Opinel very sticky

J

jbib

Platinum Member
Platinum Member
Joined
Sep 21, 2012
Messages
687
What I'm asking may be heresy but ill sure know to never ask again. I have an Opinel that I have to absolutely break a nail to open. What can I do to make it easier to open? Perhaps not quite flipper easy but better. Thanks for any advice.
 
All mine were way too tight for my liking too. Here's what I did. It's heresy, but it worked for me.
1. Pop the lock ring off.
2. Take a large flat head screwdriver & gently pry apart the heavy steel ring around the end of the handle, where the pivot pin is; until it's to your liking.
3. Then pry open the lock ring a tad to make it easier to rotate.
4. Re install the lock ring.
 
Yes but you know how to use tools! That puts you at a distinct advantage. I'm concerned about just making one easier to open.
 
If you are somewhere with high humidity or if the knife gets wet often...

I'd put it in a 150°F oven for a few hours to pull the moisture from the wood. Then put some mineral oil in the bottom of a cup, take the knife and stick it upside down in the cup while still warm and let it sit for an hour or so.

Then wipe it all down and work the blade. Should loosen up nicely.
 
RickHuf said:
If you are somewhere with high humidity or if the knife gets wet often...

I'd put it in a 150°F oven for a few hours to pull the moisture from the wood. Then put some mineral oil in the bottom of a cup, take the knife and stick it upside down in the cup while still warm and let it sit for an hour or so.

Then wipe it all down and work the blade. Should loosen up nicely.
Click to expand...
A good coat of Renaissance Wax, or Butcher's Wax worked into the pivot area & blade channel area, will also help prevent the wood from absorbing moisture. Popping the lock ring off & loosening the pivot with a screwdriver will take about 5 minutes.
 
Another possibility:
The wood is slightly swolen from ambiant humidity or the pivot end got wet and hasn't completely dried yet.

Fast Dry With blade closed: Nuke for 1 minute.
(it won't spark or damage the microwave or heat the blade/lock ring/bolster. NOTE: the wood MAY be somewhat warm.) Repeat as necessary.

SLOW DRY; Blade CLOSED:
1) On a clear sunny day put in the sun for a few hours, or in the car; windows up; A/C off.
Don't put on the dash or in the glove compartment.

2) Set kitchen oven to lowest temperature (90 to 120° F*). "Bake" on center rack for 15 minutes, check action.
Bake an additional 5 minutes if needed, and recheck the action. Repeat the 5 minute bake time until satisfied with the action.

* The same or cooler as the ambiant temperature, depending on your location (Lost Wages, NV vicinity, and the mainland, South Florida (the FL. Keys are cooler. The all time Record High in Key West is only/just 99°F 🤯😳) for example) 120°F is cooler than in the car with windows up & A/C off.
You won't affect the heat treat.

SUPER-DUPER SLOW DRY:
Put the knife on an A/C outlet floor vent.
Check the action occasionaly. It may take several days using this method.

AFTER DRYING:
Melt some petrolium jelly or bee's wax, keep over just enough heat to keep liquid, and soak the pivot end to "moisture proof" the pivot end of the handle.
10 to 15 minutes should be sufficient for the petrolim jelly or bee's wax to absorb into the wood.
Wipe off the excess. (or use it to wax the rest of the handle.)
 
afishhunter said:
Another possibility:
The wood is slightly swolen from ambiant humidity or the pivot end got wet and hasn't completely dried yet.

Fast Dry With blade closed: Nuke for 1 minute.
(it won't spark or damage the microwave or heat the blade/lock ring/bolster. NOTE: the wood MAY be somewhat warm.) Repeat as necessary.

SLOW DRY; Blade CLOSED:
1) On a clear sunny day put in the sun for a few hours, or in the car; windows up; A/C off.
Don't put on the dash or in the glove compartment.

2) Set kitchen oven to lowest temperature (90 to 120° F*). "Bake" on center rack for 15 minutes, check action.
Bake an additional 5 minutes if needed, and recheck the action. Repeat the 5 minute bake time until satisfied with the action.

* The same or cooler as the ambiant temperature, depending on your location (Lost Wages, NV vicinity, and the mainland, South Florida (the FL. Keys are cooler. The all time Record High in Key West is only/just 99°F 🤯😳) for example) 120°F is cooler than in the car with windows up & A/C off.
You won't affect the heat treat.

SUPER-DUPER SLOW DRY:
Put the knife on an A/C outlet floor vent.
Check the action occasionaly. It may take several days using this method.

AFTER DRYING:
Melt some petrolium jelly or bee's wax, keep over just enough heat to keep liquid, and soak the pivot end to "moisture proof" the pivot end of the handle.
10 to 15 minutes should be sufficient for the petrolim jelly or bee's wax to absorb into the wood.
Wipe off the excess. (or use it to wax the rest of the handle.)
Click to expand...
Please do NOT put metal in the microwave! There is a great possibility of starting a fire if you do that.
 
Maybe try to do the opinel "Wack", traditionally slide the lock ring open. Then hold the knife by the lock ring and swing the end of the handle ( blade side down) by "wacking" it on a counter top. When you do this the blade will partially come out so you can pull it open. I'm sure you find a video on YouTube to see it visually.
 
Tyson A Wright said:
Please do NOT put metal in the microwave! There is a great possibility of starting a fire if you do that.
Click to expand...
50+ years & no fires or damaged/burnt out microwave ovens.
Metal pie plates and coffee cups, tea strainers/infusers, bowls, and a 6" cast iron skillet, all with food or beverage in it, have never given me a problem.
As long as no sharp corners/edges or sharp points = no sparks.

Balled/Crumpled aluminum foil will spark and is not recommended.
 
Last edited:
afishhunter said:
50+ years & no fires or damaged/burnt out microwave ovens.
Metal pie plates and coffee cups, tea strainers, bowls, and a 6" cast iron skillet, all with food or beverage in it, have never given me a problem.
As long as no sharp corners/edges or sharp points = no sparks.

Balled/Crumpled aluminum foil will spark and is not recommended.
Click to expand...

he is correct. garlic knots wrapped in tin foil was the one time that lesson needed to be taught...
 
The only opinels that are consistently non-sticky are the plastic handled ones. They still feel like the wooden ones in action, but you do not have to worry about them swelling or sticking.
 
calm said:
The only opinels that are consistently non-sticky are the plastic handled ones. They still feel like the wooden ones in action, but you do not have to worry about them swelling or sticking.
Click to expand...
True.
Shame they cost a couple multipals of the Beechwood versions ... and are not available with a Carbone blade. 🥺
 
tap the bottom of the Opinel on a hard surface, holding it by the ferrule. a table, a heel, the tip of a safety shoe will do the trick, and oil the axle. it should loosen up over time, it's wood!
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top