When it comes to knifemaking, few are deemed as iconic as Opinel. Founded in 1890 as a small one-man operation, the firm out of Savoie, France now churns out upwards of 15,000,000 blades per year. Easily its best-selling and most recognizable product is the legendary No.08. Throughout the years, the folding knife has come in a myriad of special-edition variants and patterns. And adding to its legacy is a new version inspired by the age-old craft of hand-forged knives.

Limited to just 6,000 units, the No.8 Forge features the specs we know and love from the standard Opinel No.8, including the 8.5-cm blade length (the “8” in the name is attributed to this length) and the XC90 carbon steel blade, which has been given the “brut de forge” treatment that gives the upper portion a hammered effect. XC90, while prone to corrosion, is known for its hardness, cutting quality, and ability to be reground easily. As for the handle, we get a beautiful ebony material that’s been cut with irregular facets, oiled, and equipped with a stainless steel Virobloc locking ring.

The spectacular thing about the Opinel No.8, other than its meticulous craftsmanship, is just how perfect the knife is as a stage for these various editions and colorways, from the annual Tour de France editions to the brown-coated version that featured a handle made from rare semi-fossilized wood. One of the most notable variants we’ve seen, the No.8 Forge is admittedly similar to a standard No.8 model, but with a unique look that will certainly appeal to both fans and detractors of the knife.

To get your hands on this No.8 Forge folding knife, head over to Opinel’s website where each of these 6,000 pieces will be priced at €89 (~$97) upon launching later this spring.