Replacement Opinel Locking Ring?

The Zieg

The Zieg

Gold Member
Joined
Jan 31, 2002
Messages
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A knife knoob forced open my wife's Opinel No. 8 with the ring closed, it pinged off into the great beyond, and now she wants to replace the ring. Are these available anywhere? Would anyone have one leftover from a tinkering job they would sell?

Zieg

Eric Paul Ziegler
Double E Farm
29111 Rawhide Court
Elizabeth CO 80107-6605
 
He must have one hell of a Kung-Fu grip, or fingernails of steel. Your best bet is having someone reply that has taken their ring off. I don't know of a way to buy one from opinel, but with the cost of the knife itself being so low, it's not terribly expensive to just buy another knife IMHO.
 
I'd be sending an e-mail to Opinel, telling them exactly what you posted and requesting a new ring.
 
Yeah, actually, try doing it. It's not hard at all. When my blades become too loose, I pop them off and give the pin a light rap with a hammer to tighten them up. Will try with Opinel. But if anyone here wants to let an old one go, let me know.

Zieg
 
Sorry,not an 8, but I have a #7 lock ring if anyone wants it.
Shoot me a PM or email to claim it.:)
 
I've been trying to beg, borrow, or steal a #8 locking ring for years now. I've e-mailed Opinel USA twice and been told they do not sell replacement parts.

If you figure a way, let me know.
 
I'd say just out of doing the right thing, the idiot knoob owes your wife a new Opinel.
 
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Shipping costs to the U.S.A. from Europe are likely $20+. Considering a new knife only costs about $15 or less, I think I can see why Opinel's not too anxious to send parts out for them. Doubt there's much demand for it, once customers find out how expensive it is to ship it. Low demand (relatively) would likely also preclude Opinel's USA distributors from stockpiling spare parts as well. At the price point, these knives are probably the most valuable 'throwaways' out there.

I'd just get a new knife, OR perhaps scan the 'auction site' for an old, worn-out No. 08 beater to be had for cheap, and steal a ring from it.


David
 
Obsessed with Edges said:
Shipping costs to the U.S.A. from Europe are likely $20+. Considering a new knife only costs about $15 or less, I think I can see why Opinel's not too anxious to send parts out for them. Doubt there's much demand for it, once customers find out how expensive it is to ship it. Low demand (relatively) would likely also preclude Opinel's USA distributors from stockpiling spare parts as well. At the price point, these knives are probably the most valuable 'throwaways' out there.

I'd just get a new knife, OR perhaps scan the 'auction site' for an old, worn-out No. 08 beater to be had for cheap, and steal a ring from it.


David
Click to expand...

This actually makes a lot of sense. I often overlook how good a value Opi's are.
 
Here is an old thread on British Blades where I homebrewed a locking ring.

http://www.britishblades.com/forums/showthread.php?15373-homebrew-opinel-locking-collar

My daughter made that lanyard when she was little for a father's day present. The stain is mostly vinegroon after soaking the sanded knife in tea to achieve the tannin. Anyway, you get the picture.

I used it at work in the day. Now I just want to put on a proper collar and weekend use it. I buy #8's and figure to use them up but these darn things are more durable than you think. :p I end up gifting them before that happens.
 
Well, I got my replacement locking ring at no cost, from Opinel, just for asking (in French, mind you). Used the email link on their website and told them my sob story. Biggest surprise: The ring appeared in my mailbox in about a week.

Zieg
 
I've gotten them from Opinel USA when making an order by phone and when buying other knives.

My understanding is that ordering another knife is a part of the secret.


It really is amazing just how those little suckers go, isn't it?

If you find the lock ring, please also pick up the bike wheel bearings that I've dropped on my barn floor. I'm convinced there is some sort of cosmic worm hole where dropped parts go and gather. Something like the island of misfit toys.
 
You can also go retro with your Opi and use it without the lock ring. They were originally friction folders after all, and the smallest sizes still are.

If the blade flops open and shut too easily, tap on the pin (lightly!) to tighten it up. (Extreme humidity, or occasional dunking in water to swell the wood, will also tighten the blade.)
 
AreBeeBee said:
You can also go retro with your Opi and use it without the lock ring. They were originally friction folders after all, and the smallest sizes still are.

If the blade flops open and shut too easily, tap on the pin (lightly!) to tighten it up. (Extreme humidity, or occasional dunking in water to swell the wood, will also tighten the blade.)
Click to expand...

:thumbup:

Zieg
 
AreBeeBee said:
You can also go retro with your Opi and use it without the lock ring. They were originally friction folders after all, and the smallest sizes still are.

If the blade flops open and shut too easily, tap on the pin (lightly!) to tighten it up. (Extreme humidity, or occasional dunking in water to swell the wood, will also tighten the blade.)
Click to expand...


I did that in the past as part of an experiment, and it worked out good. I snugged up the action, and for 98% of what I use a pocket knife for, the non locking friction folder did well. In fact, I actually wonder if a snug friction folder is maybe a bit safer than a slip joint, where if the slip joint is pushed past a certain point, it snaps shut. The friction folder needs to be pushed all the way down to fold up.
 
Zieg, glad to see my initial instincts were right, and you got your ring! About asking in French, do you speak French, or did you use some sort of a Translator?

Congrats on the replacement ring!
 
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