A lot of utility knives are works of art in and of themselves. But when you combine an already beautiful blade with a handle that’s been imbued with an artist’s touch, it takes the craftsmanship to another level.
Opinel’s limited-edition National Parks collection knives are a perfect example. The folding knife brand launched this collection on June 12, 2025, to honor our nation’s national parks with three artist-designed models of its No.08 blades.
The collection includes a Grand Canyon edition, a Yellowstone edition, and a Great Smoky Mountains edition.
“Choosing our first three parks was harder than we expected — we had to hold a company-wide vote! We’re already dreaming up the next ones, so stay tuned!” Alex Delecroix, Opinel U.S. director of Opinel, told GearJunkie. “We kicked things off with three parks — but who knows? A few more might just wander down the trail.”
These aren’t just pretty knives, either. Part of the proceeds from this limited-edition collection will be donated to Leave No Trace, which supports the stewardship and protection of these public lands.
“These specialty knives are more than just a tribute to the outdoors,” Opinel wrote in a press release. “They’re a call to protect it.”
Opinel National Parks Collection: No.08 Knives Honor 3 Parks
The National Parks Collection includes three No.08 knives. Each has a beechwood handle and a 3.28-inch, stainless steel blade. The brand chose the artists who created each design for the three knives’ handles based on their own connections to the respective parks.
The Grand Canyon knife was designed by Summer Doss, an oil painter based in Flagstaff, Ariz., who used to work as a river guide in the Grand Canyon. Her knife displays a scene from the Colorado River, looking up at the immense canyon walls.
“Grand Canyon has been one of my greatest teachers in so many ways,” Doss said. “Through the privilege of guiding down there, I’ve learned the value of a continuous connection to a place. We’ve witnessed each other through so many different seasons, literally and metaphorically.”
The Yellowstone Opinel knife was designed by Isaac Lowe-Anchor, a Montana native who specializes in the state’s wildlife and landscape art. His design pictures a geyser erupting and buffalo grazing.
“Growing up in Bozeman, Yellowstone was just an hour away — a regular weekend destination for my family,” Lowe-Anchor said. “For a long time, I took that proximity for granted. It wasn’t until later that I realized how rare and remarkable it was to have such wild beauty in my backyard.”
Finally, the Great Smoky Mountains National Parks Collection No.08 Opinel knife was designed by Matt Brass, whose art reflects his years of advocacy in sustainability. Brass has spent a lot of time wandering the Appalachian hills in and around Great Smoky Mountains National Park. His knife depicts a waterfall, a swimming trout, and the misty peaks of the Smokies.
Partnering With Artists & Leave No Trace
Opinel has been making high-quality folding knives for 135 years. Delecroix said that this collection and the partnerships with Leave No Trace and these artists are something Opinel has been hoping to do since it launched its U.S. operations in 2016.
“We knew this tribute had to be done thoughtfully — with integrity, creativity, and purpose,” Delecroix said. “That meant collaborating with talented local artists to capture the spirit of these wild places, and partnering with a nonprofit organization whose mission aligns with our values of preservation, community, and respect for nature.”
Leave No Trace said it was excited by the opportunity to partner with Opinel to celebrate these national parks.
“It’s a powerful reminder of the iconic places we protect, and the simple actions each of us can take to help preserve them for future generations,” said Dana Watts, executive director at Leave No Trace.
All of these knives are available on the Opinel website for $25. Your purchase of any one of them supports Leave No Trace, and its mission to protect and conserve places like Yellowstone, Grand Canyon, and Great Smoky Mountains National Parks.
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