*Finished!* A Story and a Question (Somewhat off-topic)

Obsessed with Edges said:
Back when I sanded and finished mine, I was contemplating taking a little more off the butt end of the handle, near the end of the blade recess. The thought did occur to me, at that time, that if I went too far, the tip of the blade would be exposed. So the next thought was, 'how would I fix that?' That's how that idea came about. It's why I love these projects; it gets my brain engaged, and sometimes makes me consider things that otherwise would likely never occur to me.
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Here, here! That is why I love doing this kind of stuff too :)
 
well, seeing as I am an unemployed househusband at this time, i took a break from doing chores and took a few pics for ya
hope this illustrates what i am talking about better

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I'd just start digging in that blade recess, using one of the methods in my earlier reply. Might take a while; that's quite a lot of exposure there. With any luck, the blade is resting in the area near the tip only; there's more room there to dig deep, if you have to. My main worry is if the whole blade edge is touching, or very close inside. That'll take a lot more work, if so. Also depends how much wood there is between the bottom of the recess, and the back of the handle. Might use a ruler to figure out how deep the recess is, compared to the handle thickness, and how much the blade needs to be lowered to fit. Another possible issue might be the back of the blade edge pivoting into the edge of the ferrule inside. If the blade hits the ferrule before it's low enough, there won't be much else that can be done (save for grinding away the rear of the blade's edge; probably more trouble than it's worth on a $15 knife). That, or reshape the blade's tip as a drop point.

One other thing, just in case. I assume you've already checked for it, but I'd make doubly sure there isn't any sanding debris stuck under the blade in the recess, or in the pivot itself, which might make the blade ride high. Don't think that would fix the whole problem by itself, but it might make some difference in how deep you'll have to go with the filing.
 
Quick Update:

Sorry I haven't posted any updates recently, things have come up that have impeded progress. I am actually headed up to my grandparents house tonight, so I will try to finish the Opinel tomorrow! :thumbup:

I am very disappointed at the moment with my No. 8. I used it to open a piece of mail I had gotten today and, when I looked at the edge after I went downstairs a while later, it was damaged!! I swear, it looks like I smacked the edge against a stone on the area that was used to open the letter. It seems that my edge may have been too acute to be used as an EDC. Ah well, you live and you learn!

I will try to get pics if I can get this darn camera to do what I want it to; it is beginning to tick me off! :mad:

Thanks for your patience guys, I can't wait to show you the finished product soon.
 
DeadFall27 said:
Quick Update:

Sorry I haven't posted any updates recently, things have come up that have impeded progress. I am actually headed up to my grandparents house tonight, so I will try to finish the Opinel tomorrow! :thumbup:

I am very disappointed at the moment with my No. 8. I used it to open a piece of mail I had gotten today and, when I looked at the edge after I went downstairs a while later, it was damaged!! I swear, it looks like I smacked the edge against a stone on the area that was used to open the letter. It seems that my edge may have been too acute to be used as an EDC. Ah well, you live and you learn!

I will try to get pics if I can get this darn camera to do what I want it to; it is beginning to tick me off! :mad:

Thanks for your patience guys, I can't wait to show you the finished product soon.
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I noticed, when I thinned the edges on mine (a carbon No. 08, as well as the stainless equivalent), the carbon blade is a little more 'delicate' at very thin edge angles. I used wet/dry paper to do it, and had fixed the paper to a piece of glass with some layers of catalog paper in between (for a little cushion). Everything was held in place using binder clips. I inadvertently managed to bump the edge lightly into the clips a time or two, and it left some noticeable dings on the edge of the carbon blade. The Sandvik stainless in the other one was a little more durable under the same circumstances. I've also noticed the carbon blade is a little easier to round off or roll the edge with sloppy angle control on the strop. So, lesson learned: these are wicked slicers when thin, but tasks assigned to them must be chosen carefully.

You might be able to put a slight microbevel on the edge, at just a degree or two higher, and that might make all the difference in most/all of the tasks you choose for that blade. Don't give up on it. The thin convex geometry of the blade, as a whole, will still profoundly affect the cutting performance of the knife, in a GOOD way. :)
 
Rsmith_77 said:
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ahh hah! i managed to fix this little problem
tried a couple things but what finally did the trick, is i have this set of TINY screwdrivers...really small.
basically just carved the groove deeper and deeper till it fit right

I am very happy. Got the rest of the handle sanded to where i am happy with it. Gotta clean it out good, who knows how much sawdust is in there right now :P
but i'll try and get some pics. next stop, re-staining the handle...i feel better, since this knife was given to me, i would have hated to ruin it
 
Rsmith_77 said:
ahh hah! i managed to fix this little problem
tried a couple things but what finally did the trick, is i have this set of TINY screwdrivers...really small.
basically just carved the groove deeper and deeper till it fit right

I am very happy. Got the rest of the handle sanded to where i am happy with it. Gotta clean it out good, who knows how much sawdust is in there right now :P
but i'll try and get some pics. next stop, re-staining the handle...i feel better, since this knife was given to me, i would have hated to ruin it
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Outstanding! :thumbup:

That's great news. I was beginning to worry a bit, since we hadn't heard back from you. ;)

The small screwdriver 'carving tool' idea is a good one. I could see, if one were really inclined to do so, even bending/shaping the tips on these for 'special duty' carving tasks, such as in this example.

Looking forward to seeing those pics.
 
ok here we go

first here are the tools i used to chisel out the groove
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and a few pics of the knife with the tools for size comparisons
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and the money shot i suspect :p
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Rsmith_77 said:
ok here we go

first here are the tools i used to chisel out the groove
001-13.jpg


and a few pics of the knife with the tools for size comparisons
003-10.jpg


004-10.jpg


and the money shot i suspect :p
002-10.jpg
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Wonderful!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I knew it wouldn't take long for you to figure it out :thumbup:

So now that you have the handle done, what are you going to do to stain your handle? I didn't have time to stain mine this weekend, I was having fun with a shingler's hammer and sharpening my woods blades for a trip that is coming up :D:o
 
i picked up a stain
just want to make sure i read the directions (how long to let it set etc)
might be a few weeks till my next update ..just fyi
 
DeadFall27,

I like the way you re shaped the blade. I'm thinking of getting a couple of No. 8s to mod.

If you use boiled linseed oil, I would soak the handle in it overnight. Wipe it down, let it dry for a day or two. Then add several coats over the next week, letting it set over night between coats. From what I understand, the boiled linseed oil oxidizes and polymerizes. Do becareful with the rags with linseed oil on them, they can spontaneously combust. Here's a link: http://www.naturalhandyman.com/iip/infpai/inflinspontaneouscombust.html.

I personally like the Watco Danish oil a lot. Since it does contain linseed oil, you do need to becareful with the rags.

Thanks for sharing the story with us.

Ric
 
Adding to Phydeaux's comments about linseed/Watco-soaked rags:

I was concerned about disposing of the rags & paper towels I used with the Watco Danish Oil. So, I just filled a coffee can with water and added some dish detergent (Ivory liquid), and dropped them into it. Let them really soak in there for days, then tossed 'em (still wet). Don't think there'll be any worries about spontaneous combustion. As a side benefit, the dish soap in the mix does a great job in masking the odor of the Danish Oil. This worked great for me, since I was working indoors. :)
 
Alight guys and gals, my project is finished!!! I apologize that it took so long, life kinda got in the way :o

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The crappy cell pics do not do justice at all. I would have better pics, but my camera crapped out on me :mad:


I hope you guys enjoyed this little journey with me. If you have any new ideas, questions, criticism, etc let me know!!
Thank you all so much for sharing, posting, reading and taking part in this thread; it means a lot!!!!!


Take care and take it easy, I love you guys :thumbup:

-Deadfall
 
DeadFall27 said:
Alight guys and gals, my project is finished!!! I apologize that it took so long, life kinda got in the way :o

The crappy cell pics do not do justice at all. I would have better pics, but my camera crapped out on me :mad:

I hope you guys enjoyed this little journey with me. If you have any new ideas, questions, criticism, etc let me know!!
Thank you all so much for sharing, posting, reading and taking part in this thread; it means a lot!!!!!


Take care and take it easy, I love you guys :thumbup:

-Deadfall
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That's great work. Well done! :thumbup:

I'm really starting to believe it's always best to let these things get 'done' in their own time. No need to force a conclusion before it's ready, and the results are usually worth it. That's clearly evident here. :)
 
Very nice job on the knife. My Grandfather gave me an Openial when I was a young teenager (almost 30 years ago) and I still have it. I was glad to hear you were putting a waterproof finish on it. Years ago I spent a day in the creek with the knife in my pocket. The handle swelled up for a while and I didn't think I would ever get that rascle opened. My Grandpa was really hard on knives ( he sharpened them on his grinder) so I don't have any that he didn't "slim" down the blade. You are wise beyond your years to know how important it is to appreciate your Grandparents while you have them. Think I'll go find that knife right now
 
Hey DF...Very nice job you did on that blade:thumbup: Nice work all around!
I enjoyed your story, and you should be proud. That Opi is now a beautiful tool that you can cherish for many years :)
 
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