Opinel Knives

[TheOne45]

I can’t see it slicing bread, but after 1990, the lock rings gained a cutout on the bottom that held the blade closed if you turned the ring. That notch made it possible while opening the blade to lever the ring off the knife and send it flying. The first time it happened to me, I was in my son’s back yard, and never saw the lock ring again.
The 1990 “improvement” was the answer to a question that nobody was asking; In the twenty-odd years prior to that time, I carried Opinels without ever having one open in my pocket. The answer to flying lock rings was the more recent design change that limits axial movement of the ring by a nub on the inner surface of the lockring that runs in a groove in the ferrule. It also limits locking rotation of the ring to one direction. This new setup works okay for a while, but I like to turn my lock-rings the other way, so I modify my new Opinels to permit that.

That's a good point.
By the way, I never understand why to lock Opinels in closed position unless small childrens are involved. I could say with confidence Opinels are not self opening knives. At least all my Opinels were more on the hard side to open directly from factory.

 

[jdswitters]

When I was taking care of a horse I cut a lot of baling twine and moved small bales on a regular basis. Throw 3 bales over the fence and cut all three while needing to move the ones on top off the next ones without putting the knife away. I started out lazy and didn't use the lock until after twice the blade moved when I didn't intend for it and the pointy end was pointed somewhere unexpected. No blood but if it has a lock collar I use it. They can move around a lot more than a slip joint will.

Cheers,

 

[Choctaw Dan]

That's a good point.
By the way, I never understand why to lock Opinels in closed position unless small childrens are involved. I could say with confidence Opinels are not self opening knives. At least all my Opinels were more on the hard side to open directly from factory.

If carrying an Opinel in a front pocket, there are several good reasons to lock it closed. One that many folks don't think about is the extreme nearness of the femoral artery. Cut that, and one can bleed out in as little as 60 seconds.

I consider the lock-closed feature as an insurance policy.

 

[ShaiHulud]

I've been living off of opinels exclusively for a while now, from whittling big ol wooden poles at the beach to mail opening, box cutting, food prepping, nail cleaning, stuff that some people look to a 400$ folder to do and I find it excels in all these. I also feel better with the lock turned when the knife is both open and closed, allows me to not be super conscious about it, ease of mind, also extends its versatility and cutting strength because the knife is now held in place and doesn't flex so much, unbind from material during cutting a lot easier, etc
I had a no 5 almost close on me because it got stuck in material I was cutting and didn't know until I pulled away, the edge almost kissed my thumb, so I went ahead with the virobloc models afterwards

 

[elkins45]

Even on construction sites, they work great

Opinel_line_setting by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

My current one has padauk wood scales that I flattened the sides to prevent rolling in hand while using, much handier now in my opinion

Untitled by GaryWGraley, on Flickr

G2

Sanding flats onto the scales is a very useful mod. I keep a stainless Opinel in my boat and it received the same treatment so it won’t roll off into the water so easily.

 

[benedictus sahat]

My opinel mod, just light mod

 

[Alberta Ed]

Melt some floor wax into the blade slot and rub it around to seal the handle so it won't absorb moisture and bind the bade.

 

[Henry Beige]

My opinel mod, just light mod

Neither the finger grooves nor the clip are for me, but still, nice work.

 

[jfk1110]

My opinel mod, just light mod

Not bad!!!!