Opinel pocket carry

D

davek14

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May 30, 2009
Messages
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Just got done modding an Opinel today and I've got the bug again. I'm going to pick up a few tomorrow to mod. I'll keep the very best one and give the rest as Christmas gifts.

That's the plan but, it just hit me, I had an Opinel work it's way open in my pocket once. It was the newer locking ring as well. I reacted quickly enough to not get hurt but it could have been bad.

I had pocket carried for a while with no issues and I've pocket carried quite a bit since with no problems. Since that happened I pay attention for a while and mod the ring if needed and feel confident enough to back pocket carry a #6 (THAT would be a surprise if it opened!).

I won't have that option on the ones I intend to gift, and I will be gifting to non-knife-knuts. If after they had "Oooh'ed" and "Aaah'ed" over the "pretty wooden knife" I said "Be careful, it might open in your pocket." it would detract greatly from the gift.

So, how about it? Anyone had an Opinel open in their pocket? Ever? Or was it a fluke? Any input on Opi pocket carry at all?
 
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Interesting. I've carried (and still do carry) Opinel knives quite a bit. They ride in my pocket, are standard gear in my hiking backpack, in my first aid kits,... Never had one opening on my, or in the backpack, or just anywhere. I've carried both locking ring-types, neither has given me any problem whatsoever.
 
I carried the older style and had to stop because it opened readily in the pocket.

I have a new style lock No. 9 that I have been carrying now for a while with no issues.
 
Never happened to me either.
As a sidenote, I've seen (on some thread here) someone mod the locking ring so that it could go almost 1/4 of circle round the bolster, thus providing a "deeper" lock (normally, the locking ring does less than 1/8 of circle). Maybe you can do the same, if it makes you feel safer.

:cool:
 
Never had an issue… but then, the Opi I had was so tight that — not exaggerating — I needed a pair of pliers to open it! No amount of modding made it as smooth as some others I've seen. Heh.
 
quattromori said:
Never happened to me either.
As a sidenote, I've seen (on some thread here) someone mod the locking ring so that it could go almost 1/4 of circle round the bolster, thus providing a "deeper" lock (normally, the locking ring does less than 1/8 of circle). Maybe you can do the same, if it makes you feel safer.

:cool:
Click to expand...

That's what I've done to a couple I carry. By making the slope of the lock more gradual, you get more friction. Thing is, it will make the ring "ride up" toward the end of the knife as you lock. Maybe I'm not doing it how it was intended, maybe I just need to fine tune things, I dunno.

I enjoy tinkering and over-analysing stuff like this when I get bored. I just don't want to do this to gift knives just yet.
 
If the wood dries out too much you lose all the friction on the pivot and the knife opens easily. Dunk the ring end in vegetable oil for a bit and then dry off. The wood should have swelled back up. The French carry theirs with the blade squeezed quite hard into the slot. To open bang the little corner of the fish tail on the table.
 
parbajtor said:
If the wood dries out too much you lose all the friction on the pivot and the knife opens easily. Dunk the ring end in vegetable oil for a bit and then dry off. The wood should have swelled back up. The French carry theirs with the blade squeezed quite hard into the slot. To open bang the little corner of the fish tail on the table.
Click to expand...


Exactly so! And I usually dry an Opi on purpose to an extent, then soak the joint in mineral oil to tighten back up and make more resistant to moisture.

Opi's are great knives to tinker with. I've seen them described recently as a perfect knife "kit".

I'm just going to be giving these to non-knife folks this time and don't know what to say to them, if anything.
 
Thanks to all who answered me. It is still a bit unclear but it seems that it is unlikely that an Opi will open in your pocket.

Here is a pic of the first one I modded. "No pics-didn't happen". Just taking the bump towards your palm off, making a relief to be able to pinch the blade open, and blending it all in while sanding it it a bit slimmer is all that really makes sense.

In front is a Green River blade I made some slabs for as well. Not much of a picture taker, it is all forshortened.


Knives008.jpg
 
Wow--nice job on that Green River! Aluminum scales, it looks like?
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
Wow--nice job on that Green River! Aluminum scales, it looks like?
Click to expand...

Thanks. Yes they are aluminum.

RevDevil - I've done the rubber band trick. I can usually play with an Opinel till I'm pretty sure they won't open myself, but these are for gifts. I'm just going to have to figure out a way to say "This will 99.9% sure not open in your pocket, but take a little care.".
 
All you have to do is just lock it closed using the notch that's present on the newer ones. I've never once had mine loosen on me.
 
FortyTwoBlades said:
All you have to do is just lock it closed using the notch that's present on the newer ones. I've never once had mine loosen on me.
Click to expand...

Every one I've ever had has been so tight, there's no way it would open by itself. Must have been a fluke.
 
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