First Serious Opinel Mod!!!

K

knifecollector73

Joined
Jan 15, 2013
Messages
425
Christmas break is here!!! Since today was only a half-day at school i came home and decided to mod one of my Opinels. I recently acquired stag from a deer that was hit practically on my high school's campus. I've always wanted to do some handle related project on an Opinel and today i actually took that chance. I didn't do the greatest job though. It closes tight and locks up tight, but when the lock ring isn't on the blade has a fair amount of play. Still, it was my first large project. I probably should have asked before hand, but are there any tips you guys have for next time i modify an Opinel? Any tips are very appreciated. This Opinel i had previously drop pointed.

And the pictures:
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Thanks for checking out! If anyone else has put stag on an Opinel leave a pic if you want!
 
HEY!!! That looks great bud...you did a really good job!!!!!!! Much better that I could!!!!! :thumbup:
 
WHOA!

I'm impressed! you did a great job, love the old rustic look. :thumbup::thumbup::thumb up:

If the lock ring is too loose when it's just resting in a non lock position, you can take it off and just crimp it a bit with a large channel lock pliers opened up wide. Just a little squeeze will snug it up. Just a little, and try it, and if it needs more, just take it off and crimp a tiny bit more. Kind of a trial and error way.

Good job!

Carl.
 
Thanks, I will try that. That should fix most of it, but you have any advice for possibly too much material taken away where the pin goes through the blade? That seems to be another contributer.
 
Hi Knifecollector, nice mod, opies are fun to play with. Here's one I did last Christmas with a Moose tyne handle. I used a piece of the original handle, the lock area and about 1 1/2 inches behind the lock area carved down to the diameter of the lock. I drilled out the antler to the right diameter and glued and pinned the wooden piece into the bone. I cut the slot after incerting the wooden piece using the slot in the wood as a guide to keep the slot thin and straight.

Best regards

Robin
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Great work in this thread. I have an amber dyed and stabilized stag crown just begging for this kind of modification.
 
knifecollector73 said:
Thanks, I will try that. That should fix most of it, but you have any advice for possibly too much material taken away where the pin goes through the blade? That seems to be another contributer.
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Nice mod NC,I've been wanting to do the same with a piece of antler,but haven't found the right one yet.

As to the pin hole you might try filling the hole with an epoxy putty like JB Weld for wood,letting it cure then drilling it to the pin diameter.

Lacking any antler,I tried my hand at stag jigging with a dremel on the #6 below.

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Pipeman said:
Hi Knifecollector, nice mod, opies are fun to play with. Here's one I did last Christmas with a Moose tyne handle. I used a piece of the original handle, the lock area and about 1 1/2 inches behind the lock area carved down to the diameter of the lock. I drilled out the antler to the right diameter and glued and pinned the wooden piece into the bone. I cut the slot after incerting the wooden piece using the slot in the wood as a guide to keep the slot thin and straight.

Best regards

Robin
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Beautiful Robin.
 
untamed said:
Go get the pasta; this thread is full of awesome sauce! ;)
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:thumbup::):p

My daughter has said awesome sauce for years. Now it's on a TV commercial. I picked it up of course, I know all the hip jive. ;)


Anyways, I used to make flats on Opies and glue antler to them. Everyone wanted them and there are none left.



I have lots of respect for you folks who jump in and totally remake them, especially with antler. I think you did a bang up job. I like it.
 
Thanks everybody. I'm only 14 so hopefully further down the road i will have nicer tools to get a more precise handle. I did like the idea of using the original handle and adding on the stag i may try that one later. I have one more piece of stag though, and would like to make a fixed blade with a No6. I dont have one yet but hopefully ill get one soon. Anyone have any tips on making a fixed blade Opinel?
 
knifecollector73 said:
Thanks everybody. I'm only 14 so hopefully further down the road i will have nicer tools to get a more precise handle. I did like the idea of using the original handle and adding on the stag i may try that one later. I have one more piece of stag though, and would like to make a fixed blade with a No6. I dont have one yet but hopefully ill get one soon. Anyone have any tips on making a fixed blade Opinel?
Click to expand...

I have taken a folder blade and put wire (thick as possible) through the hole, doubled it, and twisted it as tightly as possible in a vise for a stick tang kind of thing. Installed it with epoxy seating as much of the blade itself into the stag and still have it look semi-good.

No idea how well it held up. I don't have it anymore.
 
davek14 said:
I have taken a folder blade and put wire (thick as possible) through the hole, doubled it, and twisted it as tightly as possible in a vise for a stick tang kind of thing. Installed it with epoxy seating as much of the blade itself into the stag and still have it look semi-good.

No idea how well it held up. I don't have it anymore.
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Thats a neat idea Dave I imagine it hung in well. On this little fixed blade I ground the tang up to the mark to get a bit more length then epoxy and a pin. I use it for fuzz sticks in my fire kit.

Best regards

Robin
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I'd to also try something like this. The only bad thing about Opinels is how they sit in my pocket. I have a few Benchmade pocket clips laying around i could try it with. Anyone on the forums tried that?
 
You should ask about adding pocket clips in the Maintenance and Tinkering Forum.

Once you add a clip, Opinels leave the territory of "Traditional".

Otherwise known as, "Ix-nay on the oket-pay ip-clay."
 
knarfeng said:
You should ask about adding pocket clips in the Maintenance and Tinkering Forum.

Once you add a clip, Opinels leave the territory of "Traditional".

Otherwise known as, "Ix-nay on the oket-pay ip-clay."
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No clip!!!!!!
 
Some nice Opie mods. OP, you're doing more at 14 than I was an still am for that matter. Getting started young and having the courage and desire to "give it a try" is a good trait that should serve you well for life.

You guys make it tough. I just got my HF 1x30 sander in to originally use with some proper belts for sharpening, but I may have to get some Opinels and put it to use modding.

I like the idea of the flats and laminating scales to them. I have a couple of Axis deer antlers around that need to be put to use. Sheesh, like I don't already have enough unfinished projects laying around.

Nice work on all of them.
 
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