Opinel No 12, a big knife made to fit my hand

[sitflyer]

Tonight while listening to some shortwave radio broadcasts, I finally made some modifications to the handle of an Opinel No 12, which I have been wanting to do for some time now. I have spent many a time pondering the approach I wanted to use with this knife, having used it for some time as a "shed Knife". It was relegated to some heavy cutting chores to get a feel for how it worked out in hand, and to gain a general appreciation for the knife as is. My conclusions were that the round thick handle shape was a detriment to a firm grip, and rendered the knife as less than optimal for my needs, so I paid close attention to where my hand laid on the handle, and what parts of the grip were helpful, and what parts were not, and I laid out some lines for stock removal of the handle. My goal was to make the wood fit my hand, and with a half round mill bastard file I set to removing just the parts of the wood that were in the way of a good and comfortable grip.

 

[sitflyer]

 

[sitflyer]

This is where I'm at with one coat of tongue oil on the bare wood. This has really totally changed the way this knife feels in hand, offering an incredibly strong and comfortable grip on this large knife. Now I have a dilemma, as I am tempted to toss this one into my Kitchen knife drawer now, for use in doing things like peeling and splitting squashes.


It's pretty cool to have such a knife, which actually is fitted to my own hand by myself, she's a Big'un for sure, I don't know if it will end up back out in the shed, or be moved to culinary duty yet, either way, I am liking this knife a whole lot more now that I have put my mark on it...

 

[HFinn]

That looks great!

 

[sitflyer]

Thanks HFinn

 

[Wowbagger]

My conclusions were that the round thick handle shape was a detriment to a firm grip, and rendered the knife as less than optimal

Agreed.
I think you and I have discussed this knife in the past.
Glad to gaze upon your mod. Good going !
I have always thought the handle at least needed some flat spots on the sides to improve control.

 

[davek14]

Haven't listened to shortwave in a while. You a ham? N8LYT here.

Love the transition from the ring to the flat handle on the knife.

 

[afishhunter]

Great job!
You've given me inspiration for my No. 8.

 

[JTB_5]

Wow, sweet modification! It would make a great picnic or outdoor outing knife, too.

 

[edbeau]

Great Job!!

 

[sitflyer]

Agreed.
I think you and I have discussed this knife in the past.
Glad to gaze upon your mod. Good going !
I have always thought the handle at least needed some flat spots on the sides to improve control.

Thanks, it now feels like a totally different knife, reminds me of a few fixed blade knives I have the way it sits in my hand.

Haven't listened to shortwave in a while. You a ham? N8LYT here.

Love the transition from the ring to the flat handle on the knife.

Thanks, not a ham, just got into collecting a few recieivers a few years ago, I strung a random length wire in the shed for better DX'ing and always take notes on what I find.

Great job!
You've given me inspiration for my No. 8.

The No 8's are fun to work on, you can really change them to your liking pretty easily, good luck and have fun.

 

[Bugdoc]

Very nice work. I have an unmodified 10 with corkscrew in the handle in the kitchen. We have a good set of Japanese kitchen cutlery, so the Opie does the grunt work. Quite well.

 

[jmh33]

Well Done!! Looks like it fits your hand nicely!!! John

 

[sitflyer]

Wow, sweet modification! It would make a great picnic or outdoor outing knife, too.

Great Job!!

Very nice work. I have an unmodified 10 with corkscrew in the handle in the kitchen. We have a good set of Japanese kitchen cutlery, so the Opie does the grunt work. Quite well.

Well Done!! Looks like it fits your hand nicely!!! John

Thanks for the kind words guys