Ring Lock Knives

S

satherton

Joined
Feb 28, 2000
Messages
79
As a collector of several different types of knives, I thought I was familiar with most types of locking mechanisms, but while considering a knife purchase for Father's Day, I noticed some interesting French made carbon steel ring lock knives in my most current Garrett Wade catalog. I have never had the opportunity to hold or see in person a ring lock knife. How does the locking mechanism work? Are they reasonably secure? The catalog makes no mention of the manufacturer of the knives. Any information anyone could provide would be greatly appreciated!

Steve
 
Hi

The main supplier of ring lock knives in France is called OPINEL go to the English web page www.opinel.co.uk see if you can find more info.

I have a no.6 Inox bladed knive with original wood handle and it serves me well (15 years)

Good luck
 
I'm willing to bet that half the members here have at least one Opinel, and they're very highly regarded.

The lock is quite secure; it blocks the blade from closing, and can only fail if you accidently turn it back (highly unlikely!) or apply so much pressure that you pop the ring off (likewise highly unlikely). They have convex-ground blades that cut like the devil, are lightweight and cheap.

I'm not familiar with that particular catalog, but you should be able to buy an Opinel for under $10 plus shipping. The No.6 seem smost popular, but I'm partial the the larger No.8 myself. Give one a try; if you're not thrilled with it, toss it in the toolbox as a beater. Hard to go wrong for $10!
 
the link above does not work! http://www.opinel.com/

yes the opinel knives are cheap and good for everyday work.
the ring-lock is really secure. the original opinel knife is a friction folder so if you do not engage the locking manually, (i have had the experience once) be prepared for blood. lots of blood. if you can, try to get the normal version (i.e. the version that does rust, not the inox thingy) it will get this really nice patina.
also the wooden handles are can be customized very well (i had the one with Beech wood). i reshaped the handle to fit my personal understanding of design.
 
The ringlocks in the Garret Wade catalog are Marjacq knives. I don’t have any experience with them, but I was thinking about buying one. They look pretty nice. Unfortunately, I believe they only use a 420 equivalent stainless steel. (The description in the Garret Wade catalog says the blades are “high carbon steel”, but I haven’t seen Marjacq knives offered in carbon steel anywhere else, so the catalog may be inaccurate.)

Opinels are great knives. They’re more common and a little less expensive. I’ve been carrying and using a No. 9 with a carbon steel blade quite a bit recently. Cold Steel also made a ringlock called the “Twistmaster”, but I’ve never owned one.

The ringlock is very simple and secure. It’s just a circular, metal ring around the bolster. There’s a slit in the ring for the blade to pass through. When the blade is opened, you twist the ring and the blade is prevented from closing. Here’s a review of the Twistmaster that has a pic of the knife locked open: http://www.oldjimbo.com/survival/tm.html
 
I haven't seen them listed in the Kershaw catalog, but several years ago Kershaw made an Opinel type knife with a plastic (or maybe polymer) handle with rubber inserts. I found out my mother still has the one I gave them and is saving it for me when they come back this way in the fall. I ended up giving them to people and forgetting to keep one for me. It was a light, sharp, and handy tool.

Just FYI so you can keep an eye out while building your collection ;) You know at some point you will need every variation of that pattern made.

Have fun.
 
I would personally stick with Opinel as they are known good knives. I agree that Opinel inox #6 is a great carry/cutter. The opinel #8 & #9 in carbon steel are good also. Also if you are right handed turn that twistring ring to the RIGHT so your thumb will actually tighten it during use. Left for lefties.:thumbup:
 
Wow! I didn't expect so many responses so soon! This information will really help with my decision. I'm always interested in knives or tools that are "different". It seems that the Garrett Wade company offers a no hassle warranty that is similar to what A.G. Russell offers his customers. I've ordered items from both companies and have always been pleased with their customer service and products.

Thanks again!

Steve
 
an opinel with carbon steel is about the most bang for the buck out there in knife world. light, sharp, and simple. cheap enough to buy several different sizes. later,ahgar
 
cerulean said:
The ringlocks in the Garret Wade catalog are Marjacq knives. I don’t have any experience with them, but I was thinking about buying one. They look pretty nice.
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Oh, crap.

Crap crap crap crap.

You just had to tell me that, and I just had to go Google "Marjacq", and now I've got yet another knife to put on the list!!!

;)
 
I have two number 6 Opinels, carbon and stainless. I keep the stainless in my lunch box.
 
I like the idea of having different sizes in the Opinel range, the No. 7 is the best fit for my hand (although I also sometimes carry No. 6). I used one to remove the sealant/adhesive on some old sliding glass shower doors when I moved into my house. The Opinel was the only blade I had thin and long enough to get between th old frame and the tub. Fully expected to snap the blade off (as had happened with some razor blades when I started the job), but the knife held up well except for some scratches on the blade. Checked out Garrett Wade on line after reading this post. While I was able to walk away from the ring locks, they had a good deal on Douk Douks which is now calling my name.
 
stevekt said:
I have two number 6 Opinels, carbon and stainless. I keep the stainless in my lunch box.
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The #6 locking Opinel in carbon or stainless is a real sleeper. Cliff Stamp said he carried the stainless model. Cliff knows his knives so, I got one! Really nice!:thumbup:
 
I carry a number 8 carbon almost every day... It's my food knife.

I use it to covertly de-animate peppers, cucumbers, cauliflower, etc. at work.

Just bring a bunch of fresh veggies, and then I have a nice plate full of veg-pieces at mealtime.

The only knife that compares for food is the long california clip on my Case Stockman. Not quite as nice for slicing, but great for paring. The clip is so narrow that it turns really well mid-cut.
 
Ordered the set of two Douk Douks from Garrett Wade, recieved my order in four days, good service. I like the design, stout blade strong spring, minimalist handle (kinda like a really skinny sodbuster). Like the Opinel, a good quality knife at a nice price. I'm impressed with the quality of these inexpensive French designs. I saw the ring lock in the catalog, and it looks to be a higher end version of the opinel design. Good choice for father's day.
 
Bartleby said:
Ordered the set of two Douk Douks from Garrett Wade, recieved my order in four days, good service. I like the design, stout blade strong spring, minimalist handle (kinda like a really skinny sodbuster).
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Thanks for the info! There are a lot of interesting tools and traditional knives in the Garret Wade catalog. I still haven’t bought anything from there because I’m afraid I’ll keep loading stuff into my shopping cart! :)

This brass handled Japanese folding knife looks pretty cool to me. Another Japanese folder from their catalog that I find appealing is this kiridashi type knife with a wood handle.
 
I thought about the brass handled Japanese knife also, but the larger Douk Douk is about the same size and has a spring. Springless knives take the notion of a slip joint a bit too far for my tastes. If you get either one, post your opinions, they both look very cool!
 
Bartleby said:
I thought about the brass handled Japanese knife also, but the larger Douk Douk is about the same size and has a spring. Springless knives take the notion of a slip joint a bit too far for my tastes. If you get either one, post your opinions, they both look very cool!
Click to expand...

I have two Douk Douk and one higonokami.
Both sorts are great knives but i prefer the douk douk : I feel more secrure using it, because of the spring. However, both knives are inexpensives, very sharp and easy to sharpen, low tech (that is nice sometimes to keep it simple), sheeple friendly and legal everywhare in the world.

My advice : get both!!
 
Just out of curiosity, Lapinot, since you are in France, how popular are the ringlocks in their native land? What type of knife is generally encountered most often in France today? Thanks for the input.
 
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