Another Christmas Opinel modified FINAL PICS

P

Pipeman

Joined
Dec 2, 2004
Messages
5,910
I have to say I am overwhelmed by the response and the very kind comments, thanks folks, I really appreciate it.

Here is something a bit different. I have been meaning to make myself a small fixed blade for my fire starting kit, so I modified the #6 Opinel to a clip blade fire striker and blade for slivering fatwood and kindling. I ground the back of the blade to get rid of the nail nick and ground forward to the mark to lengthen the short tang. I cut the tang slot very tight and left the antler pretty thick to support the short tang and pinned it with copper. The sheath is not finished (running out of daylight) but so far the sheath is knarly goat rawhide over a wooden sheath with leather welts. It will have a Sammi type soft top to cover the handle. Sorry again for the terrible pics ;-(
The handle is very comfy and sets up the angle of attack to use the front inch of the blade, the back end is great for whittling and it seems to be very strong even with the short tang.

Thanks again and
best regards

Robin
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After all the discussion here about Opinels I had to get some. This is a number 8 that I took apart and rehandled with a piece of very aged Moose antler. The rack was hung outside under an open porch for about 90 years so had a thick bark and lychen growing on it. After sanding, the antler shows all the crazing from exposure, so beautiful IMO. Added a lanyard with a Mammoth ivory slide bead and made it a winter coat out of dyed Moose hide. Forced a dark vinegar patina and dyed the handle with Fiebings. Man, do these things take a scary sharp edge, it's replacing my CV soddie as my every day carry. Sorry for the bad pics, time for a new camera.

Best regards

Robin

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Wow, I had never wanted an Opinel until I saw this one. The Moose antler looks great as does the sheath. Two thumbs up on that one.
 
Amazing work, I wish I had the patience (and ability) to do something like that.

What is the pin below the lock collar for?
 
Sturubu said:
Amazing work, I wish I had the patience (and ability) to do something like that.

What is the pin below the lock collar for?
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There are two sleeves, the lock will pop right off if you open it with a pair of needle nose plyers. Under it is the sleeve that wraps the beechwood handle. The pivot pin has a fairly big peened head that act to hold the lock ring on and it travels on the heads to lock and unlock. I ground off the pivot pin heads and replaced it with a nail.

OK, forget all that. I figured it out when I realized you can't see the pin I was talking about. ;-)) I cut the original handle about an inch back of the ring and tapered the stub to go into a hole I drilled in the Moose antler, then epoxied the wooden pin in and pinned it, then cut the slot for the blade through the antler and copper pin. Hope this is clearer than mud ;-)) Should have taken picyures of the work in progess.

Best regards

Robin
 
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Not fan for the lanyard and the hole but that handle is amazing! Good job! :thumbup:
 
Great work! A wonderful knife, now. I really like the look of the "grain" of the antler and its well aged appeal is just great. The sheath give it a great and very "old-school-looking".

Robin: Generally, the blade of the Opinel, wether stainless or good-ol'-carbon steel take a very great edge. I believe, unseen, that it will replace a Soddie (with is a great knife, too).

Congratz on that beautiful mod!! :)
 
Robin That is amazing .How about doing mine .If you do I wont argue politics with you ,I will agree with every thing you say Chuck
 
ChuckV said:
Robin That is amazing .How about doing mine .If you do I wont argue politics with you ,I will agree with every thing you say Chuck
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Hahahahahaha, You got it, even though I'm always right. ;-))
Drop by and we'll pick a piece for the handle. My driveway is not plowed yet, I'll call you when it is.

R
 
email please. No arrangements in the threads.
 
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