loose opinel

[ayryq]

I found my opinel open in my pocket yesterday.
(!)
When I first got it, it was hard to open.
Now it's too loose
Can I tighten it?
Or should I save up for a new one?

 

[Frank]

Try to gently pry the lock collar off and then give the pivot pin a few light raps with a hammer.

 

[Revvie]

Part of the problem for pocket carry of an opinel is the fact that the wood "barrel" or handle will swell and shrink depending on moisture available -so what may be "tight" on a wet/humid day in the jungle - will be loose as a goose on a very cold dry day in Minnesota! If you can determine the AVERAGE humidity you'll be in - and pry off that locking ring and tap LIGHTLY to the desired tension.. ok but the easier way would be to wet the wood handle and let it swell - then of course the blade will probably rust. I rarely pocket carry an opinel - in the picnic basket or the back pack is safer! BUT it is still a great knife.

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Don't wrestle with the hogs - they enjoy it and you get dirty !
Jonesy

 

[Falcenberg]

On my Opinels, I had some good achievements painting a THIN layer of (be patient, I don't know the English word) transparent nail-painting, took from my at-those-time fiancee's beauty-case, on the wood one centimeter (say, 2/5 of an inch) around the pivot and on the tip of the handle, where the Viroblock ring is. If the layer is thin enough, it will "shrink" the space for the blade between the handle and will protect a little the tip of the handle from moisture.

I used nail-painting because I tought it was a little better as adhesive power and lasting than other painting. It was a good quality nail-painting.

I think (for experiences on other knives) that hammering the pivot is not so effective because there is the possibility to "hammer" it too much, blocking the blade. Morevover, the "force" applied by the pivot is applied on a small area, using painting you can use a larger area. And choosing different brands you can have different "sticking" factors, if you want, for you blade.

Falcenberg

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"Place your weapons and clothes where you can find them in the dark."

Robert A. Heinlein