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Intempora No. 218 chef's knife product image (primary)
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.

Opinel

Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife

CA$134.00CAD
In Stock

Opinel Intempora No. 218 is a full-tang chef's knife made in France, with a hand-polished 8-inch (20 cm) martensitic stainless steel blade (0.52% carbon) that resists corrosion and maintains sharpness. Its fibreglass-reinforced polyoxymethylene handle is contoured for a stable grip, and the blade is suited for cutting, slicing, mincing, and dicing with a rocking motion. Note: some user reviews report occasional quality-control issues, including a bent blade and an overly thick spine that can cause wedging in food.

Material
Martensitic stainless steel (high carbon) and fibreglass polyoxymethylene
Style
classic, technical
Category
Home & Garden > Kitchen & Dining > Kitchen Tools & Utensils > Kitchen Knives
View on merchant siteJSON

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.
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.
Blade steel grade and hardness
The blade uses Sandvik 12C27M martensitic stainless steel hardened to 58 HRC (some sources note 57–58 HRC).
Edge retention vs German steel
The Sandvik 12C27M at 58 HRC out-sharpens the softer X50CrMoV15 used in Wüsthof and Zwilling, holding a cleaner apex through repeated use while retaining stainless convenience.
Knife weight
The knife weighs 215 g (7.6 oz); the full-tang blade runs through the entire handle for even weight distribution, though the exact balance point is not specified.
Sharpening method and angle
Most retailers cite a 17° per side (34° total) edge angle, though one source says 15° per side (30° total); the plain edge should be sharpened with a honing rod, whetstone, or diamond stone.
Long-term sharpening cost
Opinel's free factory sharpening for Intempora owners eliminates typical $12–$20 per-service sharpening fees and compares favorably to German brands that charge $20–$30 plus return shipping.

Product record

Title
Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife
Brand
Opinel
Price
134 CAD
Availability
In stock

Buying Guide

1 comparison · 10 sources

Uses

Everyday chopping, slicing and dicing

A multipurpose chef's knife for daily meal prep — the seller describes its rocking-motion edge as suited to cutting, slicing, mincing meat, and dicing veggies or shaping them into strips or sticks. The 20 cm blade stays rigid and stable while cutting, and the full-tang construction keeps the knife well balanced and comfortable to grip.[2]

Everyday prep with a rocking chop

This chef's knife has an edge made for chopping in a rocking motion. That makes it well suited to everyday kitchen tasks like mincing meat, dicing veggies into strips or sticks, and general cutting and slicing.[2]

Product comparison

Compared within this brand.

Why and when to choose each product
This product

Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife

Opinel

simons.ca

Same brand

Parallel N° 118 Multipurpose Chef's Knife

Opinel

simons.ca

Same brand

No. 219 Santoku Intempora Kitchen Knife

Opinel

simons.ca

Intempora No. 218 Chef's Knife: Choose this if you want a French-made chef's knife for everyday prep like cutting, slicing, mincing meat, and dicing or julienning vegetables: its edge is designed for chopping in a rocking motion, and the 20 cm Sandvik stainless steel blade offers good corrosion resistance with no special maintenance. The full-tang construction distributes weight evenly for a robust, well-balanced feel, and the moulded fibreglass POM handle provides a safe, comfortable grip with excellent wear, impact, and water resistance. One shopper noted they were unsure about the handle shape and would want to hold the knife before judging it, so fit in hand may be worth trying first.[1,2]Parallel N° 118 Multipurpose Chef's Knife: Choose this if you want a French-made multipurpose chef's knife with a 20 cm stainless steel blade that the maker says resists corrosion, paired with a varnished PEFC-certified beech handle protected against moisture and dirt. Its continuous edge frees up the heel for easier sharpening, and one long-time owner reports it sharpens easily, holds an edge fairly well, and is still their pick for rock-chopping herbs. That same owner enjoyed it as a first chef's knife but later moved to higher-end knives and would call it a solid option mainly if you like a blade with a good amount of belly.[3,4,5,6]No. 219 Santoku Intempora Kitchen Knife: Choose this if you want a versatile santoku for chopping, slicing, and preparing fish and shellfish: its 6.75 inch (17 cm), 0.12 inch (3 mm) Sandvik stainless blade is full-tang for balance and stability, with hollow granton-style dimples to help keep food from sticking and a wide blade for sweeping cuts off the board. The moulded fibreglass polyoxymethylene handle offers a secure, low-fatigue pinch grip, and the knife is hand polished and made in France. Note that the fibreglass handle may show slight white streaks after washing, which the maker says light oiling restores to its blue color.[7,8,9,10]

Image Analysis

3 images
Intempora No. 218 chef's knife product image (primary)
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 regionx 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 regionx 0.12 · y 0.30 · w 0.45 · h 0.30 (high)
  • Blade text“OPINEL”
    1 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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
Intempora No. 218 chef's knife product image 2
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 regionx 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 regionx 0.30 · y 0.08 · w 0.40 · h 0.48 (high)
  • Blade text“OPINEL”
    1 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 0.36 · y 0.58 · w 0.28 · h 0.38 (high)
  • Handle colorDark blue handle visible as a uniform solid finish.
    1 regionx 0.40 · y 0.62 · w 0.20 · h 0.30 (high)
  • Butt text“n218”Partial
    1 regionx 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
Intempora No. 218 chef's knife product image 3
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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 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 regionx 0.36 · y 0.90 · w 0.27 · h 0.07 (high)
  • Legible packaging text“INTEMPORA”
    1 regionx 0.36 · y 0.90 · w 0.27 · h 0.07 (high)
  • Brand text“OPINEL”
    1 regionx 0.39 · y 0.06 · w 0.22 · h 0.06 (high)
  • Small brand supporting text“SAVOIE FRANCE”
    1 regionx 0.40 · y 0.11 · w 0.20 · h 0.03 (high)
  • Orange label text block“Nº218 (20 CM) CHEF CHEF'S KNIFE”
    1 regionx 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

Brand PDP Lookup

Brand
Opinel
URL
https://www.opinel.com/fr/couteaux-cuisine/collection-intempora-manche-polymere/n218-chef-intempora

N°218 Chef Intempora

Documents & Data

Reddit Insights

2 threads · r/TrueChefKnives, r/Opinel

Reddit'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.

negative sentiment80% match

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

Quality Controlnegative
Design and Aestheticsmixed

Use Cases

  • Smaller utility/prep knife

Watch Out For

highThe knife may arrive with a bent blade and tang despite passing a QC sticker; the spine is extremely thick, causing wedging in food like tomatoes.

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 →

Provenance

Merchant Link
https://www.simons.ca/en/kitchen-dining/kitchenware/kitchen-utensils-accessories/intempora-no-218-chef-s-knife--21668-25405009?colourId=0
Updated