloth or non-abrasive sponge is all that is needed.
- After years of hand washing, the varnish around the bolster may wear thin; at that point, gently sanding the area with 400-grit sandpaper and applying a fresh coat of food-safe polyurethane or polymerized tung oil restores the protective barrier without stripping the handle’s thermal-stabilized color — a simple refurbishment that keeps the set serviceable for decades.
Which Opinel knives pair with these forks
- The fork's dark color is the result of thermal stabilization, which chemically alters the wood to darken it and improve moisture resistance — so a matching Opinel knife must also be thermally stabilized ash wood to maintain the exact same shade and durability; a regular ash knife would be lighter and less water-resistant.
- At 11.5 cm, the fork handle matches the standard length of Opinel's table knives, ensuring that when set together the handles align in length — a detail that makes the flatware feel like a designed set rather than mix-and-match pieces.
Image Analysis
3 images- 01
Product
A single stainless steel fork with a rectangular dark wood handle is placed vertically on a white plate; the metal fork head transitions to a narrow bolster and two visible rivets secure the wooden handle.
- Fork overall placementSingle dinner fork positioned roughly vertical and centered on a white scalloped-edge plate with tines pointing upward and handle toward the bottom of the image.
1 region
x 0.43 · y 0.12 · w 0.14 · h 0.76 (high) - Tines and headFour straight, evenly spaced stainless steel tines with a flat broad head and a smooth satin finish; the head narrows into a short curved neck before the handle.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.12 · w 0.06 · h 0.20 (high) - Handle shapeRectangular dark wood handle with a long straight profile, slightly chamfered edges and a squared-off end; wood grain runs lengthwise.
1 region
x 0.46 · y 0.44 · w 0.07 · h 0.41 (high) - RivetsTwo circular metal rivets visible on the wooden handle aligned along the centerline, securing the metal to the wood.
1 region
x 0.47 · y 0.42 · w 0.04 · h 0.12 (high) - Metal finish near bolsterSatin stainless finish on the metal portion near the handle with a subtle transition line where metal meets wood.
1 region
x 0.48 · y 0.24 · w 0.05 · h 0.12 (high) - Small printed mark on metal“Small printed or engraved mark present on the metal neck above the handle that appears to be a short word or symbol but is not fully legible at this scale.”Uncertain
1 region
x 0.49 · y 0.26 · w 0.03 · h 0.03 (medium)
Other
The fork is staged on a white scalloped plate nested on a larger beige ceramic plate, with mixed salad greens to the left and out-of-focus white blossoms to the right; neutral linen background and soft natural lighting create gentle shadows.
- Plate stackingWhite scalloped-edge plate sits atop a larger matte beige ceramic plate with a thin raised rim visible near the top and bottom edges of the image.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.05 · w 0.84 · h 0.90 (high) - Salad garnishSmall pile of mixed salad leaves and a few small mushrooms placed to the left of the fork on the white plate.
1 region
x 0.08 · y 0.34 · w 0.36 · h 0.34 (high) - Foreground floral blurOut-of-focus white baby's-breath style flowers occupy the right foreground, partially obscuring the plate edge and creating a soft bokeh.
1 region
x 0.64 · y 0.28 · w 0.32 · h 0.50 (high) - Background and surfaceNeutral beige linen tablecloth or napkin visible outside the plates with soft natural lighting and diffuse shadows.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (medium) - LightingSoft, diffused overhead or side natural light producing gentle highlights on the metal and subtle shadows beneath the fork and plate.
Colors
stainless steel gray· metal head and neck#D5DAE1dark ash brown· wood handle#6B3D2B- Fork overall placementSingle dinner fork positioned roughly vertical and centered on a white scalloped-edge plate with tines pointing upward and handle toward the bottom of the image.
- 02
Product
A single four-tine fork shown full-length, with a brushed stainless steel head and a dark brown finished wood handle secured by two visible metal rivets.
- Tine assemblyFour straight tines with squared tips forming the fork head and a wide, flat transition plate; surface shows a brushed metal finish.
1 region
x 0.34 · y 0.02 · w 0.32 · h 0.25 (high) - Neck stampSmall stamped emblem or mark on the metal neck above the handle; characters are visible as a tiny motif but not legible at this resolution.Partial
1 region
x 0.44 · y 0.25 · w 0.12 · h 0.07 (medium) - Handle shapeLong rectangular wood handle with slightly chamfered or beveled long edges and a squared end; visible wood grain runs lengthwise.
1 region
x 0.36 · y 0.42 · w 0.28 · h 0.50 (high) - RivetsTwo circular metal rivets flush with the wood surface, aligned along the handle centerline.
2 regions
x 0.51 · y 0.45 · w 0.04 · h 0.05 (high); x 0.51 · y 0.62 · w 0.04 · h 0.05 (high) - Metal-to-wood jointMetal tang inserted into the wood handle with a narrow visible seam where the metal meets the wood at the top of the handle.
1 region
x 0.38 · y 0.36 · w 0.24 · h 0.10 (high)
Other
Product photographed on a plain white background, centered and vertically oriented with even studio lighting and minimal shadowing.
- BackgroundUniform white background with no visible props or packaging.
- CompositionFork centered in the frame and shown full-length in a vertical orientation.
- Lighting and shadowEven, diffuse studio lighting producing soft, minimal shadow and slight specular highlights on the metal surfaces.
Colors
brushed stainless· metal head and neck#BBBBBBdark wood brown· wood handle#5C3A24bright metal· rivet heads- Tine assemblyFour straight tines with squared tips forming the fork head and a wide, flat transition plate; surface shows a brushed metal finish.
- 03
Product
Three metal forks with distinct straight wooden handles (light, medium-grain, dark) are arranged upright on a white round plate; stainless fork heads with four tines and narrow necks are visible, each handle fastened with two visible rivets.
- Fork geometryThree forks shown head-up with four straight tines, narrow rectangular necks transitioning to rectangular straight handles with chamfered outer edges at the butt.
1 region
x 0.16 · y 0.18 · w 0.43 · h 0.62 (high) - Fork heads material and finishFork heads and necks are stainless metal with a satin/matte finish, visible as uniform muted silver tones with subtle highlights on tines and neck faces.
1 region
x 0.20 · y 0.12 · w 0.36 · h 0.28 (high) - Left handle - pale woodLeftmost handle is a pale, nearly uniform light wood with very subtle grain and two visible circular metal rivets aligned along the handle centerline.
1 region
x 0.13 · y 0.39 · w 0.09 · h 0.38 (high) - Middle handle - medium grain woodCenter handle shows a warm medium wood with pronounced vertical grain streaks and two visible circular rivets aligned along the handle centerline.
1 region
x 0.29 · y 0.39 · w 0.09 · h 0.38 (high) - Right handle - dark woodRightmost handle is a darker brown wood with visible straight grain and two circular rivets; the handle color is distinctly darker than the other two.
1 region
x 0.45 · y 0.39 · w 0.09 · h 0.38 (high) - Rivet detailsEach wooden handle shows two small circular metal rivets centered laterally on the handle, flush with the wood surface.
1 region
x 0.13 · y 0.50 · w 0.41 · h 0.20 (high) - Small stamped mark on necksThere is a small stamped or etched mark on the metal neck area of each fork adjacent to the handle; characters are too small to read clearly at this resolution.Uncertain
1 region
x 0.28 · y 0.36 · w 0.13 · h 0.08 (medium)
Other
White round plate holds the forks; decorative patterned fabric tablecloth and food props (raspberry, blueberry, pomegranate seeds, chocolate cookie) are visible; soft even lighting with minimal shadows and a top-down composition.
- PlateA large white round plate with a slightly raised rim occupies the center and left of the frame and serves as the background for the forks.
1 region
x 0.03 · y 0.03 · w 0.66 · h 0.94 (high) - Cookie propA round chocolate cookie or muffin with visible nut fragments sits on the plate near the right edge overlapping the plate rim.
1 region
x 0.70 · y 0.54 · w 0.24 · h 0.34 (high) - Fruit garnishesSmall food items used as props include a whole raspberry near the left fork tine tips, a single blueberry placed above the middle fork, and scattered red pomegranate seeds mainly near the right fork and plate.
3 regions
x 0.09 · y 0.20 · w 0.06 · h 0.08 (high); x 0.36 · y 0.12 · w 0.04 · h 0.04 (high); x 0.50 · y 0.38 · w 0.10 · h 0.12 (high) - Tablecloth backgroundA multicolor patterned fabric tablecloth with floral and leaf motifs surrounds the plate outside its rim and is visible at the image edges.
1 region
x 0.00 · y 0.00 · w 1.00 · h 1.00 (medium) - Shot compositionTop-down lifestyle composition centered on the plate with forks arranged vertically; lighting is soft and even with little harsh shadow.
Colors
pale blond wood· left handlewarm honey wood· middle handle#EC8B4Cdark walnut brown· right handle#633A25satin stainless· metal heads and necks- Fork geometryThree forks shown head-up with four straight tines, narrow rectangular necks transitioning to rectangular straight handles with chamfered outer edges at the butt.
Documents & Data
Q&A
4 answered- Are the wood handles treated with any food-safe sealant, and are they resistant to moisture and staining from foods like tomato sauce or red wine?
- Yes, the ash wood handles are varnished and thermally stabilized, which improves moisture resistance. However, we recommend hand washing only to preserve them, and while they offer some protection, we advise avoiding prolonged contact with staining foods like tomato sauce or red wine.
- Can these forks be safely washed in a dishwasher, or are they hand-wash only due to the ash wood handles?
- These forks are hand-wash only. The manufacturer recommends washing them only by hand to preserve the wood handles, as dishwasher exposure can damage the wood.
- What specific grade of stainless steel is used (e.g., 18/10, 18/0, or 304)? Is it rust-resistant and suitable for everyday use?
- The specific grade of stainless steel (e.g., 18/10, 18/0) is not listed by the manufacturer. The forks are made of brushed stainless steel, which is rust-resistant and suitable for everyday use.
- How does the thermal stabilization process affect the wood's resistance to cracking, warping, or splitting over time compared to untreated ash?
- The thermal stabilization process makes the ash wood more water resistant, which significantly reduces the risk of cracking, warping, or splitting from moisture changes compared to untreated ash. Combined with the varnished finish, the handles are well-protected for long-term use.