They are Opinel: Audrey Pinton

Let's meet Audrey Pinton, who's been working in Opinel's woodworking department for 5 years.

Audrey Pinton

Can you introduce yourself in a few words? 

My name is Audrey Pinton and I've been with Opinel for 6 years and working in the woodcraft industry for 5 years. 

What made you want to work at Opinel?

The opportunity presented itself, so when I was offered the chance to work for Opinel, I immediately accepted as it's an iconic Savoie brand that ticked all the boxes. 

What does your job entail? 

My job is to make the blanks that will become handles by hand, using cutting, gluing and marquetry to combine different varieties of wood. 

I also finish these handles as well as some of the more precious woods. 

Studio Kalice

What do you do at the workshop? Could you explain for us the different stages involved in making a knife handle in the wood workshop? 

We cut pieces of various types of wood using a band saw and a router, and assemble them by gluing them together, in some cases with veneer. It's therefore a type of marquetry work. 

For some products, we make new cuts so that we can then re-combine the wood pieces for a second gluing stage. 

Once this work is complete, we trim our blanks and cut them to the right size for the next stage: shaping. 

Once the wood has been shaped, it's time for the finishing touches, which is either sanding followed by buffing, or oiling. 

Which of these steps is your favourite? And why? 

I love every step in the making of a handle. 

But if I had to choose, it would be the finishing stage, because it's the one that allows us to appreciate the finality of all our work.

Do you have creative freedom?

Yes, sometimes. The Atelier, Ellipse and Cime models were designed and developed in this workshop. 

Semaphore

3 words that sum up your job? 

Sensitivity, creativity and attention to detail! 

Semaphore

Which is your favourite Opinel knife? 

The chaperon, it's the one I like making the most due to its technicality. 

The cuts are made freehand using a band saw; the shape of the waves depends on how it feels, the characteristics of the four species that make up the knife, and also our 'mood' that day. 

This means each chaperone is unique, and the finish is also very satisfying, it's something I really enjoy doing.