Opinel waterproofing?

J

jackknife

Joined
Oct 2, 2004
Messages
17,624
I've been carrying Opinel knives since about 1982 and I've tried diferent ways to waterproof. I've sanded them down bare and soaked them in linseed oil for a couple days then let them drip out and have an oil finish rubbed down now and then. I've taken the easy way and lightly sanded then brushed on a finish of spar varnish or urathane. They get pretty water resistant, but I was wondering if any of you had a more fool proof way?

I know its alot of trouble for a cheap knife, but I love the way they cut.
 
I'm interested to know too....how do you disassemble the opinel? How do I remove the locking collar and blade?
 
One that isn't waterproofed can tend to swell at the "hinge" end, and make it a bit stiff to open. All I did with mine was to soak oil into the end grain and the blade slot. I didn't do anything with the outside of the handle for a long while, until the original varnish began to "craze".
With thoughts of sanding it down, I tried something different first.... I just rubbed it gently with a household pan scourer. That took off the finest layer of varnish (it even leaves on the printed lettering - no problem!), and left me with a gorgeous "eggshell" finish.... still waterproof.

In fact, if ever I bought a new one.... the first thing I would do with it is give it the exact same treatment. But I can't see any good reason to buy a new one :) Mine is about 20 years old and its still one heck of a knife, and, I have never been able to get any of my knives as sharp as that one.

Rod
 
Opinel is great isnt it? I use linseed oil but I don't soak for days, I soak briefly and drip in cycles between drying and rub in and wipe off exessive oil.
Old linseed recipe - 1 time per day for a week then, 1 time per week for 1 month & then 1 time per month for year, after that maybe 1 time each year.
If it get sticky I wipe off and sand smooth before next application , it workd for me-
Martin
 
thanks Vincent, you know all the right links! ;)

now, please help me get some hendrixes! :D
 
spyken said:
now, please help me get some hendrixes! :D
Click to expand...

Sure.... like I tried to explain I have no special connection with Wayne Hendrix.

You can contact me closer to the next Blade Show and discuss picking up one of his knives during the show -
or
ask someone who lives near Allendale, SC to visit Wayne and buy a knife off him.
or
of course, you can always contact Wayne and Ruby Hendrix directly yourself to discuss and purchase a knife that way.......

http://www.hendrixknives.com/

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
 
spyken said:
I'm interested to know too....how do you disassemble the opinel? How do I remove the locking collar and blade?
Click to expand...

I find the collars on my 1 doz. or so Opinels, they are usually weak except 2, If I apply moderate down pressure on the blade even bare handed (get fingers out of way of blade !!! ) it will "pop off" the ring collar.
Martin
 
martin j said:
I find the collars on my 1 doz. or so Opinels, they are usually weak except 2, If I apply moderate down pressure on the blade even bare handed (get fingers out of way of blade !!! ) it will "pop off" the ring collar.
Click to expand...


That's interesting, thanks for that input.

I just tried with the two stainless (inox) steel Opinel #8 I have handy -
neither showed any signs of becoming unlocked
or even stress with their collars.

On my Opinels the collars are fairly tight and do not move "freely" -
requiring quite deliberate but modest effort to rotate.

While not doubting your problems and even though the majority of your Opinels seem to be like this -
I think, considering the long history and reputation of Opinels -
you might have some anomalys?

Are there others who have had problems with reliability of the Opinel locking collar?

--
Vincent

http://UnknownVincent.cjb.net
http://UnknownVT.cjb.net
 
I have never had a problem with the collars, I have removed some to file them a bit on the bottom so I could lock the blades closed (I have older Opinels), to remove I would stick the tip of a small flat screwdriver into the channel in the collar and pry it out (which could cause some scratches).

Luis
 
I find that with an Opinel all I can do is just keep up on good blade and handle maintenance. I just have to remember that my Opi is of an old design and has it's limitations.
 
Paraffin oil is used in Finland to protect sauna interior wood from rotting I believe. It's also good protective oil for steels. I've soaked the pivot portion in oil few times to smoothen out the knife.

So that could work.
 
Wow. A thread from 2004. That's bladeforums history!

Kind regards,

Jos
 
A.L. said:
Damn, didn't notice that.
Why do people have to dig these up?
Click to expand...

Most of the time it's someone new and they haven't learned any better, yet. No big deal...

The more I read about people's Opinels, the more I want one. Time to start saving some dough!:D
 
GregS said:
Most of the time it's someone new and they haven't learned any better, yet. No big deal...

The more I read about people's Opinels, the more I want one. Time to start saving some dough!:D
Click to expand...

It takes time and patience, but it will be definitely worth it! :D :thumbup:
 
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