Question about the smaller Opinels

Railsplitter

Railsplitter

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I'm thinking about getting one of the smaller Opinels, maybe a #4 or #5 and I know that they do not have the locking ring. I have also read in a few places that Opinels are considered to be friction folders. This raises a couple of questions:

1. What exactly is a friction folder? (I should know this but I don't)

2. With the blade open, what is the "lockup" like on these smaller, non locking Opinels?

Thanks.
 
Hey Rick, I have never gone below a 6 for this very reason. I look forward to hearing the answers as well :)
 
On Opinels without the locking ring, there is no 'lockup'. In that sense, they are truly a friction folder, meaning the blade is held open or closed merely by the friction between the blade tang and the handle. The relative tightness of the fit might be adjusted by peening the pivot pin somewhat (if too loose). The larger Opinels are identical in that sense, if the locking ring is removed.
 
How does that work with edge trailing stropping? Is there any kind of extension off the tang to hold it open?
 
richstag said:
How does that work with edge trailing stropping? Is there any kind of extension off the tang to hold it open?
Click to expand...

Nope. No extended tang. I've occasionally noticed with my No. 08, if I don't lock the ring when stropping it, the blade sometimes will try to pivot closed a little bit. My stropping technique usually involves putting the tip of my index finger on the blade, so that helps to keep the blade from closing on me.
 
What I mentioned earlier, about peening the pivot pin to tighten up a loose one, might also involve slightly 'squeezing' the steel ferrule around the pivot end a little. I haven't tried it yet, but the ferrule is pretty stout. If a pivot was extremely loose, I don't know that peening the pin alone would significantly change that, unless it was enough to compress the ferrule. At any rate, being that it doesn't have a locking ring, I'd make sure to keep the pivot somewhat on the 'snug' side, one way or the other.

I'd think, if Opinel was wise about it, they might set these a little tighter at the factory, than with the locking models. That's just speculation and/or wishful thinking on my part. ;)
 
Rick,
as David mentioned, to know how it works, you just ned to pick a "lockng" Opinel and leave the ring in the open position.
I've grown up with friction folders myself. My personal view is that, if you cut with a proper move (not exerting tension onto, or beyond, the "handle-spine line", if I am making myself clear) the knife will not close, no matter if it's locked with a Virobloc, a backlock, a strong backspring.
Alot of care is used by custom makers who make friction folders in the amount of friction needed to open/close the blade. Opinels, if properly oiled, are on the smooth side of the spectrum, to my experience. Still, with proper use, I don't think you will even notice that the ring is not there. As a sidenote, I usually turn the ring in the "closed" position on my #6 only when I remember about it... :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Thanks for the pointers, guys. I am not really too concerned about the knife closing on me. I really just wanted to learn a little about them so I know what to expect. I think I am going to get a #4. I need a small knife to keep next to my recliner in the living room. I like the keyring models because I want to hang the knife from the lamp that sits right next to my chair. The lamp has a small horizontal arm on it and with a gate clip attached to the knife it would hang there real nice and it would be at arms reach whenever I need it.

Am I correct in thinking that friction folders, like these Opinels, have no snap when opening and closing the blade?
 
Rick,
it's pretty much like opening scissors. They have an "end" on one side, and an "end" on the other side, and in the middle they move when you move them, and if you don't touch them, they don't go anywhere. :D
You know, it's funny for me to realize that, for the average American knife user, a friction folder might feel absolutely weird for the lack of backspring and snap...just like it is for me to handle a knife with a stiff spring.
I'm sure you will like your Opinel...and forget soon about its lack of snap :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
Thank you for your comments, Fausto. I just ordered a #4 keychain version in stainless steel. I'll post some comments here when it arrives.
 
Rick,
I bet you will like it. Size is more or less like a Peanut (I guess). The steel is more than fine. We wait for your review :)

Fausto
:cool:
 
quattromori said:
Rick,
You know, it's funny for me to realize that, for the average American knife user, a friction folder might feel absolutely weird for the lack of backspring and snap...just like it is for me to handle a knife with a stiff spring.
I'm sure you will like your Opinel...and forget soon about its lack of snap :)

Fausto
:cool:
Click to expand...

Excellent point!

I got my first Opinel in 1982. It was weird, but once I got used to the "oh that's just the way they are" factor, I didn't even bother to use the lock a lot of the time. For a simple cutting job like a piece of rope or twine, I'd just open, use, then fold up and top back in pocket. Got very used to the friction folder style very easy. Kind of like using a strait razor, you use it in the parameters of it's design. Even these days when I'm carrying a number 7 or 8, I don't bother locking the blade, but just use carefully. Someitmes I'll be gently holding the blade between my thumb and index finger while making a careful cut. Remember, people have been using friction folders since the Romans. They are literally the oldest folding knife design. Lots of places, like Fausto's homeland, they are still being used to this day.

I had a smaller Opinel with no locking bolster, and kept it in my watch pocket. It was very handy for opening plastic envelopes, removing plastic clothing tags ties, and other small quick cutting jobs. MOst of the time we cut something, we don't really need much knife, at least much less than we think. Using a small Opinel is an eye opening experience is how much we don't need.

Carl.
 
I've found on my No#7 that when cleaning it, I got the handle wet where it meets the blade and it really tightened up the friction fit. I thought I had permanently swelled that area, but after it dried out, the friction fit returned to normal.
 
Gevonovich said:
I've found on my No#7 that when cleaning it, I got the handle wet where it meets the blade and it really tightened up the friction fit. I thought I had permanently swelled that area, but after it dried out, the friction fit returned to normal.
Click to expand...
Ya need to grease that thing when it's dry. I've washed mine off in the kitchen sink with very little, if any, swelling.
 
My little #4 Opinel arrived today so I thought I would post up a few pics.

It's just the right size that I was hoping for. I thought it might be too small but I knew the #5 would be too big. If I was going to carry this in my pocket it would be too small but it's perfect for hanging on that lamp that I mentioned earlier.

Nice little knife. It's my first Opinel and my first friction folder of any kind. The blade is super thin!:eek: I think I'm going to like it. Now I just need to rig up a quick release keychain attachment, hang it on my lamp, and anticipate tomorrow's mail so I can open some letters with it.

Thanks for all your help, folks!

IMG_1779.jpg


IMG_1781.jpg


IMG_1782.jpg
 
Rick, that's pretty darn cool. :thumbup:

I don't think I've seen any pics of that one in hand before; it really is compact. How's the opening/closing tension?
 
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