Just finished my first modded Opinel - show us yours!

Hi guys!

Thank you for your replies! You should try an own mod. Is really fun... I still have a new #7 and a #9 lying around here. I gonna give them a mod, when I find time.

@~P.: Yes, the blade slot is open now. That´s the only not so beautifil effect on that one. Another think, is just made the handle a very little slimmer. So I needed to attache the easy-opening. I added a nail nick. Now it can be opened very easily. :)

Kind regards
andi
 
La Hire said:
Humppa your work is fine
have you look this frenchie Opiwan is his name

http://forum.neoczen.org/viewtopic.php?f=8&t=4780
Click to expand...

I hadn't seen his work before-- thanks!

OWL SIGHTING:

opibou10.jpg


~ P.
 
Hi La Hire!

Thank you for the link ... THIS guy has talent... Wow! what great mods. Thank you for showing it off.

I know, I can work a little with wood and metal - but these are outstanding modifications.

Kind regards
Andi
 
Bump!

I refinished my drop point #10. In it's previous incarnation, it was entirely dyed black. Didn't care for how it held up (my inexperience with dye!), so I sanded it down. After sanding, the dark grain held the black dye and the light did not. Redyed it wit Rit brown dye and let stand over night. Washed off all excess dye (the step I didn't do before) and got this interesting tiger-stripe effect.

The #8 was sanded and dyed just using Rit brown dye. Again, let stand overnight and washed off all excess dye before top coating with Tung Oil/varnish. This is the first stain/dye of the hard beech that I've been satisfied with. Looks warmer in person. The flash on this shot washes it out.

Thanks for looking and keep posting those Opinel mods.


Opinel #10 and #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr
 
Hey Andi, I thought about this thread and just wanted to show the # 10 that I have been working on. Did some carving of the handle, and a gun metal blue finish on the blade.



IMG_2894.jpg
 
This thread caused me to order an Opinel Ebauche #8 in Cherry wood & a carbon steel blade. Hopefully it turns out well, if not I'll send it to someone for Micarta handles.
 
Here are mine. The only mod I really do is to switch out the stainless with the carbon blades. Below, I have my Father's day gift, an Opinel 8 in Oak, and a recent buy, the 8 in Snakewood. The Oak has gotten a ton of pocket time and will continue. The Snakewood is nice, but it was not a Father's day gift.

Halloween2012007.jpg
 
Duane, I would love to see some other shots of the handle if you have some time. Would love to see the handle from the rear to see more of the tapering. Looks very nice and reminiscent of the canoe inspired Opinel we saw a while back in this thread (or another).

How hard was the bluing?

Here are better shots of the current Opinels that I discussed above.


Opinel #10 (drop point) & Opinel #8 by Pinnah, on Flickr

The top is a #10 with a thinned easy open handle and modified to a drop point. The #8 has only had its handle refinished. Force patina on both.
 
Here ya' go Pinnah.


IMG_2905.jpg



IMG_2898.jpg



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The blueing process is quite simple, simply de-grease the blade and apply. I use cotton balls/ Q tips to apply the solution. Natural fibers seem to get the best results. The # 10 has about 5 applications, of which the last 3 I actually very gently scrub the metal with a small piece of scotch brite while it is working. In between applications I wipe the metal down with Isopro, then gently burnish it with 0000 steel wool. Then back to the sink with some dish detergent and a warm rinse then dry. The whole process takes about 1-1/2 hours.
Note that the solution is toxic. Ingredient listed is SELENIUM DIOXIDE. After the reaction and cleansing I believe the blade to be safe.


Note that the #6 is a natural patina...this knife is my TV room fruit knife and it gets a daily diet of apples and pears ;) Blades are similarly oriented to show the difference in appearence from full reflected light, to both in shadow light.


IMG_2903.jpg



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Of cousre the very last step is to apply some Vaseline to the pivot, Thanks Carl!
I make a small spatula from a bamboo skewer and dab it around the area, then leave a small dab on the tang and melt it into the pivot using a Bic lighter. Works slicker than a greasy metal doorknob!
 
Wow... great works everyone :)

The blueing of the blade is one thing, I wanna do on an Opinel at one time... That just looks great!

Congratz Duane & pinnah - great work your Opinel. When I´m back on duty - I gonna mod another of my Opinels... thats always great fun!
 
Thanks Andi, I was going to chop it down like the one you did, but when I felt the #10 in hand I just love it's size...Very handy knife, kitchen wise. This one is already in the drawer with my other cooking cutlery :)
 
It looks great, Duane... the blueing worked great. The Opinel #10 is a little too big in my (small) hands. I believe that it will make a great job in the kitchen. Maybe I gonna reprofile the blade to a droppoint or a sheepfoot (again). I will see in which mood I am ;)
You use Selenium Oxide for the blueing... maybe I gonna use some browning stuff (like it used for firearms) - though I won´t be able to use the knife for food prep after that.
 
Humppa said:
It looks great, Duane... the blueing worked great. The Opinel #10 is a little too big in my (small) hands. I believe that it will make a great job in the kitchen. Maybe I gonna reprofile the blade to a droppoint or a sheepfoot (again). I will see in which mood I am ;)
You use Selenium Oxide for the blueing... maybe I gonna use some browning stuff (like it used for firearms) - though I won´t be able to use the knife for food prep after that.
Click to expand...
Andi, it's Birchwood Casey's gun blue...the label lists Selenium Dioxide...I believe that after reacting with the steel, and being washed off thoroughly, that my blade is safe for food...
 
Thanks for the advice, Duane. I have doubt, that in Germany Birchwood Casey´s gun blue is available. I gonna take a look on another gunblue with the same ingrediences. :)
 
opinels are fun to play with this started out as 2 no 7's

P1000478.jpg


have a mind to try and mod a similar sized one with a saw blade at some point
 
Rinos, I love that effect:thumbup: looks very grippy!

Corso, I always enjoy your pics of your twofer Opie :thumbup:
 
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