i've been using an opinel as my primary knife now for about 10 years i.e. pretty much as long as i've been carrying a knife, and i've always found it be a great knife. it's the knife i use for nearly everything round camp, i've used it for skinning and cleaning small game, it's quite often the knife i use for fishing, it even gets pressed into service as a kitchen knife at home on accasion!! as for whgether it's as strong as some other knifes i really don't know, all i can say is that it's always been plenty strong enough for anything i've wanted to use it for. all in all i'd recommend it to anyone.
just my opinion of course.

take it easy.
stuart.