1st customized Opinel

Z

zeppos

Joined
Mar 3, 2006
Messages
217
Yesterday i finished my first customized Opinel. I've shown pictures some time ago of the half way stage ("new lunchbox knife" thread), but i didn't have the time to finish it until this weekend.

I'd like to know if there are others here who also tried this (pics?).

I kept it simple, due to lack of time/experience:

IMG_2587Small.jpg



IMG_2590Small.jpg



IMG_2589Small.jpg
 
Wow zeppos, for keeping it simple you did great! Really good work man.:thumbup: :thumbup: :thumbup:

Are'nt opy's fun to fool around with?
 
Very nice job!

I've got some carving/shaping to do, both for knife handles and revolver stocks. This will provide some inspiration. Thanks!

-- Sam
 
Thanks for the positive reactions guys, y'all making me blush now... It's my first one, so i still got everything to learn. I'm waiting for the postman to bring me a 1960's booklet called "zakmeswerk" (which is dutch for "pocket knife work", about carving wood with a pocket knife). I found it on some 'bay-like site. Maybe i'll get some knowledge/inspiration out of it...

johnwaynesandw said:
That looks nice. How long did you spend working on it?
Click to expand...

I think almost an hour the first time, until i "restyled" my left thumb. I planned to put it away a couple of days for my thumb to heal, but it stayed on the shelf some weeks due to work overload. This weekend i spent another hour or so carving and varnishing. So the best part of two hours, i guess.
 
Nice customizing job! What model Opinel did you mod?
Gotta love those Opinels!
I just finished modding a number 7.
It doesn't have any carving like yours just some reshaping/refinishing of the handle and a lemon juice patina on the blade.
Basically I scalloped out the area around the nail-nick, its kinda Laguiole shaped now. Also slightly flattened the sides,drilled a little hole i the tail/butt for an old SAK ring and put a few coats of tung oil on it.
http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/.../?action=view&current=opinelno7modopenedb.jpg
http://s178.photobucket.com/albums/...knives/?action=view&current=opinelno7moda.jpg
 
Really knice work! A French fellow on here posted a website in another thread (in French of course) showing a variety of customized Opinels. They ranged from simple to WOW! Maybe a search would find it. I'm working 12 hrs days right now so I'm not on here too much currently.
 
Nice "pattattenschellerke".:D :thumbup:

Why don't you show us a pic of your "customized" thumb? :D
 
Good job.

A search over at the European Forum should bring up some nice ones.

Heres a pic of mine, the old ones didn't lock closed but I filed down the rings for that.

Luis


Click too enlarge
 
@ Jos
call it sick, but i actually did take a picture of the obligatory halfway stop :D (pls ignore the shabby bandage, i had to do it myself, and i had to do it real quick ;))

IMG_2475Small.jpg


btw, i have to admit that the fish is actually my second "custopinel". I shortened the blade on the top one for easier wood carving and i added the "easy opening" option. And i carved the fish with it, so it works :)

@ Don Luis: nice customs! i like the "mask pattern" a lot!

.
 
Ouch. So how exactly did you "restyle" your thumb? Is there a scar?
Did the Opinel bite you or was it your carving tools?
Getting cut is a unavoidable part of collecting and modding knives.I've been bit a few times myself. Sometimes i think the knife is not really yours until it has tasted its masters blood.lol!
 
It was the opinel with the shortened blade that bit me. The other one had a taped off blade. I cut towards my hand that was holding the fish-to-be. Stupid thing to do i guess...
But i kept my knife shaving sharp, even stropped it regularly while carving, so it made a really clean cut. I think that's why after only five weeks, the mark is all but completely gone.
One thing's for sure: i shouldn't kid myself, it happened before and it most probably will again...
 
Don Luis' mods are cool too. I like the Tiki best. The monkey fist lanyards are slick. I noticed yesterday my own #9 does not lock closed. The two newer Opinels I'd bought as gifts, however, did. I guess there's something to be done about that. Nice work!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top