Hats off................to Opinel

thisisallen said:
Thx for the reminder about those. It may be the best option - half serrated causes some hesitation to buy
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- understood..! I have nearly all plain edge blades, however, after recently using a serrated blade a little more often, while they may not be as aesthetic and glamourous, they sure are effective and get the job done - and, at that low price - whaddya got to lose..!? :)
 
😃
From Opinel CS:
Thank you for reaching out to Opinel USA!

If I understand, you like the Padouk handle but would like a standard sharp blade on it rather than the oyster-sucking designed blade. Totally understandable! We wouldn't sharpen the blade of the No.09 oyster knife, but we actually have the classic No.08 Stainless Steel folding knife with a padouk handle! You can find it here. We also have it as a No.06, so a little smaller. And if you live by the water and like to fish, all our slim fillet knife collection is available with a Padouk handle.
 
I am an opinel fan. I had not heard of the padauk handles before. I’ve been wanting to try a No 7 but I won’t be able to use padauk handle as an excuse.
 
A question for the long time Opinel users: Is there a way to loosen up the pivot on these? Mine is really stiff, or is that just the way they are? I don't expect to be able to flick it open, but the blade on mine fights the whole way out. I already spread the locking collar apart, because it was very difficult to even get it move. Now if I could just get the blade to come out easier.

I know! It's a $17 knife. What do I expect? But if I can get it working better, I know it'll get alot more use.
 
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Ironbut Ironbut - if you sharply tap the butt of the handle against something firm/palm of other hand, it starts the blade to open a wee bit, then ta-daaaaaah, easier to open with your fingers……..? That’s how I open mine more easily as blade is stiff to start.
 
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Ironbut said:
A question for the long time Opinel users: Is there a way to loosen up the pivot on these? Mine is really stiff, or is that just the way they are? I don't expect to be able to flick it open, but the blade on mine fights the whole way out. I already spread the locking collar apart, because it was very difficult to even get it move. Now if I could just get the blade to come out easier.

I know! It's a $17 knife. What do I expect? But if I can get it working better, I know it'll get alot more use.
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Here's how i do since decades.
Let the handle dry near a heat source until the pivot is loose.
Immerse it in a mix (50/50) of turpentine and linseed oil for one day. Wipe it.
It's done.

Dan.
 
Thanks for the responses, but I tried most that before, and the blade was still very stiff opening & closing. Then I did a search, and found this thread from 2014. Pretty much all the same responses, except for post #11. The screwdriver trick in post #11 was what mine needed. My Opinel #7 is now a user.

How do you loosen up a sticky Opinel

I've got a couple of my Opinels that the blade is very tough to fold in and out. I am wondering what the recommended method for loosening them up is? There are versions in the plain (regular) wood and also a sticky one that is Bubinga. Thanks for any advice, previous experiences.
www.bladeforums.com www.bladeforums.com
 
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Will Power said:
I like the smaller sizes, No.s 6 or 7, particularly useful around the garden as they cannot shut on your hand if cutting plastics or springy twigs, won't break your nail and if stainless maintenance free. Also if you lose it then another can be obtained, no fuss.
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Shame if lost in the garden they don't take root and provide a crop of new ones, in size N°2 to N°12, along with a few of the slims.

The one and only I currently have access to. N°6 (Inox blade) in Olive wood. (I didn't do the easy open notches. Or pop off (and lose) the lock ring ... yet ... I never use the lock ring, but it don't hurt anything if it is there.)
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My N°8 (Beech wood with Carbone blade) went AWOL when I moved here. ☹️

I want to get another with the Carbone blade ... Perhaps a N°7; 8; and 9 (plus an extra N°6 to transplant the blade into the olivewood handle?) and a plastic handle N°8 or 9 (along with a same size standard with Carbone blade for a blade transplant into the plastic handle. I detest/loathe serrated blades, and to be honest, prefer carbon steel blades over stain less.)
 
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One of my all time favorite knives. The more I think about it, the more I come to realize that what I like about them isn’t what they are; it’s what they are not.

They’re not fancy, they don’t require the latest nano lubricant, they aren’t hard to find, no special maintenance and they aren’t expensive.

The older I get, the more meaningful all that is. Long live Opinel!
 
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