- Joined
- May 18, 2011
- Messages
- 1,476
Hey everyone, I just wanted to share a very scatterbrained and small story of an Opinel and a very special person. The story is long and not very beautiful (in fact it is somewhat mundane, but it means alot to me.) I also have a question for you all so, if you do no want to read the story, just scroll past it.
So yesterday, I went up to my grandparents house for brunch to tell them about my backpacking trip that I just came back from. We sat around the table as I showed them interesting artifacts and stones that I had brought back and told them of my journey. It was wonderful being able to see them all again; I cannot remember the last time I really sat down with them, alongside with my uncle, and really talked to them.
After our meal, I asked if I could mess about outside as to take advantage of the last hour of sunlight. I used my time to collect my first ever pieces of fatwood and reorient myself back home again. I remember feeling somewhat humbled at how much the forest provides if you pay attention and how little it takes one to truly live happily. I got to thinking about how much knowledge (or what I would like to think is knowledge
) I would want to pass down the family line if I ever had a child. If anything, the trip I have just come back from and being back in the forests again, has made me become exited for my future; if I play my cards right, I could spend my life out here.
When the set had set, I returned with a large pile of resinous fatwood. As I entered the doorway, my grandfather gave me a funny look.
"What's that?"
"This is some fatwood I found outside while I was out. Here, have a look."
He looked at my find with a small smile and we both left the mudroom for the dining table. Strewn about across the table and benches, boxes, envelopes, files, books and photos occupied every inch of usable space. As a whole, we looked through mountains of old photos and certificates, my mother's and uncle's old school work...we swam through an ocean of memories, nostalgia and history. I cannot explain what it was that I felt, but my heart was warmed by the entire experience; A few members of the family even began to tear up as we laughed, smiled and reminisced.
My grandfather then took me upstairs to show me the music that he had put on a flash drive for me to listen to (I had asked him about much of his music so, for Christmas, he compiled a copious collection of music for me from his collection). We watched videos of Burningman (Since he goes about every year), exchanged interesting music and videos that we knew the other would enjoy and eventually fell into a conversation about new projects that I was dreaming up. I had asked him if he had any scrap pieces of wood to spare from his latest project since I was planning (and still am) about making 'poor man's sharpening stones' with sandpaper. With that, we headed outside to the second garage; his workshop.
There, we combed through a decent pile, picked out the best scraps, and proceeded to his bench. Since I know that he carries and SAK with him everywhere he goes, I asked if he had any blades that needed to be touched up. He gave me a contemplative stare and began to point his pinger at his large toolbox.
"I have some cheap knives in there if you wanna look."
I combed through and drawers and, to my surprise, I found two well-loved electricians knives in a drawer. I admired them greatly and placed them back with care. I was somewhat disappointed that I was unable to read the tang stamp on one of them, but I was happy enough that they had been loved in VERY caring hands. (I wish I could have gotten pics for you guys, I will try again some other time). In the drawer below, I found a very abused Opinel No.8.
"Do you want me to fix this old girl up? It looks like she has been though hell and back."
"Psshhh, oh no..." he said half smiling, "That is a dangerous knife, it is designed horribly. It is dull and I have cut myself with that damn thing so many times...well, that's when you get cut anyway, when it is dull. You can have it if you want it. I don't" he said with a chuckle.
I looked at him with a smile, "Are you sure? I really think that all she needs is a little spa treatment and she will be fine."
"No, no, take it."
After we finished up, we returned inside where everyone was gathered around the television with desert. All I could do was sit at the counter fondling this Opinel that I had just received. Under the circumstances that I had gotten this knife in, it was very casual and unimportant to say the least. To me, however, I wanted to bust into tears. Heck, I am kinda fighting them now just thinking about it...I kept thinking about how much we had done together. Very often in my short life of 18 years, my grandfather and I would do projects together. From working on my Pinewood Derby car in Cub Scouts to my latest knife-related projects, we have been side by side. I feel like I have been given a piece of history passed down from one generation to the next; kinda like that feeling I was thinking about when I was collecting fatwood. I now have a project to do by myself; to fix up this old Opinel. I will be working on this myself, but he will still be with me in a way as I restore this old girl.
Thanks for reading my little tale behind the Opinel, I just thought it would be nice to share. I love you Papa!
Now to pics and some questions
Also, before I forget, I realize that this should probably go into the maintenance forum and/or others, but I wanted to share with you guys my little story, pics of my new project and hear your recommendations from THIS forum in particular since this is 'traditional specific'.
Here is my 'new' Opinel
As you can hopefully see, the edge is heavily damaged and needs some work...
Some blood on the handle and inside the knife
In my quest to fix up and personalize this gift, I have a few questions as to how I can accomplish some of the things that I want to do. As you can see, I already have the ring off already. I have also gotten most of the rust off of the blade and ring, but there is still some in the inner workings of the pivot pin area that must be taken care of. I would like to remove the pin, clean up the blade, clean the blood on the inside of the handle, reshape and waterproof the handle and work on the blade. At this point, I am stuck though; I do not know the best way to remove the pin without destroying it so I can continue.
With this I have some questions...
-How do I remove the pivot pin without destroying it?
-If I have to replace it, what should I use as a new pivot pin?
-How should I clean the blood from the inside without removing too much material?
-What would be best to use for waterproofing the handle after sanding?
Is there anything else you can think of that I could do with this old girl? I will keep everyone updated on my progress in restoring and modifying this gem; I cannot wait to see what becomes of it. Anything you guys want to say, add, suggest, criticize, etc. is more than welcome. In fact, I encourage it.
Thank you so much for everything guys, I truly appreciate you time!
Make sure everyone you care about knows that you love 'em. Life is too short...
Take care everyone,
-Deadfall
So yesterday, I went up to my grandparents house for brunch to tell them about my backpacking trip that I just came back from. We sat around the table as I showed them interesting artifacts and stones that I had brought back and told them of my journey. It was wonderful being able to see them all again; I cannot remember the last time I really sat down with them, alongside with my uncle, and really talked to them.
After our meal, I asked if I could mess about outside as to take advantage of the last hour of sunlight. I used my time to collect my first ever pieces of fatwood and reorient myself back home again. I remember feeling somewhat humbled at how much the forest provides if you pay attention and how little it takes one to truly live happily. I got to thinking about how much knowledge (or what I would like to think is knowledge
) I would want to pass down the family line if I ever had a child. If anything, the trip I have just come back from and being back in the forests again, has made me become exited for my future; if I play my cards right, I could spend my life out here. When the set had set, I returned with a large pile of resinous fatwood. As I entered the doorway, my grandfather gave me a funny look.
"What's that?"
"This is some fatwood I found outside while I was out. Here, have a look."
He looked at my find with a small smile and we both left the mudroom for the dining table. Strewn about across the table and benches, boxes, envelopes, files, books and photos occupied every inch of usable space. As a whole, we looked through mountains of old photos and certificates, my mother's and uncle's old school work...we swam through an ocean of memories, nostalgia and history. I cannot explain what it was that I felt, but my heart was warmed by the entire experience; A few members of the family even began to tear up as we laughed, smiled and reminisced.
My grandfather then took me upstairs to show me the music that he had put on a flash drive for me to listen to (I had asked him about much of his music so, for Christmas, he compiled a copious collection of music for me from his collection). We watched videos of Burningman (Since he goes about every year), exchanged interesting music and videos that we knew the other would enjoy and eventually fell into a conversation about new projects that I was dreaming up. I had asked him if he had any scrap pieces of wood to spare from his latest project since I was planning (and still am) about making 'poor man's sharpening stones' with sandpaper. With that, we headed outside to the second garage; his workshop.
There, we combed through a decent pile, picked out the best scraps, and proceeded to his bench. Since I know that he carries and SAK with him everywhere he goes, I asked if he had any blades that needed to be touched up. He gave me a contemplative stare and began to point his pinger at his large toolbox.
"I have some cheap knives in there if you wanna look."
I combed through and drawers and, to my surprise, I found two well-loved electricians knives in a drawer. I admired them greatly and placed them back with care. I was somewhat disappointed that I was unable to read the tang stamp on one of them, but I was happy enough that they had been loved in VERY caring hands. (I wish I could have gotten pics for you guys, I will try again some other time). In the drawer below, I found a very abused Opinel No.8.
"Do you want me to fix this old girl up? It looks like she has been though hell and back."
"Psshhh, oh no..." he said half smiling, "That is a dangerous knife, it is designed horribly. It is dull and I have cut myself with that damn thing so many times...well, that's when you get cut anyway, when it is dull. You can have it if you want it. I don't" he said with a chuckle.
I looked at him with a smile, "Are you sure? I really think that all she needs is a little spa treatment and she will be fine."
"No, no, take it."
After we finished up, we returned inside where everyone was gathered around the television with desert. All I could do was sit at the counter fondling this Opinel that I had just received. Under the circumstances that I had gotten this knife in, it was very casual and unimportant to say the least. To me, however, I wanted to bust into tears. Heck, I am kinda fighting them now just thinking about it...I kept thinking about how much we had done together. Very often in my short life of 18 years, my grandfather and I would do projects together. From working on my Pinewood Derby car in Cub Scouts to my latest knife-related projects, we have been side by side. I feel like I have been given a piece of history passed down from one generation to the next; kinda like that feeling I was thinking about when I was collecting fatwood. I now have a project to do by myself; to fix up this old Opinel. I will be working on this myself, but he will still be with me in a way as I restore this old girl.
Thanks for reading my little tale behind the Opinel, I just thought it would be nice to share. I love you Papa!
Now to pics and some questions
Also, before I forget, I realize that this should probably go into the maintenance forum and/or others, but I wanted to share with you guys my little story, pics of my new project and hear your recommendations from THIS forum in particular since this is 'traditional specific'.
Here is my 'new' Opinel
As you can hopefully see, the edge is heavily damaged and needs some work...
Some blood on the handle and inside the knife
In my quest to fix up and personalize this gift, I have a few questions as to how I can accomplish some of the things that I want to do. As you can see, I already have the ring off already. I have also gotten most of the rust off of the blade and ring, but there is still some in the inner workings of the pivot pin area that must be taken care of. I would like to remove the pin, clean up the blade, clean the blood on the inside of the handle, reshape and waterproof the handle and work on the blade. At this point, I am stuck though; I do not know the best way to remove the pin without destroying it so I can continue.
With this I have some questions...
-How do I remove the pivot pin without destroying it?
-If I have to replace it, what should I use as a new pivot pin?
-How should I clean the blood from the inside without removing too much material?
-What would be best to use for waterproofing the handle after sanding?
Is there anything else you can think of that I could do with this old girl? I will keep everyone updated on my progress in restoring and modifying this gem; I cannot wait to see what becomes of it. Anything you guys want to say, add, suggest, criticize, etc. is more than welcome. In fact, I encourage it.
Thank you so much for everything guys, I truly appreciate you time!
Make sure everyone you care about knows that you love 'em. Life is too short...
Take care everyone,
-Deadfall
Last edited:
ah well, practice makes perfect
