Opinel with a thumb stud!

S

Squashfan

Joined
Jun 6, 2012
Messages
1,670
I really, really like my Opinel but the lack of one handed opening really got on my nerves. So I fixed it! Really simple mod to do. If you put the qwik stud straight on the knife doesn't close. Simply cut a relief in the handle. I did the first one with a round file and an other one with a Dremel. Location and depth of the relief is up to you. For some reason, I did not want the stud to close to the lock ring but I can't remember why it mattered to me. I shimed my stud with a single ply piece of carboard on the screw side of the stud. It might not have been necessary but this way I knew the screw would be long enough, as it seems just a bit short on this thin of a blade. Also, the stud acts as a blade stop if you get depth right. This fixed the problem of the edge hitting the inside of the handle when closed on this knife. I think that is every thing. If you have a question, ask, and I will try to answer tomorrow.





 
Nice,I thought about trying a quick stud but figured the gap would be too much on the thin Opi blade.

I like that it'll keep the blade from hitting the handle when closed too,but I'd use something that won't absorb moisture for the shim stock.

Thanks for the post.
 
Not bad. If you break it in and get the pivot tension just right, you can flip an Opie open. Takes some practice not to bounce it, though. :D
 
I have a No.10 that with a way too tight pivot. I am thinking that I will someday remove the pivot and pull the blade so I can sand the pivot area very lightly.
 
Squashfan said:
I have a No.10 that with a way too tight pivot. I am thinking that I will someday remove the pivot and pull the blade so I can sand the pivot area very lightly.
Click to expand...

I did this to my No. 8 today. And I couldn't be more happy! Popped off the lock ring and knocked out the pivot and used 160 grit I believe and folded it where it fit snug between the handles. A light sanding and it opens so smooth now. I also filed a little on the blade where it pivots.
 
I finally got the pivot knocked out of my No. 10. It was hard to do! I suspect that I mushroomed the end of the pivot and that is why it was so hard to remove. But the pin finally gave and I flattened the tang of the blade while the knife was down. I found a thread on here last night on how to disassemble an Opinel. In the thread, I discovered that the inner ring actually controls the tension of the wood on the blade tang. So I was able to enlarge the ring and get the knife opening really nice. The locking ring is really tight to move though. I can move it but it starts to hurt after a couple of seconds. I will probably have to go back and work on ring some more.
 
The head of the pivot pin is the main factor controlling lock ring friction, unless you enlarged the bolster so much that it's rubbing on the lock ring. Make sure the pin is all the way seated. In my experience they tend to get damaged during removal, they're pretty soft.
 
okto said:
The head of the pivot pin is the main factor controlling lock ring friction, unless you enlarged the bolster so much that it's rubbing on the lock ring. Make sure the pin is all the way seated. In my experience they tend to get damaged during removal, they're pretty soft.
Click to expand...

I did have the bolster too large. This knife came to me really, really tight. I have unsuccessfully tried flattening the pivot head with a hammer. Any tips?
 
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Squashfan said:
Any tips?
Click to expand...
I usually just replace the pin, unless it's in really good shape. A 6d (or 4d,i can't remember off the top of my head) nail is about the right size for the pivot pin, you can either grind down the head of a framing nail or use a finish nail.
 
okto said:
I usually just replace the pin, unless it's in really good shape. A 6d (or 4d,i can't remember off the top of my head) nail is about the right size for the pivot pin, you can either grind down the head of a framing nail or use a finish nail.
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Gah, left an "un" off of "successfully". I will remember that nail tip the next time I have an Opinel down. I suspect my problem is that the pivot head is too proud vs the bolster. I already have the knife back together... Maybe I could grind the head of the pivot down? I guess that would work. But I would have to go slow so as not to overheat the pivot since I can't really dunk the whole knife in water.
 
Squashfan said:
I suspect my problem is that the pivot head is too proud vs the bolster.
Click to expand...
That may be. My 2001-vintage 8 has a countersunk pivot hole on the pivot head side, which makes it sit lower.
I can't tell if it was cut that way or dimpled when the pin was peened.
 
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