Engineers and other Smart Guys: Would this Work? Opinel.

S

Scott Free

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Sep 15, 1999
Messages
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I have an Opinel No.9. Tonight I realized that the locking ring and a portion of the wooden handle is very close, if not exactly, the same diameter of a mini-mag flashlight. That being the case, a pocket clip intended for said flashlight would also fit the Opinel. If the clip could be modified so as to fit the metal ring, it would serve as a pocket clip and would also permit one-handed locking and unlocking. You would need to grind away the top portion of the pocket clip so it would fit below the bulge in the center of the ring. You would lose some grip. I can't imagine that epoxy would hold up for very long. Could the pocket clip be soldered to the ring? Would it hold? I have my doubts about these methods. What about attaching the pocket clip to the wooden handle. I'd think it would be easy to add a few small screws. The Opinels are available in different woods. Olivewood, beech, and walnut. (are the others?) Is one wood better than another for this? Any thoughts on attaching the mag-light clip to the locking ring? What about attaching the clip to wood? (I'm not expecting the tension of a BM or Spyderco.)

Scott
 
Quite frequently actually. Maybe I'm just crazy... :confused:

His posts were 2 minutes apart.



Anyway, I don't know about soldering the clip on. Soldering is usually done with lead, or sliver. Also you'll have to take off the ring to do it. The solder may not fuse well considering the ring is SS.

I can lock/unlock mine one handed with no problems, but the action is stiff enough to where I don't even bother locking.
 
I'd suggest using a metal to metal type glue. (I don't know any brand names in the UK though). I don't see a reason why it shouldn't work well, a maglite is heavier then a opinel if it's the mini mag so the clip should hold it on ok. I'd be inclined to screw the clip onto the handle for tip up carry and maybe add a thumbstud
 
Rat and Underaged,

I'm confused by the Deja Vu comment. Who posted what twice within two minutes? Did I do something stupid or wrong that I am missing?

Scott
 
I doubt soldering would work well, if at all. Screws are really the best way, afterall there is a reason that they are used on just about every other pocket clip. Other than that a product like J&B Pro Weld might work out ok, it is basically an epoxy designed to bond metal.
 
Scott Ridgeway said:
Rat and Underaged,

I'm confused by the Deja Vu comment. Who posted what twice within two minutes? Did I do something stupid or wrong that I am missing?

Scott
Click to expand...

No, I had posted an answer to the thread, then I checked it again, and thought my post had disappeared, only to realize you had posted a duplicate of the thread- (this one here) :D so there are two of these threads :)
 
The ring is plated, pretty thickly but it's possible to grind it off. I ground all the plating off one once so I could blue it....
 
Cougar Allen said:
The ring is plated, pretty thickly but it's possible to grind it off. I ground all the plating off one once so I could blue it....
Click to expand...

Yes, it is plated. On my knife, besides changing the blade and handle shape, I also soaked the blade and locking ring in Radio Shack etching fluid. The blade turned blackish, and the fluid ate away the plating. The locking ring is a nice satin gray. I intend to do the same with the mag-lite clip. Does this make soldering a more likely solution?

Scott
 
Engineer to the rescue:

Soldering will not work, it does not work well on steel, and it would need a very large contact area to handle any reasonable load.

Best bet would be to use small self-tapping screws. You will need to pre-drill the holes in the wood using a Dremel tool and a smaller drill size than the screw, and then screw once, do not overtighten, and leave them alone.

Of course, you will have to make a suitable clip first.
 
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