Lockrings for Opinel #4 and #5?

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Frisky

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Dec 1, 2010
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I carry an Opinel #4 at all times. It weighs 1/3rd oz, in comparison to the 1oz weight of the #6. That makes it about the weight of a small house key. I don't have the #5, but it might be best of all for bottom of the pocket carry. The problem with #5 and smaller Opinels is the lack of a lockring. Has anyone ever made lockrings for these small knives?

Joe
 
I've never seen any after market rings for the smaller Opinels, and they seem to be sold as simple friction folders. i didn't know until a few years ago that even the larger Opinels didn't have locking rings until 1955. They all were friction folders. For most simple cutting it seems to be enough, but it wold be interesting if anyone knows of an after market locking ring for a small Opinel.
 
This is a question that has never occurred to me. I have often wondered how a guy would fabricate one in a home workshop.
 
Yes, I was thinking of making one. They are, as stated above, small friction folders, and I suppose Opinel saw no need to put a lock on such light-duty knives. However, they can open in the pocket. Also, the blade starts closing with even the lightest cutting. I still like them and really like the #6, but it is a bit bulky when you're used to that tiny #4. I think a lockring would improve these knives. Just make them a little safer.

Joe
 
Frisky said:
Yes, I was thinking of making one. They are, as stated above, small friction folders, and I suppose Opinel saw no need to put a lock on such light-duty knives. However, they can open in the pocket. Also, the blade starts closing with even the lightest cutting. I still like them and really like the #6, but it is a bit bulky when you're used to that tiny #4. I think a lockring would improve these knives. Just make them a little safer.

Joe
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They should not open in a pocket or close while cutting if you are keeping the force of the cut on the blade. maybe your's needs to be peened a bit in the pivot?

I keep mine snugged up so it's kind of stiff. Very rare do I use the locking ring at all.
 
My blade is tight one day and a little loose the next. I really have not tried to tweek it since I bought it a few years ago. Usually it stays in place fairly well. I'd just like the security of a lock. Gotta keep the lock on the #6, as I use that knife a bit harder than the smaller one.

Joe
 
You can also peen the pin to tighten the pivot a touch. Due to this an easy open notch would aid opening the knife.

Also, try giving the whole knife a good sanding to remove the stock varnish and soak it in BLO for 3-4 days. That should offer some resistance to humidity affecting the action via swelling.

For a lockring substitute, try an appropriately sized piece of electrical conduit. You might be able to find a suitable size.
 
Frisky said:
My blade is tight one day and a little loose the next. I really have not tried to tweek it since I bought it a few years ago. Usually it stays in place fairly well. I'd just like the security of a lock. Gotta keep the lock on the #6, as I use that knife a bit harder than the smaller one.

Joe
Click to expand...

Yeah, that's one of the quirks of the Opinel, it changes with the weather. Like NJBillK said, a good soak in some oil will cut that drown a graet deal. Sand down the handle and fold the sandpaper to get in the blade slot and around the pivot area. Then use either linseed oil or mineral oil to soak it, or shove a good amount of Johnson's paste floor wax, carpenters beeswax, or even Vaseline petroleum jelly into the joint and use the better halts blow drier to melt it into the wood. I've done this with the Vaseline and it does help a huge amount.

I also peen the rivet so it's stiff to open. That keeps it from getting too loose when it dries out and opening in the pocket. Opinel's are a weird quirky knife, and they are like an old 1930's car; need some working on now and then for maintenance.Add an easy open not h with a half round wood rap or some sandpaper wrapped around a dowl rod and you'll be good to go. But if you really want a lock, you'll have to stick with the number 6 and up.
 
Although the idea of fabricating a lockring would be interesting, if I wanted a size 4 opinel with lockring, I would just downsize a #6. Opinels are easily modified, and I think with some work on the handle and blade you could make a 6 very close in size to a 4. I have only handled 7,8, and 9s, but I imagine it is a somewhat equal step down on the smaller sizes. All opinels I have used have been modified. I always make the handles slimmer and less bulky overall, and have done a spear point #9.
Bruce
 
+1

You can really reduce the size of an opi by modifying the handle and blade. You get the blade thickness of the larger size as well.
 
I never really thought of slimming down the handle of the 6. That could be a good option.

Joe
 
I've slimmed down a #6 so that it's thinner than the lock ring. Came out fine.

Seems to me it might be easier to fabricate a liner lock similar to MAM knives implementation than a Opinel style lock ring.
 
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